University of the Philippines campus in Diliman, Quezon City. ABS-CBN News/File 

MANILA — The University of the Philippines (UP) said on Tuesday that it will provide financial and educational assistance to 300 UP College Admission Test (UPCAT) 2025 qualifiers from far-flung communities through its Lingap Iskolar Program.

Now on its second year, the Lingap Iskolar Program is a joint initiative of the UP Office of the President and the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA) launched on May 31, 2024.

It aims to provide assistance for UPCAT qualifiers from geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) and low-income families in need of financial assistance to cover expenses in the university.

Since its inception, the program has provided P165,000 financial aid for each of the 194 scholars for the academic year 2024-2025.

UP said that it "stands to open its doors wider for brilliant young UPCAT qualifiers" from the most remote and underserved areas, whose socio-economic backgrounds outweigh the opportunity of studying in the state university.

“Every year, we see too many brilliant young Filipinos—top of their class, full of potential—decide not to pursue their UP dream. And every year, that breaks our heart,” university president Angelo Jimenez said.

The university announced that 55% of this year's UPCAT qualifiers came from public schools while more than 21% come from families with an annual income of P200,000 or below.

55 percent of UPCAT 2025 passers from public schools

The Lingap Iskolar Program seeks to address the financial restraints posed by the expenses of living away from home such as renting a dorm room, paying for daily meals, and the transport costs, even with RA 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, said Jimenez.

He recalled that around 1,500 qualifiers fail to push through their enrolment due to GIDA reasons each year. 

Lingap Iskolar Program consists of different kinds of assistance aside from financial aid. Vice President for Academic Affairs Leo Cubillan explained that its sub-programs like “Lingap Hapunan” and bridging academic programs are established to aid incoming freshmen from GIDA.

UP Office of Student Development Services Director Tristan Nathaniel Ramos said that the program will help in covering each scholar’s expenses in the university like housing accomodation, food, connectivity, book, and transportation allowances. A one-time 10,000 pesos relocating allowance is provided for students coming from remote provinces.

UP Office of Admissions Director Francisco De Los Reyes announced that qualified scholars for the Lingap Iskolar Program 2025 will be contacted by their office via email. Further announcements for available slots will be announced via the university’s official channels.

The university has allotted funds for scholars considered based on their geographic location and economic background.

As further support, UP announced the salary increase for student and graduate assistants by at least 35 to 50 percent, the first salary hike in the past decade.

UP said it believes that with Lingap Iskolar Program and the better-compensated job opportunities providing financial assistance and economic relief, they are committing to the mission in ensuring that ‘every deserving Filipino student’ will have access to quality UP education.

“To our students, current and future: UP is your university. It is your home, your platform, your training ground–and one day it will be your legacy to carry forward,” Jimenez affirmed.

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55 percent of UPCAT 2025 passers from public schools