Landbank Supports University of the Philippines Students
MANILA, Philippines — Financial assistance will be available for students who pass the 2026 University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT), ensuring that deserving but financially challenged applicants can pursue their education at the country’s premier state university. This initiative reflects a growing commitment to make higher education more inclusive and accessible.
The Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) has pledged support for UP’s Lingap Iskolar Program by donating funds, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two institutions. This partnership underlines a shared mission to provide equal opportunities for students from all backgrounds.
“We are bringing in students not because they simply qualify, but because they need help,” UP President Angelo Jimenez said, emphasizing the program’s goal to aid those who face financial barriers despite academic qualifications.
The donations will come from Landbank employees, pooling resources to sustain the Lingap Iskolar Program. Landbank’s executive vice president Leila Martin highlighted that this collaboration deepens the ongoing efforts to promote quality education through mutual support.
Expanded Support for Students and Academic Programs
Beyond financial aid, the MOU includes Landbank’s sponsorship of four professorial chair grants. The bank will also assist in the UPCAT information campaigns, provide free transportation for test takers to and from exam centers, and collaborate on the Expanded Cash Lite-Campus Program. These efforts aim to ease students’ burdens and improve access to educational resources.
President Jimenez noted that Landbank’s support strengthens UP’s flagship inclusive admission program and offers students from underserved communities a genuine chance to succeed in their studies.
Lingap Iskolar Program: A Lifeline for Disadvantaged Students
Launched last year by UP’s Office of the President and the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Lingap Iskolar Program targets first-year students from geographically isolated and low-income areas. These students often qualify for UP but opt out due to financial challenges.
The program assists those whose family income does not exceed P135,000 annually and who lack other scholarship support. Despite free tuition under Republic Act No. 10931, the cost of living—housing, meals, transportation—remains a significant hurdle for many families.
“Our mission is to ensure that every deserving Filipino student, regardless of socioeconomic background or circumstance, should have access to quality UP education,” Jimenez said. “We are strongly committed to becoming a better mirror of the country we serve.”
Addressing the Enrollment Gap Among Qualifiers
Each year, around 18,000 students pass the UPCAT, but approximately 1,500 qualifiers from remote provinces do not enroll in any of the 17 UP campuses nationwide. Jimenez expressed concern over the lost potential of many bright young Filipinos who decide against pursuing their UP education due to financial constraints.
“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,” Jimenez said. “The Lingap Iskolar Program is our promise that we will do better by them. That a UP education will be truly within reach, wherever they come from.”
Last year, the program granted financial aid averaging P165,000 each to 194 Lingap scholars, along with mentoring support coordinated by the Office of Student Affairs. For 2026 passers, UP has allocated funds to assist 300 new Lingap scholars.
The UPCAT was held in 117 testing centers nationwide from August 2 to 3. With an initial budget of P50 million set by the Jimenez administration in 2024, the Lingap Iskolar Program provides housing, food, communication, transportation, and educational materials assistance to qualifying students.
How to Apply for the Lingap Iskolar Program
Students interested in the Lingap Iskolar Program should coordinate with the UP Office of Student Development Services or their respective Constituent University’s Office of Student Affairs during the confirmation period set by the UP Office of Admissions.
For more news and updates on University of the Philippines students, visit Filipinokami.com.
