The University of the Philippines Diliman campus. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA -- The University of the Philippines (UP) began Monday accepting applications for its college admissions test (UPCAT), adding it would offer financial assistance to successful applicants from low-income backgrounds.

The state university will accept applications for incoming freshmen for Academic Year 2026 to 2027 until March 31, it said in a statement.

Eligible applicants include Grade 11 students from Academic Year 2024-2025 and Grade 12 students who have not taken the UPCAT in previous years.

The UPCAT — considered as one of the toughest entrance exams in the country — is set to take place from August 2 to 3, 2025 in 116 testing sites, including newly-established locations in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, and Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental.

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Grade 11 applicants must have their eligibility confirmed by their schools in the Form 2A online portal by April 4 while the form 2B should be accomplished from August 4 to 25. The test permits will be sent to the respective applicants’ online portal by July.

UP also announced it would provide financial aid to exam passers from low-income backgrounds and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, marking the second consecutive year it will offer this support.

This support will be provided through the Lingap Iskolar Program, which aims to assist deserving UPCAT passers with an annual family income of P135,000 or below, and who are not receiving other scholarships.

With an initial budget of P50 million, the program aims to provide housing, food, communication, transportation, and educational materials assistance, the university said.

Students can also avail of mentoring programs and apply for the Student Assistant Work (SAGA) Program for additional financial aid.

"These programs are part of UP’s mission to democratize access to education and uplift marginalized students," UP President Angelo Jimenez said.

Nearly 200 students from various UP campuses benefited from the Lingap Iskolar program in Academic Year 2024 to 2025, according to the university.

Further details on the UPCAT 2026 are available on the UP Office of Admissions' website (upcat2026online.up.edu.ph) and UP’s social media pages. Meanwhile, information on the Lingap Iskolar and SAGA Program can also be found on UP’s official website.