Iskolar ng Bayan Program 2027: Requirements, Benefits

What is the Iskolar ng Bayan Program?

The Iskolar ng Bayan Program implements Republic Act No. 10648, the law providing scholarship grants to top graduates of public high schools in state universities and colleges. For UP applicants, it gives eligible public senior high school graduates in the Top 10 an additional route to be considered for admission and financial support.

This is not the same as a CHED Scholarship, Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES), Tulong Dunong Program (TDP), DOST scholarship or OWWA scholarship. UP manages its own INB process, while other programs have separate agencies, forms and deadlines.

Who may apply?

Based on UP’s current instructions, an applicant generally must:

Be a Filipino graduate of a Philippine public senior high school.
Rank in the Top 10 of the graduating batch, supported by a certification signed by the school principal or school head.
Have taken the UPCAT in the relevant cycle, unless the campus instructs a previous-cycle, deferred or paper-based applicant to file through its Office of Student Affairs/Student Services.
Have no UP degree offer in the applicable appeals stage, where required by the current DIWA notice.
Meet the University Predicted Grade (UPG) minimum or cutoff set for the selected UP unit.
Satisfy the admission and subject requirements of the degree program chosen.
Compete for a limited number of slots available at the campus or unit.

Private-school graduates are not covered by this Top 10 public-school route. A student who already has a UP degree offer should follow the instructions attached to that offer instead of assuming INB is a second application channel.

Where can an INB applicant apply?

An eligible applicant may apply to a UP unit in the same region as the public high school. UP Open University (UPOU) is an exception to the same-region rule. The final choice still depends on available slots, UPG, degree requirements and the unit’s current instructions.

INB is an opportunity for consideration; it is not automatic admission to any campus or course.

Iskolar ng Bayan Program 2026 schedule

For AY 2026–2027, the official DIWA notice listed the following dates:

Activity	AY 2026–2027 date
INB application period	June 10–11, 2026
Results released	June 17, 2026
Offer-reply deadline	June 18, 2026, 11:59 p.m.

Those dates have already passed. UP may publish a different schedule for the next cycle, so applicants should monitor diwa.up.edu.ph and upcat.up.edu.ph rather than rely on recycled social-media posts.

How to apply through DIWA

Step 1: Check the official announcement

Read the INB notice on the UP CAT website or DIWA portal. Confirm the cycle, eligibility wording, eligible UP units and submission deadline.

Step 2: Prepare the Top 10 certification

Ask the principal or school head to issue a certification stating the applicant’s rank in the graduating batch. The signature and school details must be clear. Keep a scanned PDF or image that is readable on a phone.

Step 3: Open the INB option in DIWA

For the current UPCAT cycle, qualifying applicants use the INB option in the DIWA portal linked to the UPCAT portal. Complete every required field and select only units and degree programs for which the applicant can meet the stated requirements.

Step 4: Upload and review

Upload the signed Top 10 certification and any other document requested by the portal or campus. Before submitting, check spelling, applicant number, school name, file legibility and program choices.

Step 5: Submit once and save proof

Download or screenshot the confirmation page. The current DIWA notice warns that submitting an INB application can affect eligibility for the first batch of general appeals, and the application cannot simply be withdrawn afterward. Read that year’s notice before clicking submit.

Step 6: Monitor the result and reply on time

Check the DIWA account and registered email. If an offer is issued, follow the reply instructions before the exact deadline. A missed reply can result in the offer being forfeited.

Documents to prepare

The signed Top 10 certification is the key INB document. A campus may also request documents commonly used in admissions, such as:

UPCAT applicant number or UPG record;
report card or Form 138;
certificate of graduation;
birth certificate or valid government ID; and
other documents required by the chosen UP unit or degree program.

Document rules can change. Upload only through the official portal or a verified UP office address.

What benefits does the program provide?

The program’s practical value is the additional admissions opportunity for qualified public-school Top 10 graduates, together with scholarship support under RA 10648 and applicable higher-education laws and UP/SUC rules. This may include free tuition and other school fees where the student qualifies under the governing law and campus policy.

Do not assume that every INB student receives the same cash allowance, dormitory grant or monthly stipend. Benefits, renewal conditions and non-tuition aid can vary. Ask the selected campus for the current award notice and financial-aid terms.

Common mistakes that can cost an applicant a slot

Treating INB as automatic admission.
Uploading a ranking letter without a principal or school-head signature.
Applying through an unofficial “registration” page or paying a fixer.
Choosing a degree program without checking its subject requirements.
Missing the reply deadline after receiving an offer.
Assuming an old Facebook post has the same dates as the new cycle.
Confusing INB with CHED TES, TDP or another scholarship.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Iskolar ng Bayan Program a full scholarship?

It is a scholarship and admissions pathway, but the exact tuition, school-fee and other support depends on the applicable law and UP/campus rules. Confirm the award terms with the campus.

Is there an income limit?

The Top 10 INB eligibility description focuses on public-school status, rank, UP admission requirements and available slots. Do not substitute the income rules of another scholarship. Check the current UP notice for any additional requirement.

Can I apply if I did not receive a UP degree offer?

The current DIWA notice specifically allows eligible Top 10 public senior high school applicants without a degree offer to apply during the INB window, subject to UPG, degree requirements and slots.

Can I apply to any UP campus?

Normally, the selected UP unit must be in the same region as the public high school. UPOU is an exception. Campus availability and program requirements still apply.

What if I took UPCAT in an earlier year or used a paper form?

UP’s instructions direct previous-cycle, deferred or paper-based applicants to contact the proper campus Office of Student Affairs or Office of Student Services. Do not create a duplicate account unless UP instructs you to do so.

Where do I verify the next deadline?

Use the official UPCAT website and DIWA portal. If your question is case-specific, contact UP’s Office of Student Development Services or the selected campus office using contact details published on an official UP page.

Bottom line

The Iskolar ng Bayan Program can open a valuable UP pathway for a Top 10 graduate of a public senior high school, but preparation matters. Secure the signed certification early, verify the correct DIWA window, check degree requirements and read the submission warning before applying. Dates and campus instructions change from cycle to cycle, so official UP sources should always be the final authority.

Editorial note: This guide is independently published for student information and is not an official UP or CHED announcement. Always verify current rules with UP before submitting personal documents.

Iskolar ng Bayan Program 2027: Requirements, Benefits and How to Apply