College students in San Rafael, Bulacan have a major opportunity to secure funding for the upcoming semester, but navigating the paperwork comes with high stakes.
The local government has officially opened applications for the Mayor Cipriano D. Violago, Jr. Scholarship Program widely known as the Iskolar ng Bayan Scholarship for the First Semester of S.Y. 2026-2027.
While the financial support can drastically ease the burden of tuition and school expenses, municipal evaluation committees are enforcing zero-tolerance rules for incomplete or incorrectly formatted submissions.
If you plan on applying before the strict August 5, 2026 deadline, there are a handful of easily missed requirements that could cause your folder to be rejected on sight.
The ‘Hidden’ Disqualification Traps to Watch For
Before gathering your transcripts, you must understand the structural limits placed on this year’s application cycle:
- The Household Cap: The program strictly limits access to one scholar per family. If a sibling is currently benefiting from a local government unit (LGU) scholarship, your application will be flagged and denied.
- The No-Handwriting Mandate: The official application form cannot be filled out with a pen. The LGU requires the document to be entirely typewritten on your digital device before printing.
- The Paper Size Filter: Once digitally filled out, the form must be printed exclusively on long-size bond paper (8.5″ x 13″). Standard A4 or short coupon prints face immediate disqualification.
- The Re-Application Clause: If you are a returning scholar, do not assume your funding automatically rolls over. Old scholars must submit a complete, brand-new application packet alongside incoming freshmen.
Are You Eligible?
To pass the baseline screening, applicants must prove they meet these academic and residency benchmarks:
- A bona fide resident status in San Rafael, Bulacan.
- Active enrollment at any accredited college or university.
- A general weighted average of 85% or above (equivalent to 2.25 or better), with absolutely no failing grades or dropped academic subjects on your record.
- For children of solo parents: You must provide a clear photocopy of a valid Solo Parent ID that has been issued or renewed within the last 12 months.
READ: Tito Sotto Scholarship
Document Checklists: Freshmen vs. Continuing Students
The compilation process takes time, especially when dealing with registrar offices and barangay halls. Do not leave these documents until the final week.
For Incoming Freshmen
If you are transitioning from senior high school to your first semester of college, your folder must contain:
- Form & Request: Your digitally typewritten application form printed on long bond paper, paired with a formal, personal request letter written by you and addressed directly to Mayor Cipriano D. Violago, Jr.
- Academic Proof: A Certified True Copy (CTC) of your final report card displaying a general average of 85% or higher, officially signed and stamped by your graduating high school’s administration.
- Registration: A clear photocopy of your official Certificate of Registration (COR) for the 1st Semester of S.Y. 2026-2027.
- Identity & Background: An original Barangay Certificate of Indigency, alongside a photocopy of your School ID or any government-issued identification card bearing three original specimen signatures signed directly on the paper.
For 2nd Year Students and Above
Continuing college students must provide a more rigorous look into their past academic year:
- Dual-Semester Proof: You must submit your current COR (1st Semester, S.Y. 2026-2027) plus your previous enrollment proof (COR for the 2nd Semester, S.Y. 2025-2026).
- The COG Warning: An official, Certified True Copy of your Certificate of Grades (COG) covering the 2nd Semester of S.Y. 2025-2026. Uncertified grade printouts or screenshots from student portals will be rejected immediately.
- Local Credentials: An original Barangay Certificate of Indigency, your personal request letter to Mayor Cipriano D. Violago, Jr., and a photocopy of your valid student ID/government ID complete with three specimen signatures.
Where and When to Submit Your application
The submission window runs from July 6 through August 5, 2026. Because the screening staff will not accept incomplete folders under any circumstances, you must personally drop off your finalized document bundle to:
General Services Office (GSO)
Ground Floor, Municipal Hall
San Rafael Government Center, Brgy. Sampaloc, San Rafael, Bulacan
Next Steps: The Qualifying Exam
Securing your paperwork is only phase one. Once the August 5 deadline passes and documents are verified, qualified applicants will be required to take a competitive qualifying examination.
The exact dates, room assignments, and testing protocols will be posted exclusively via the official San Rafael LGU digital channels. Download the official document template through the LGU Application Link to begin typing your application.
