- The Municipality of Cainta’s One Cainta College Scholarship Program is open from January 15 to May 31, 2026 for bonafide Cainta residents in the tertiary level.
- Selection is based on three criteria: a face-to-face qualifying exam (40%), Statement of Purpose (30%), and portfolio submission (30%).
- Results are expected to be released in August or September 2026 through the One Cainta Youth Development Facebook page.
If you’re a college student or an incoming freshman living in Cainta, Rizal, your local government is offering a scholarship that goes beyond grades.
The One Cainta College Scholarship Program for SY 2026–2027 is now officially open. Unlike most scholarships that rely purely on your GPA or family income, the Cainta scholarship uses a three-part selection process: a qualifying exam, a written Statement of Purpose, and a portfolio of your achievements. Every component counts and knowing how to prepare for each one gives you a real edge.
Applications close on May 31, 2026. Here’s everything you need to know.
Who can apply?
The One Cainta Scholarship is open to:
- Bonafide residents of Cainta – you must actually live in the municipality
- Currently enrolled college students or incoming college freshmen
- Any course, gender, race, or religion – the program is explicitly non-discriminatory
The Senior High School Scholarship program is currently under review and temporarily unavailable. This article covers the College Program.
How are scholars selected?
This is what makes the Cainta scholarship different from most. Your selection is based on three equally important components not just your grades:
| Component | Weight |
|---|---|
| Face-to-face qualifying examination | 40% |
| Statement of Purpose (SOP) | 30% |
| Portfolio | 30% |
Each of these needs proper preparation. Let’s look at them one by one.
Read Also: Ayala Foundation Scholarship
Component 1: The qualifying exam (40%)
The exam is conducted in person, typically on Saturday mornings. Once you complete your application, you’ll receive an email with your specific exam schedule, including the exact date, time, and materials to bring.
Missing your assigned exam schedule may result in automatic disqualification. There are no make-up exams, so treat the schedule email as your most important notification to watch for.
The exam covers four areas:
- General Knowledge – current events, general science, basic facts
- Abstract Reasoning – pattern recognition and logical thinking
- Verbal and Logical Reasoning – reading comprehension and deductive reasoning
- Philippine History – key events, figures, and timelines in Philippine history
How to prepare: Since this exam is worth 40% of your total score, it carries the most weight. Review Philippine history timelines, practice abstract reasoning drills online, and stay updated on current events. Treat it the way you would a college entrance exam.
Component 2: Statement of Purpose (30%)
Your SOP is a written explanation of who you are, where you’re headed, and why you deserve this scholarship. It’s not a formality- it’s worth 30% of your total score and is one of the few chances you have to speak directly to the selection committee.
Your SOP must cover these five parts:
Introduction
Who are you? What are you studying, and why are you applying for this scholarship?
Academic and professional background
What have you accomplished so far? Highlight relevant coursework, achievements, and any projects or experiences that show your dedication to your field.
Career goals
Where do you want to go? Be specific about what profession or field you’re targeting and why.
Why this scholarship
Why the One Cainta Scholarship specifically? What about it aligns with your goals and what does it mean to you as a Cainta resident?
Conclusion
End confidently. How will you use this opportunity to contribute not just to your own career, but to Cainta and the country?
Read Also: Security Bank Scholarship
Tips for a strong SOP:
- Write in your own voice. Selection committees can tell when an SOP is copied or over-polished by someone else.
- Be specific. “I want to be a nurse to help people” is weaker than “I want to specialize in community health nursing and eventually work in Cainta’s rural health unit.”
- Keep it focused. Every sentence should either describe where you’ve been or where you’re going.
For the official SOP template and rubrics, visit: https://tinyurl.com/CaintaScholarshipRubrics
Component 3: Portfolio (30%)
Your portfolio is a collection of evidence that you’re more than your grades. It shows what you’ve done, what you care about, and what kind of person you are outside the classroom.
What to include:
- Certificates of awards or accomplishments (academic, civic, sports, arts)
- Relevant projects or outputs essays, artwork, research papers, creative work
- Extracurricular activities and community involvement
Tips for a strong portfolio:
- Organize it clearly. Group similar items together and label everything.
- Quality over quantity. Ten well-chosen pieces beat a disorganized stack of 30.
- Include community work. Since the scholarship aims to produce graduates who will serve Cainta, involvement in your barangay or local community is a genuine plus.
- Use the rubrics. The scoring guide is available at https://tinyurl.com/CaintaScholarshipRubrics read it before you finalize your portfolio so you know exactly what the committee is looking for.
What documents do you need before applying?
Prepare these before you open the application form you’ll need to upload them directly:
- Latest School Registration Form
- Latest official receipt issued by your school or proof of payment (for state university students, your registration form suffices)
- Latest School ID or any government-issued ID
- Latest Summary of Grades
- Completed Statement of Purpose (written and ready to upload)
- Completed Portfolio (organized and ready to upload)
All files must be in .pdf or .jpeg format. Make sure scans and photos are clear blurry documents slow down processing and may affect your application.
How to apply for the One Cainta Scholarship
Step 1: Prepare all your documents
Complete your SOP and portfolio first. These take the most time, and you cannot submit the form without them.
Step 2: Fill out the online application form
Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/CaintaCollegeScholarshipApp
Make sure your email address is active and correct – all exam schedules, updates, and results will be sent through email.
Step 3: Wait for your exam schedule
After submitting, watch your inbox for an email containing your qualifying exam schedule, including the date, time, venue, and materials needed.
Step 4: Take the qualifying exam
Show up on your assigned date. Bring all required materials listed in the schedule email. Failure to appear may result in disqualification.
Step 5: Wait for results
Results are expected in August or September 2026. Updates will be posted on the One Cainta Youth Development Facebook page. Keep following that page and check your email regularly.
Application Period
| Application | Dates |
|---|---|
| Application opens | January 15, 2026 |
| Application deadline | May 31, 2026 |
| Qualifying exam | Saturday mornings (schedule sent via email) |
| Results release | August – September 2026 |
Conclusion
The One Cainta Scholarship is designed for students who can show their full potential not just through grades, but through how they think, what they’ve done, and where they’re going. The qualifying exam, SOP, and portfolio each tell a different part of your story.
If you live in Cainta and you’re serious about college, start writing that SOP today. The deadline is May 31 – and the selection committee is looking for students who are ready to give back.
Source: One Cainta Youth Development Office (CYDO), Municipality of Cainta
