You’ll need seven documents to apply for the SM College Scholarship.
The SM College Scholarship Documentary Requirements include your parent’s or guardian’s income document and Cedula, your Grade 12 first-semester report card, your Birth Certificate, a 2×2 ID picture, and a sketch of your home to the nearest SM Mall.
Below, you’ll find which income document fits your family, and exactly how to prepare and submit everything online.
Overview
Requirements to Prepare
You’ll fill out an online application form, then upload the documents below as attachments.
The Documents You’ll Need
- The filled-out online application form
- Your parent’s or guardian’s latest Income Tax Return, or a Certification of Non-Filing of Income, or a Certificate of Indigency
- Your parent’s or guardian’s Cedula
- Your Grade 12 report card for the first semester
- Your Birth Certificate
- A 2×2 ID picture
- A sketch of your home showing the way to the nearest SM Mall
Quick Look
| Requirement | What you’ll prepare |
|---|---|
| Online Application Form | The filled-out form itself |
| Income Document | Latest ITR, or a Certification of Non-Filing of Income, or a Certificate of Indigency |
| Cedula | Your parent’s or guardian’s Cedula |
| Report Card | Your Grade 12 first-semester report card |
| Birth Certificate | Your own Birth Certificate |
| ID Picture | A 2×2 ID picture |
| Home Sketch | A sketch of your home showing the way to the nearest SM Mall |
Your Parent’s or Guardian’s Cedula
You’ll need your parent’s or guardian’s Cedula, also called a Community Tax Certificate.
This one is for your parent or guardian, not for you as the student.
Before you upload it, it helps to check that the name and other details are easy to read.
Grade 12 Report Card
You’ll need your Grade 12 report card for the first semester.
This is also how SM Foundation checks your grades. They ask for a General Weighted Average, or GWA, of at least 92 percent (or its equivalent) for that first semester.
If you don’t have a copy yet, your school can tell you how to request one.
Birth Certificate
You’ll need a Birth Certificate.
SM Foundation’s published requirement just says “Birth Certificate.” It doesn’t specifically say the copy has to be from PSA.
If the online application gives you a more specific instruction, you can follow that instead.
2×2 ID Picture
You’ll also need a 2×2 ID picture.
The public requirements don’t mention a specific background color.
If the application system gives you extra photo instructions, it’s best to follow those.
Sketch of Your Home to the Nearest SM Mall
You’ll need a sketch showing your home and the way to the nearest SM Mall.
This one’s a little different from the usual school or government documents, but it’s genuinely part of SM Foundation’s official list.
There’s no single required drawing style. If the online application gives you more guidance, you can use that as your reference.
Which Proof of Income Do You Need?
SM Foundation lists the income requirement as one of three options:
- your parent’s or guardian’s latest Income Tax Return (ITR)
- a Certification of Non-Filing of Income
- a Certificate of Indigency
The public scholarship page lists these three together, without spelling out every possible family situation.
If Your Parent or Guardian Files an ITR
You’ll use their latest Income Tax Return.
If this fits your family, it helps to check that the important details are complete and easy to read.
If Your Parent or Guardian Doesn’t File an ITR
You’ll use a Certification of Non-Filing of Income instead.
If this is the one that applies to you, it’s worth following any extra instructions shown in the application system.
If You’re Using a Certificate of Indigency
This works too, as long as it has the correct information for your parent or guardian.
If you’re not sure which of the three fits your situation, it’s better to check the current application instructions or ask SM Foundation directly, rather than guessing.
Where to Get the Requirements
| Requirement | Where to get or prepare it |
|---|---|
| Online Application Form | The SM Scholarship online application system |
| Latest ITR | Your parent’s or guardian’s own tax records |
| Certification of Non-Filing of Income | The office or process that issues it |
| Certificate of Indigency | Your local office that handles this certificate |
| Parent’s or Guardian’s Cedula | The local office that issues Community Tax Certificates |
| Grade 12 Report Card | Your school |
| Birth Certificate | Wherever your civil registry record is kept |
| 2×2 ID Picture | Any photo provider |
| Home Sketch | You make this yourself |
If the scholarship portal gives you a more specific instruction for any of these, it’s best to follow what’s shown there.
How Long Does It Take to Get the Requirements?
There’s no single waiting time for everything. It depends on which documents you already have, and which ones you still need to request.
| Requirement | What may affect the wait |
|---|---|
| Income Document | Which one applies to your parent or guardian |
| Cedula | Your local issuing office’s process |
| Grade 12 Report Card | Your school’s process |
| Birth Certificate | Whether you already have a copy |
| 2×2 ID Picture | Your chosen photo provider |
| Home Sketch | You can prepare this yourself, right away |
If you still need a school or income document, it helps to start early in case anything needs correcting.
How Much Do the Requirements Cost?
| Requirement | Cost |
|---|---|
| Online Application Form | Free |
| Income Document (ITR, Non-Filing Certification, or Indigency Certificate) | Depends on which one applies, and the office issuing it |
| Cedula | Check with your local issuing office |
| Grade 12 Report Card | Check with your school |
| Birth Certificate | Depends on where you get it |
| 2×2 ID Picture | Depends on your photo provider |
| Home Sketch | Free, since you make it yourself |
Fees can differ from one office or provider to the next, so it’s worth asking directly before you pay anything.
How to Prepare and Submit the Requirements
You can get your documents ready before you even start the online application.
1. Check Whether the Scholarship Fits Your Situation
Before spending time gathering documents, it helps to check your Grade 10 school background, your Grade 12 grades, your household income, your location, your preferred course, and your target school against the scholarship’s requirements.
2. Prepare Your Parent’s or Guardian’s Income Document
Get ready whichever one applies: the latest ITR, a Certification of Non-Filing of Income, or a Certificate of Indigency.
If you’re not sure which one fits, it’s worth confirming before you upload anything.
3. Prepare Your Parent’s or Guardian’s Cedula
Just double check it belongs to your parent or guardian, not to you.
4. Prepare Your Grade 12 First-Semester Report Card
This should show your first-semester grades specifically.
5. Prepare Your Birth Certificate
A complete, easy-to-read copy is what you’ll need.
6. Prepare Your 2×2 ID Picture
Get it ready in whatever file format the online system asks for.
7. Prepare Your Home Sketch
This should show your home and the way to the nearest SM Mall.
8. Fill Out the Online Application
You can complete the form through the official SM Scholarship online application system, and upload your documents there.
9. Look Everything Over Before You Submit
Before hitting submit, it helps to check that your personal information is correct, your documents are easy to read, your income document and Cedula both belong to the right parent or guardian, your report card is for Grade 12 first semester, your Birth Certificate is complete, and both your ID picture and home sketch are attached.
10. Confirm Your Application
Submitting the form isn’t actually the final step.
You’ll need to log back in and confirm your application within seven days of submitting it. If you don’t confirm within that time, the application becomes void.
What Happens After You Apply?
SM Foundation’s own process flow shows what happens from your online submission all the way to orientation and contract signing.
1. Online Application
You fill out the form and upload your documents.
2. Application Confirmation
After submitting, you’ll log in again to confirm your application within seven days.
If you miss that window, your application becomes void.
3. Processing and Evaluation
SM Foundation reviews your form and documents.
Their published process flow gives this stage seven working days after the application deadline.
You’ll get an email about your application’s status.
4. Examination
If your application moves forward, SM Foundation emails you the exam schedule and venue.
Exam passers are announced the same day, according to their process flow.
5. Interview
If you pass the exam, you’ll have an individual interview with SM Foundation, usually the same day as the exam.
6. Random Home Visit
SM Foundation may do a random home visit for applicants who pass the interview.
Since it’s random, this doesn’t mean every applicant gets one.
7. Qualification Result
If you don’t qualify after these stages, SM Foundation lets you know by email.
If you do qualify, you move on to confirming your school and course.
8. School and Course Confirmation
Qualified applicants confirm their school and course through their scholarship account.
This is a good moment to double check both the approved course list and the partner-school list, since not every campus of every school is covered.
9. Orientation and Contract Signing
The final stage is scholar orientation and contract signing.
SM Foundation sends you the schedule and venue by email.
Common Requirement Mistakes to Avoid
Preparing the wrong income document. SM Foundation accepts an ITR, a Certification of Non-Filing of Income, or a Certificate of Indigency. If you’re not sure which one fits your family, it’s worth confirming before you upload anything.
Preparing your own Cedula instead of your parent’s or guardian’s. This one specifically needs to belong to your parent or guardian.
Uploading the wrong report card. You’ll need your Grade 12 first-semester report card specifically.
Assuming “Birth Certificate” means it has to be from PSA. The published requirement just says “Birth Certificate.” There’s no need to add a PSA requirement unless the application system tells you to.
Forgetting the home sketch. This one’s easy to overlook since it’s different from the usual documents, but it’s genuinely required.
Uploading documents that are hard to read. Before uploading, it helps to open each file and check that names, grades, and numbers are all clear.
Forgetting to confirm your application. Submitting the form doesn’t finish the process. You’ll need to confirm within seven days after submission.
Not checking your email. SM Foundation uses email for your application status and later stages, so it helps to use an account you check often.
Final Documentary Requirements Checklist
Online Application
- Filled-out online application form
Attachments to the Online Application
- Parent’s or Guardian’s Latest ITR, Certification of Non-Filing of Income, or Certificate of Indigency
- Parent’s or Guardian’s Cedula
- Grade 12 report card, first semester
- Birth Certificate
- 2×2 ID picture
- Sketch of home to the nearest SM Mall
Before You Submit
- My personal information is correct
- My uploaded documents are complete
- My files are easy to read
- My parent’s or guardian’s information is correct
- I attached my Grade 12 first-semester report card
- I attached my Birth Certificate
- I attached my 2×2 ID picture
- I attached my home sketch
After You Submit
- I confirmed my application within seven days
- I’m checking my email for updates
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the SM College Scholarship Documentary Requirements?
You’ll need a filled-out online application form, plus six attachments: your parent’s or guardian’s income document, their Cedula, your Grade 12 first-semester report card, your Birth Certificate, a 2×2 ID picture, and a sketch of your home to the nearest SM Mall.
Do you need an ITR?
SM Foundation accepts a latest ITR, a Certification of Non-Filing of Income, or a Certificate of Indigency. Which one you use depends on your family’s situation, and any extra instructions in the application system.
Do you need all three income documents?
No, just one, whichever fits your family. If you’re not sure, it’s best to check the current application instructions or ask SM Foundation directly.
Whose Cedula do you need?
Your parent’s or guardian’s, not your own.
What report card do you need?
Your Grade 12 report card for the first semester specifically.
Does the Birth Certificate need to be from PSA?
The public requirement just says “Birth Certificate,” nothing about PSA specifically. If the online application asks for something more specific, follow that instead.
What grade do you need?
A General Weighted Average of at least 92 percent, or its equivalent, for your Grade 12 first semester.
What’s the household income limit?
₱250,000 or less per year, total.
Can an ALS completer apply?
Yes. SM Foundation includes Alternative Learning System completers among those who may qualify.
The public requirements don’t say exactly which school record an ALS completer should upload instead of a Grade 12 report card. If this applies to you, it’s best to confirm directly with SM Foundation.
Can you apply if you went to a private high school?
Yes, as long as you meet the other requirements. You’ll need to have completed Grade 10 in a public high school, or if it was a private high school, you’ll need a DepEd voucher.
Do you need to live in a covered area?
Yes. This scholarship is only available in specific covered areas.
Does your college need to be an SM Foundation partner school?
Yes. There’s a specific 2026 list of partner schools and campuses. Some universities only have certain campuses on the list, so it’s worth checking the exact campus, not just the university name.
Do you need to confirm your application after submitting?
Yes. SM Foundation’s process asks you to confirm within seven days after submission. If you don’t, your application becomes void.
Is the application still open?
No. The online application period for this intake ran from February 1 to February 28, 2026.
If you’re applying for a future intake, use the newest dates and instructions SM Foundation releases.
More About the SM College Scholarship
Who Can Apply?
You may qualify if you’re an incoming college freshman, a Grade 12 graduate from a public or private school in a covered area, or an ALS completer.
You’ll also need to meet these conditions:
- You completed Grade 10 in a public high school, or in a private high school with a DepEd voucher.
- Your Grade 12 first-semester GWA is at least 92 percent, or its equivalent.
- Your total household income is ₱250,000 or less per year.
What Areas Are Covered?
Luzon: NCR, Albay, Bataan, Batangas, Benguet, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Cavite, Isabela, Laguna, Laoag, Nueva Ecija, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Sorsogon, Quezon, Rizal, Tarlac, and Zambales.
Visayas: Bohol, Capiz, Cebu, Iloilo, Leyte, and Negros Occidental.
Mindanao: Agusan del Norte, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Misamis Oriental, South Cotabato, and Zamboanga del Sur.
What Courses Are Covered?
Accounting and Business
- BS in Accountancy
- BS in Accounting Information Systems
- BS in Accounting Technology
- BS in Digital Marketing
- BS in Internal Auditing
- BSBA in Financial Management
- BSBA in Management Accounting
Engineering and Technology
- BS in Civil Engineering
- BS in Computer Engineering
- BS in Electrical Engineering
- BS in Electronics and Communications Engineering / BS in Electronics Engineering
- BS in Mechanical Engineering
- BS in Computer Science
- BS in Information Technology
Education
- Bachelor of Elementary Education
- Bachelor of Secondary Education, major in Biology
- Bachelor of Secondary Education, major in Chemistry
- Bachelor of Secondary Education, major in General Sciences
- Bachelor of Secondary Education, major in Physics
- Bachelor of Secondary Education, major in Mathematics
- Bachelor of Secondary Education, major in English
Available only at NU campuses
- BS in Architecture
What Do Scholars Get?
- Full tuition
- A monthly allowance
- Part-time job opportunities during semestral and Christmas breaks
- Exclusive job offers with the SM Group after graduation
- Other activities and enrichment programs
- A choice of specialization within the fields the scholarship covers
Which Schools Are Covered?
SM Foundation publishes a specific 2026 College Scholarship Partner Schools list. The exact school and campus matter, so it’s better to check the official list rather than assume every school in a covered area participates.
NCR Partner Schools
- Asia Pacific College
- City College of Malabon
- City of Malabon University
- Colegio de Muntinlupa
- Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology
- Far Eastern University
- Far Eastern University, Institute of Technology
- Jose Rizal University
- National University (NU): Manila, Fairview, MOA, East Ortigas, Las Piñas
- Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig
- Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina
- Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila
- Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa
- Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela
- Philippine Cultural College, Quezon City
- Philippine Normal University
- Philippine Women’s University
- Polytechnic University of the Philippines: Sta. Mesa, San Juan, Quezon City, Taguig
- Quezon City University
- Rizal Technological University
- STI College, Ortigas Cainta
- Taguig City University
- University of Caloocan
- University of the East, Manila
- University of the East, Caloocan
- University of the Philippines Open University
- University of the Philippines, Diliman
Luzon Partner Schools
Albay, Legazpi
- Bicol University
- Divine Word College
- University of Sto. Tomas, Legazpi
- Bicol State College Applied Science and Technology
Bataan
- Bataan Peninsula State University
- Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Bataan
Benguet, Baguio
- Saint Louis University
- University of the Philippines, Baguio
- University of the Cordilleras
Batangas: Batangas City, Lipa, Lemery
- Batangas State University: Balayan, JPLPC, Main, Malvar, Nasugbu, Rosario
- Colegio ng Lungsod ng Batangas
- De La Salle University, Lipa
- First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities
- Lipa City College
- National University, Lipa
- Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Sto. Tomas, Batangas
- University of Batangas: Lipa and Main
Bulacan: Baliuag, Marilao, Pulilan, San Jose del Monte
- Baliuag University
- Baliwag Polytechnic College
- Bulacan State University
- Meycauayan College
- National University, Baliwag
- STI College, Balagtas
- STI College, Meycauayan
Cagayan, Tuguegarao
- Cagayan State University: Main, Andrews
- University of St. Louis, Tuguegarao
Camarines Norte
- Camarines Norte State College
- Mabini Colleges
Camarines Sur, Naga
- Ateneo de Naga University
- Camarines Sur Polytechnic College: Nabua, Naga
- Naga College Foundation
- Partido State University
- University of Nueva Caceres
Cavite: Bacoor, Dasmariñas, Molino, Rosario
- Cavite State University: Bacoor, Cavite City, Imus, Indang, Rosario, Silang, Carmona, Main, Tanza
- De La Salle University, Dasmariñas, Cavite
- National College of Science and Technology
- National University, Dasmariñas
- Olivarez College
- Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Maragondon
- Rogationist College
- San Sebastian College, Recoletos de Cavite
Isabela, Cauayan
- Isabela State University
- Northeastern College
- Our Lady of the Pillar College: Cauayan, Isabela, San Manuel
- Philippine Normal University, Alicia, Isabela
- University of Perpetual Help System, Isabela
Laguna: Calamba, San Pablo, Sta. Rosa
- Computer Site Institute Inc.
- Dalubhasaan ng Lungsod ng San Pablo
- Laguna College of Business and Arts
- Laguna State Polytechnic University: Sta. Cruz, San Pablo
- National University, Laguna
- Pamantasan ng Cabuyao
- Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng San Pablo
- Polytechnic University of the Philippines: Biñan, San Pedro, Sta. Rosa
- University of Perpetual Help System: Biñan, Dalta, Rizal
- University of the Philippines, Los Baños
Laoag, Ilocos Norte
- Northwestern University
- Mariano Marcos State University
- Divine Word College of Laoag
Nueva Ecija, Cabanatuan
- Araullo University
- Central Luzon State University
- Nueva Vizcaya State University
- Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology
Palawan, Puerto Princesa
- Mindanao State University, Main Campus, Bataraza Extension
- Palawan State University
- Western Philippine University, Aborlan
Pampanga: Angeles, San Fernando, Telabastagan
- Angeles University Foundation
- Don Honorio Ventura State University / Pampanga State University
- Holy Angel University
- National University, Clark
- University of the Assumption
- University of the Philippines Diliman Extension Program, Pampanga
Pangasinan: Dagupan, Rosales, Urdaneta
- Don Mariano State University
- Kingfisher School of Business and Finance
- Lyceum Northwestern University
- Pangasinan State University: Asingan, Bayambang, Lingayen, Urdaneta
- PHINMA, University of Pangasinan
Quezon, Lucena
- Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation
- Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Lopez Campus
- Southern Luzon State University
Rizal
- University of Rizal System: Main, Antipolo, Binangonan, Morong
Sorsogon
- Sorsogon State University
Tarlac
- Concepcion Holy Cross College
- Tarlac State University
Zambales, Olongapo
- Bataan Peninsula State University
- Columban College
- Gordon College
- Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Bataan
- President Ramon Magsaysay State University
Visayas Partner Schools
Bohol
- Bohol Island State University
- Holy Name University
- University of Bohol
Capiz, Roxas
- Capiz State University
- Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion
- Filamer Christian University
Cebu
- Carlos Hilado Memorial State University
- Cebu Institute of Technology
- Cebu Technological University
- Cebu Normal University
- CITE Technical Institute Inc.
- National University, Cebu
- University of Cebu: Banilad, Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue, Main
- University of San Carlos
- University of San Jose-Recoletos
- University of the Philippines Visayas, Cebu College
Iloilo
- Central Philippine University
- Central Philippines State University
- Iloilo Science and Technology University
- Northern Iloilo State University
- University of San Agustin
- University of the Philippines Visayas, Iloilo
- West Visayas State University
Leyte: Ormoc, Tacloban
- Eastern Samar State University
- Eastern Visayas State University: Burauen, Ormoc, Tacloban
- Leyte Normal University
- Saint Paul School of Professional Studies
- Southern Leyte State University
- University of the Philippines Visayas, Tacloban College
- Visayas State University
- Western Leyte College of Ormoc City
Negros Occidental, Bacolod
- Bacolod City College
- Carlos Hilado Memorial State University
- Colegio San Agustin
- National University, Bacolod
- Technological University of the Philippines, Visayas
- University of Negros Occidental, Recoletos
- University of St. La Salle
Mindanao Partner Schools
Agusan del Norte, Butuan
- Caraga State University
- Father Saturnino Urios College
- Northwestern Agusan Colleges
Davao del Sur: Davao, Lanang
- Ateneo de Davao University
- Davao del Sur State College
- National University, Davao
- University of Immaculate Conception
- University of Mindanao: Main, Tagum
- University of Southeastern Philippines
- University of the Philippines Mindanao, Davao City
Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga City
- Ateneo de Zamboanga
- Universidad de Zamboanga
- Western Mindanao State University
Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro
- Cagayan de Oro College
- Central Mindanao University
- Liceo de Cagayan University
- Mindanao State University, Iligan
- STI College, Cagayan de Oro
- University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines
- Xavier University, Ateneo de Cagayan
South Cotabato, General Santos
- Mindanao State University, General Santos
- Mindanao State University, Iligan Institute of Technology
- Mindanao State University, Marawi
- Notre Dame of Dadiangas University
This list follows SM Foundation’s official 2026 partner-school document. Some entries name specific campuses, so it’s worth checking the exact campus, not just the univers
When Was the Application Period?
The SM College Scholarship online application period was February 1 to February 28, 2026.
That window has already closed.
If you’re preparing for a future intake, use the newest dates, requirements, courses, and partner-school list SM Foundation releases.