DOST Scholarship Requirements 2026: Eligibility & Complete Document Checklist
Quick answer: To apply for the DOST scholarship you must be a natural-born Filipino, a graduating Grade 12 student or graduate with no college units, from the STEM strand or the top 5% of a non-STEM class, and of good moral character and health. RA 7687 applicants must also meet the income limit and submit proof of income.
The DOST Scholarship Requirements 2026 decide who can apply for the DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarship for AY 2027–2028 and which documents you must upload. The Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) offers this scholarship to talented Filipino students who want to study science, technology, engineering, mathematics and other priority fields.
Missing documents or wrong details can delay your application or get it rejected during validation. In this guide we explain who are eligible to apply for DOST scholarship, the grade requirements, every document on the checklist, the extra requirements for JLSS, and a free downloadable checklist.
Quick update: the 2027 DOST-SEI undergraduate application ran from August 17 to September 17, 2026, and the qualifying exam is on November 14–15, 2026. Use this guide to check your eligibility now and prepare for the next cycle.
Who Is Eligible for DOST Scholarship?
So, how do I qualify for the DOST scholarship? You must meet all of the DOST scholarship eligibility criteria below. They apply to both the Merit Scholarship and the RA 7687 Scholarship, with an added income rule for RA 7687.
Natural-born Filipino citizen
Only natural-born Filipino citizens can apply. Applicants who are not Filipino citizens are not eligible. Your name and date of birth must match your PSA birth certificate.
Grade 12 STEM / non-STEM conditions
The undergraduate scholarship is for senior high school students entering college. You must be either:
- a graduating Grade 12 student in SY 2026–2027, or
- a Grade 12 graduate who has not yet enrolled in college.
You must not have earned any college or vocational units. Homeschooled and ALS (Alternative Learning System) learners may also apply with the matching certification.
Top 5% / STEM strand rules
- STEM strand: all students in the STEM class may apply.
- Non-STEM strand: you must belong to the top 5% of your graduating class, certified by your school principal.
Family income limit (RA 7687)
The RA 7687 Scholarship is for academically qualified students whose family’s socio-economic status falls within DOST-SEI’s limits. You will need to submit proof of family income. The Merit Scholarship has no income limit.
Good moral character & health
Applicants must be of good moral character and in good health, supported by a Certificate of Good Moral Character and a Certificate of Good Health.
Eligibility per Scholarship Type (RA 7687 vs Merit vs JLSS)
| Criteria | RA 7687 Scholarship | Merit Scholarship | JLSS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Grade 12 students and graduates entering college | Grade 12 students and graduates entering college | College students already in a priority S&T course |
| Citizenship | Natural-born Filipino | Natural-born Filipino | Natural-born Filipino |
| Family income | Must be within DOST-SEI limits | No income limit | Depends on the track applied for |
| Academic rule | STEM strand, or top 5% if non-STEM | STEM strand, or top 5% if non-STEM | Regular student with the required GWA and no failing grades |
| Exam | DOST-SEI qualifying exam | DOST-SEI qualifying exam | Separate JLSS exam |
| Course | Approved priority S&T course | Approved priority S&T course | Approved priority S&T course |
Not sure which one fits you? Read our explainer on the DOST-SEI scholarship types.
Grade Requirements for DOST Scholarship
The undergraduate scholarship has no fixed GWA cut-off. Instead, the DOST scholarship grade requirements depend on your strand:
- STEM students: belonging to the STEM class is enough to apply.
- Non-STEM students: you must rank in the top 5% of your graduating class.
- Selection: qualifiers are chosen based on their results in the qualifying exam, so your exam score matters more than your senior high school grades.
JLSS is different: in the 2026 cycle, applicants needed a GWA of at least 83% or its equivalent with no failing or conditional grades. Once you become a scholar, you must also keep up the DOST scholarship maintaining grade.
Complete List of Documentary Requirements
All documents are uploaded through the official E-Application System at science-scholarships.ph. Download the latest forms from the portal and do not use forms from previous years.
Application Forms (Form C to Form J)
| Form | What it is |
|---|---|
| Form C | Certificate of Good Moral Character |
| Form D | Certificate of Good Health |
| Form E1 / E2 / E3 / E4 | Principal’s or ALS certification: E1 for STEM, E2 for non-STEM top 5%, E3 for homeschool, E4 for ALS |
| Form F | Certificate of Residency |
| Form G | Parent’s Certification (no pending immigration application) |
| Form H | DOST-SEI Scholarship Examination/Award certification |
| Form I | Certification of No Post-Secondary Units |
| Form J | Signed Declaration of Applicant and Parent/Legal Guardian |
For what each form is for and how to fill it up, see our DOST scholarship forms PDF guide.
Certificate of good moral
Form C must be signed by your school principal or guidance counselor. It confirms that you have no record of misconduct.
Proof of income (ITR / certificate of tax exemption)
RA 7687 applicants must prove their family income. Common proofs are your parents’ Income Tax Return (ITR), a Certificate of Tax Exemption from the BIR, or another document accepted by the portal. If your family is a 4Ps or Listahan beneficiary, upload the DSWD ID as well.
Birth certificate (PSA)
Upload a clear copy of your PSA birth certificate. Make sure your name and date of birth in the application match it exactly.
2×2 / passport size photo
Upload a recent passport-size photo (about 4.5 cm × 3.5 cm) with a name tag, following the exact size and background shown in the portal.
If you are supported by a legal guardian, also upload a notarized Affidavit of Guardianship.
Additional Requirements for JLSS (3rd/4th year)
JLSS applicants are already in college, so they submit college records instead of senior high school certifications. Based on the latest JLSS call, these include:
- Official Transcript of Records or certified true copy of college grades
- Certificate of Good Moral Character and Certificate of Good Health
- Certification of degree program and current year level
- Certificate of Residency
- Commitment to Return Service form (separate versions for RA 7687/Merit and RA 10612)
- Signed declaration, PSA birth certificate and passport-size photo
- Proof of family income and Affidavit of Guardianship, if applicable
JLSS forms and deadlines change every cycle. The JLSS application usually opens around April, with the exam in mid-year.
Downloadable Requirements Checklist (PDF)
Print this one-page checklist and tick off each item as you prepare your application:
📄 Download the DOST Scholarship Requirements Checklist (PDF)
It covers the eligibility rules, Forms C to J, supporting documents and a final review list.
FAQs About DOST Scholarship Requirements
Can non-STEM students apply for the DOST scholarship?
Yes. Non-STEM students can apply if they belong to the top 5% of their graduating class, certified by the school principal.
What is the income limit for the DOST scholarship?
Only the RA 7687 Scholarship has an income limit, based on DOST-SEI’s socio-economic indicators. The Merit Scholarship has no income limit.
Can I apply if I am already in college?
Not for the undergraduate scholarship, which requires no college units. College students in a priority course can apply for the Junior Level Science Scholarship (JLSS) instead.
What GWA is required for the DOST scholarship?
There is no fixed GWA for the undergraduate scholarship: STEM students may apply and non-STEM students must be in the top 5%. JLSS required a GWA of at least 83% in the 2026 cycle.
Official Source
- DOST-SEI Scholarship Portal – science-scholarships.ph (official application and forms)
DOSTScholarship.com is an independent information website and is not affiliated with DOST or DOST-SEI. Always follow the requirements shown on the official portal.
