DOST JLSS Scholarship 2026: Now Accepting Applications

DOST JLSS Scholarship 2026 provides incoming third-year STEM college students ₱8,000 every month, full tuition coverage up to ₱40,000 per year, a learning materials allowance, thesis grant, and health insurance all the way until graduation.

This is one of the most comprehensive government scholarships available in the Philippines for college students already midway through their degree. Unlike scholarships that only cover tuition, the JLSS provides a full financial support package designed to eliminate every major barrier to finishing a STEM education.

Not eligible for JLSS? Check out our guides on the CHED Scholarship 2026 or the Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship (20,000 slots available) – both have different year-level and income requirements that may fit your situation.

Schedule	Dates
Application Opens	April 17, 2026
Last Date to Apply	May 15, 2026
Qualifying Examination	June 28, 2026

Practical Tip Start Early: Do not wait until the final week before applying. The Certificate of Good Health and the Certificate of Program of Study and Year Level both require signatures from your school’s clinic and registrar and most schools take 3 to 7 working days to process these.

What Is the DOST JLSS Scholarship?

The Junior Level Science Scholarship (JLSS) is a government scholarship program managed by the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI). It provides full financial support to deserving Filipino students entering their third year of college in a priority science and technology course.

The JLSS was created to address a specific problem: many talented STEM students who begin college strong run out of financial resources by their junior year, when academic demands increase and costs compound. This scholarship steps in at exactly that point and carries qualified scholars all the way through graduation.

DOST JLSS Scholarship 2026 Benefits

Here is every benefit a qualified DOST JLSS scholar receives, from enrollment through graduation:

Benefit	Amount
Tuition and Other School Fees (Private HEIs only)	Actual fees, up to ₱40,000 per academic year
Learning Materials / Connectivity Allowance	₱10,000 per academic year
Monthly Living Allowance	₱8,000 per month
Transportation Allowance	1 economy-class roundtrip fare (if studying outside home province)
Group Accident and Health Insurance	Covered – premium paid by DOST
Thesis Allowance	₱10,000 (one-time)
Research Dissemination Grant	Up to ₱50,000 (subject to approval)
Graduation Allowance	₱1,000 (one-time)

The tuition benefit applies to students enrolled in private higher education institutions (HEIs) only. Students in state universities already receive free tuition under Republic Act 10931 (Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act).

What ₱8,000 Per Month Actually Covers

At ₱8,000 per month, scholars receive roughly ₱96,000 per school year in living allowance alone. In most provincial cities, this comfortably covers dormitory rent (₱2,500 – ₱4,000/month) and daily meals.

In Metro Manila or Cebu City, it is workable but will require careful budgeting, especially if your rent exceeds ₱4,000 per month. Scholars studying outside their home province should also claim the transportation allowance to offset semestral travel costs.

Who Can Apply for DOST JLSS 2026?

You must be a natural-born Filipino citizen, currently in your second year of college, enrolled in a DOST-SEI priority S&T course, with a GWA of at least 83%, and must not have previously passed a DOST-SEI scholarship exam.

Complete Eligibility Checklist

• Natural-born Filipino citizen
• Currently a regular second-year college student – incoming third-year in AY 2026–2027
• Enrolled in a DOST-SEI priority science and technology course
• Has a general weighted average (GWA) of at least 83% or its equivalent in college subjects
• In good health and good moral character
• Has not previously taken and passed the DOST-SEI scholarship examination

Income Requirement (RA 7687 Category)

Under Republic Act 7687, applicants from low-income families are given priority consideration. If you are applying under this category, you will need to submit a Certificate of Residency and proof of your family’s income. There is no publicly stated strict income cap that automatically disqualifies applicants, income information is used as part of the holistic selection process, not as a hard cutoff.

Good to Know – GWA Requirement vs. Other DOST Programs

The 83% GWA requirement for JLSS is significantly lower than what other DOST-SEI programs require. The DOST Merit Scholarship, for instance, typically requires a GWA of 90% or higher. This means JLSS is accessible to a much wider range of deserving students. If you did not qualify for the Merit Scholarship due to grades, JLSS may still be within your reach.

DOST JLSS Scholarship Requirements 2026

Prepare and scan all of the following documents before starting your online application. Save each one as a clear PDF or high-resolution JPEG, blurry or incomplete uploads are one of the most common reasons applications are disqualified.

• Certificate of Good Moral Character
• Certificate of Good Health
• Certificate of Program of Study and Year Level
• Certificate of Residency (RA 7687 applicants only)
• Commitment to Return Service Form
• Signed Declaration Form
• Certified True Copy of Grades / TOR / TCG
• Recent passport-size photo
• PSA Birth Certificate
• Proof of Parent/Guardian Income
• Other supporting documents (per category)

Which Documents Take the Longest to Obtain?

Insider Tip – Based on Common Applicant Experience

Three documents consistently take the longest to secure:

1. Certificate of Good Health – This requires a physician’s signature. School clinic schedules are often limited, and some require you to book in advance. Allow at least one full week for this document.
2. Certified True Copy of Grades / TCG – A printed copy from your student portal is not accepted. You need an official copy with the registrar’s signature and dry seal. Most schools charge ₱50–₱100 per page and take 3–5 working days to process.
3. Certificate of Program of Study and Year Level – While simple, this also requires the registrar’s signature. During peak enrollment periods, registrar offices can be backlogged by a week or more. Request this early.

How to Apply for DOST JLSS Scholarship 2026 (Step-by-Step Guide)

All applications are submitted exclusively online. There is no walk-in or mail-in option. Follow these steps carefully:

1. Go to the official DOST JLSS portal: jlss.science-scholarships.ph. Be cautious of unofficial websites or Facebook pages claiming to process applications – use only the official portal.
2. Create an account using a valid, active email address. Use one you check regularly – all official notifications, including your exam schedule, will be sent there.
3. Fill out the online application form completely and accurately – personal information, academic records, and scholarship category must all match your official school documents exactly.
4. Upload all required documents in clear, readable format. PDF is preferred. Blurry scans or missing documents are the most common reason for automatic disqualification.
5. Review every detail before submitting. Pay particular attention to your GWA, year level, and course name – these must match your official records precisely.
6. Submit your completed application on or before May 15, 2026. No extensions are announced or expected.
7. Monitor your registered email for instructions regarding the qualifying examination scheduled on June 28, 2026, including your assigned test venue.

Ready to Apply? The Deadline Is May 15, 2026.

Submit your application exclusively through the official DOST-SEI portal. Do not apply through any third-party site, Facebook page, or unofficial link claiming to represent DOST.

Frequently Asked Questions About DOST JLSS 2026