The journey to finally achieving that college degree is tough – not just academically but also with financial matters. Sometimes, the latter pulls down even those who are determined to achieve something in life.

We are grateful, though, that there are scholarship programs seeking to help individuals who are set on to achieve their dreams. One of these scholarship programs is the one from DOST-SEI.

DOST-SEI refers to Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute.

The scholarship is categorized into two: RA 7687 which is awarded to academically talented students from economically disadvantaged families, and Merit Scholarship which recognizes students with outstanding ability in science and mathematics, regardless of their socio-economic status.

In this article, we are going to learn how to avail of the DOST-SEI Scholarship program. This includes guidelines, requirements, dos and don’ts.

What is DOST-SEI Scholarship Program?

DOST-SEI scholarship is a government scholarship program for (a) marginalized students who possess intellect and interest in science and technology, and (b) students having outstanding intelligence in scie-tech.

It comprises of two distinct tracks:

• RA 7687 Scholarship. A program for academically talented students from economically disadvantaged families, whose annual gross income falls below the established poverty threshold.
• Merit Scholarship. A program formerly called NSDB or NSTA under RA 2067. This program is given to students demonstrating exceptional aptitude in science and mathematics, who wish to enroll in science and technology-related courses.

In addition, the government agency has created the Junior Level Science Scholarship Program:

• JLSS Program. This program is also known as the Fast-Tracked S&T Scholarship Act of 2013 (RA 10612). It seeks to provide financial assistance to talented and deserving third-year college students pursuing degrees in science and technology fields.

How to Apply for the DOST-SEI Scholarship

If you wish to avail of the DOST-SEI scholarship program, you need to:

• Download and print the application form from the DOST-SEI website [click here to visit]. Also, you can obtain a copy of the form from DOST regional and provincial field offices.
• Prepare the scholarship requirements, refer to the DOST-SEI Scholarship Requirements below
• After filling out the form and other requirements, place it into a long brown envelope
• Submit the envelope to the DOST-SEI office or the nearest regional or provincial offices
• After submission, a test permit and primer will be mailed to you or your school principal (if you did not receive the test permit at least a week before the exam date, contact DOST for assistance).

Alternatively, you can file through the DOST-SEI website [click here to visit]. Here’s how you can apply online:

1. Access the DOST-SEI Undergraduate E-Scholarships Application System – https://science-scholarships.ph/.
2. Register using your e-mail address.
3. Access the link provided in the e-mail notification sent to you.
4. Provide the required information in the succeeding modules.
5. Upload documentary requirements.
6. Press the submit button to complete the application.

DOST-SEI Scholarship Requirements

One of the first steps to do, of course, if you want to become a scholar of the program is to apply. Following are the requirements:

• Must be a natural-born Filipino citizen
• Be in the top senior high school students in STEM strand or among the top 5% of non-STEM strand
• Have good moral character and health
• No prior post-secondary units earned (college or vocational)
• Applicants who took or qualified for a previous DOST Scholarship, but did not avail are still eligible
• Pass the DOST S&T or JLSS Scholarship Exam

Meanwhile, here are the requirements if you wish to avail of the S&T Undergraduate Scholarship Program:

• Duly accomplished DOST-SEI S&T Undergraduate Scholarship application form (You can download it here)
• Two (2) latest 1×1 pictures
• Photocopy of birth certificate
• Parent’s 2018 Income Tax Return (ITR) or W2 or BIR Certificate of Exemption from Filing of ITR or OFW employment contract or barangay certificate of indigency (for RA 7687 only)
• Electric bill for 3 consecutive months or barangay certificate of electric sharing if you share electricity with other households (for RA 7687 only)
• Non-refundable examination fee of ₱200 (for Merit scholarship only)

On one hand, these are the requirements for Junior Level Science Scholarship Program:

• Duly accomplished Junior Level Science Scholarship application form (application period is already closed but you can download or view it here)
• Two (2) latest 1×1 pictures
• Photocopy of birth certificate
• Official transcript of records (TOR) or true copy of grades (TCG) for the first and second years of college
• Photocopy of document that contains your DepEd Learner Reference Number (high school diploma, Form 137, etc.)
• Parent’s 2018 Income Tax Return (ITR) or W2 or BIR Certificate of Exemption from Filing of ITR or OFW employment contract or barangay certificate of indigency (for RA 7687 only)
• Electric bill for 3 consecutive months or barangay certificate of electric sharing if you share electricity with other households (for RA 7687 only)
• Non-refundable examination fee of ₱200 (for Merit scholarship only)

Dos and Don’ts for DOST-SEI Scholarship Beneficiaries

NOTE: Be aware of the following:

• Submit your requirements early to avoid missing the deadline
• Double-check your documents before submission to avoid being marked as incomplete
• The test is tough, and therefore you need to prepare a lot
• Check your grades, as scholars accepted under this program need to maintain good academic standing to keep the scholarship

IN ADDITION, here are ways to maintain your scholarship benefits:

• Maintain a general weighted average (GWA) of at least 2.5 or its equivalent
• Submit renewal documents every semester
• Attend DOST activities and training programs

YES, you can change your course, or course-shifting is permitted provided that such changes receive approval from DOST-SEI.

Courses Offered Under DOST-SEI

So, you’ve finally decided to avail the scholarship program. But you still need to choose if which course to take.

No worries, as you have a lot of courses to choose from. Take a look at the priority courses per an infographic shared by DOST-SEI. To clarify, priority means including but is not limited to.

DOST-SEI Scholarship Privileges

This DOST-SEI program is perhaps one of the scholarships that provides a lot of packages for its beneficiaries. This includes tuition fees, book allowances, monthly allowance and more.

Take a look at the list of scholarship privileges provided by the program:

• P40,000/year | tuition and other school fees
• P10,000/year | book allowance
• P7,000/year | monthly living allowance
• 1 economy-class roundtrip fare | transportation allowance
• Premium group insurance
• P1,000 post-graduation clothing allowance

Likewise, if you enroll in summer class as required by the curriculum, the scholar shall receive the following:

• P1,500 tuition and other school fees
• P7,000/month | monthly living allowance
• P500 book allowance

Other Information About DOST-SEI Scholarship

While the courses offered under DOST-SEI are almost unlimited, it is worth noting that you can only enroll in colleges and universities that meet the following criteria:

• State universities and colleges
• CHED-identified Centers of Excellence (COE) or Centers of Development (COD) for the S&T programs under the DOST Scholarship Program
• Educational institutions that have FAAP Level III Accreditation

Also, the exam coverage are:

• Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
• Mathematics (Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Statistics)
• English (Reading Comprehension, Grammar)
• Abstract Reasoning

References

• DOST-SEI Scholarship Exam Results 2025: Official List of Qualifiers | Science Education Institute
• DOST Region XI – 🚀 The DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarship… | Facebook
• How To Apply for DOST-SEI Scholarship