DOST Scholarship 2026 Application, Requirements

Do you want to earn a college degree but don’t have enough funds to make it happen? You’re not alone. Many students face the same challenge, but there are ways to overcome it. The government offers several scholarship programs for students who are capable and determined but lack financial means. One of the most recognized among these is the DOST-SEI Science and Technology Undergraduate Scholarship program.

Through this program, qualified students receive financial assistance that covers tuition fees, monthly stipends, book allowances, and other school-related expenses. For many families, this support makes higher education possible and helps students stay focused on their studies instead of worrying about costs.

If you’re interested in pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, the DOST scholarship could be the opportunity you’ve been looking for. Here’s what you need to know about how to become a DOST scholar.

Types of DOST-SEI S&T Scholarship

MERIT: Under RA No. 2067, the DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship Program, formerly known as the NSDB or NSTA Scholarship, is awarded to students with high aptitude in science and mathematics who wish to pursue careers in science and technology.
R.A. 7687: Republic Act No. 7687, also known as the “Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994,” grants scholarships to talented and deserving students whose families’ socioeconomic status does not exceed certain cut-off values. Qualifiers must pursue priority fields of study in the basic sciences, engineering, other applied sciences, and science and mathematics education.

2026 DOST Scholarship Exam Schedule

The Department of Science and Technology—Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) has announced that the in-person pen and paper qualifying exam for the 2026 DOST scholarship will be held on February 21-22, 2026. If you’re interested in applying for the 2026 DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarship, you’ll be pleased to know that they are now accepting applications. The deadline for submission of applications is November 21, 2025.

DOST Scholarship 2026 Qualifications

Before you take the examination, there are some requirements and qualifications you need to meet. Not everyone is eligible for the DOST scholarship. Do you want to know if you are qualified? Check the details below:

Graduating Grade 12 male and female students in SY 2025-2026:
- STEM STRAND: All students belonging to the STEM class.
- NON-STEM STRAND: Must be in the top 5% of the graduating class, if belonging to the non-STEM strand.
Graduate of Grade 12 before SY 2025-2026 and did not enroll in college yet:
- STEM STRAND: All students belonging to the STEM class
- NON-STEM STRAND: Must be in the top 5% of the graduating class
Graduate of high school before the K–12 program. Must belong to the top 5% of the graduating class.
Must be a natural-born Filipino citizen.
Must be of good moral character and in good health.
May have taken the DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarship Examination but did not qualify for the scholarship; or may have qualified for the DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarship but did not avail of the award; or may have not taken any DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarship Examination.
Must NOT have earned any post-secondary units.

To be able to get the scholarship, the applicant should enter state universities or colleges, network institutions recognized by DOST-SEI, and Centers of Excellence or Centers of Development by CHED-identified tertiary institutions. You must make sure that you pass the entrance examination for the institution or universities you have applied to.

How to Apply in DOST Scholarship

Here is the step-by-step guide on how to apply for a slot in the upcoming DOST-SEI Science and Technology Undergraduate Scholarship:

1. Visit the Application Portal– Go to https://ugs.science-scholarships.ph/ to start your application.

2. Create an Account– Register using a valid email address. A verification email will be sent to you—make sure to check your inbox and follow the instructions to verify your account.

3. Complete the Application Modules– After verification, log in to your account and fill out the following modules:

Personal Data
Contact Information
Family Data
Financial Contribution
Household Information Questionnaire
School Information
Upload Documents

You can complete these modules in any order and save your progress as you go. Just make sure to finish everything on or before the deadline.

4. Upload Required Documents

Accepted file formats: .jpeg, .png, .bmp, .pdf
Maximum upload size: 5MB per file
Multiple files may be uploaded per requirement (e.g., three separate photos of your parent’s proof of income).
To upload, click Upload File, select all related files, and click Upload.
Use the Preview button to check if the uploaded files are correct and complete before proceeding.

5. Review and Submit Your Application– Before pressing SUBMIT, double-check that:

All modules are complete.
All information is true and correctly spelled.
All required documents are uploaded.

Note: Once you submit your application, you will no longer be able to edit any information. Your application will be evaluated based on the details you have provided.

6. Select Your Test Center Location– After your application is reviewed and found eligible, you will be allowed to choose your preferred test center location—either near your permanent address, current address, or school address.

Your preference will be considered when assigning your testing venue. However, once your test center choice is submitted, you cannot make any further changes, so carefully consider where you are likely to be on the exam date.

DOST Scholarship Benefits

Now that you have chosen your course and passed the DOST scholarship examination, what are the benefits you can get? Here are they:

School Tuition and Other expenses: – DOST scholarship is offering P10, 000 or P8, 000 per semester.
P10,000 book allowance.
P500 allowance for PE uniform accredited for the first year semester.
Students who are studying outside their home province will be granted a roundtrip allowance.
Those who acquire the course under the Bachelor of Science in Mining, Geology, Physics, Applied Physics, and Physics Teaching will receive a support of P5,000.
P4,000 is the allowance given every month for DOST-SEI major or priority courses.
If the curriculum requires summer classes, P1,500 is granted to the scholar for tuition and other school fees.
There is a second book allowance of P500, but you must submit an official receipt

The Pros of Being a DOST Scholar

Students who take the DOST scholarship examination are to lessen the burden of their parents supporting their tuition and school expenses. Lots of students are aiming to become scholars, but only a few deserving ones were chosen. What are the pros of being a DOST scholar?

They will support you financially.

Some Filipino parents find it hard to support all of their children in college. To continue their college years, they are urging their children to take the DOST scholarship examination. Once you pass the test, you will be given P10,000 or P8,000 in financial support for your school tuition every semester. Other than this, DOST will provide other allowances for books and other expenses while in college.

You will be driven to work harder.

Being a DOST scholar means you need to maintain your grade. If you want to stay as a DOST scholar, diligence and perseverance are needed. Knowing that you need to maintain your grade, you will be more encouraged to work harder than usual.

You can learn how to be more independent.

Your parents are working hard to support all your basic needs, but as you grow up, you know that you need to work on your own. Being a DOST scholar does not mean that you need to find a job, but it will give you a sense of responsibility. Working hard to continue being a scholar means that you are learning how to become independent.

The Cons of Being a Scholar

Although we have talked about the positive things about the DOST scholarship, we know that it has a few disadvantages. Though it is up to you if you think that these disadvantages are good enough to discourage you.

You need to deal with pressure.

Maintaining grades puts pressure on you, especially when the subject is getting more difficult in the next few semesters. That is why it is important to choose the courses that you like when you plan to take the examination with the DOST scholarship.

You must serve in the country for several years, the same as the year you enjoyed the benefits of the DOST scholarship.

If you are planning to go abroad after graduation, the government will not allow you to do that unless you finished your service inside the country for some time. Well, this would not create too many problems because, after serving in the country, you can plan to work abroad.

Conclusion

Being a scholar is a responsibility. If you become a DOST awardee, you must cherish it and work hard to benefit from the DOST scholarship. You must also learn all about the terms and regulations of being a scholar. I have mentioned above the agreements for being a DOST scholar. It is your responsibility to know about it as you file your DOST scholar application.

The government is giving benefits to deserving ones, especially to those students who are taking their studies seriously and eagerly. Do not take this opportunity for granted. Only a few students are accredited with the DOST scholarship.

According to some students who became DOST scholars, it changed their lives in a great way. “You do not have to graduate magna cum laude. The fact na scholar ka karon [you are already a scholar], successful ka na [you are already successful] is what Kim Dianne Ligue said, a DOST scholar who graduated as magna cum laude from the University of the Philippines Mindanao. Although being awarded a DOST scholarship is challenging, it helped her parents in many ways, and they did not worry about how they could support her studies.

You see, if there is a will, there is always a way. If you lack in financial capability to support your studies, do not lose hope easily. The government is offering several scholarships to help you with your financial problems. As they see that you are deserving, they are willing to support your studies. Study hard and do everything to reach your goals. Work hard to achieve your goals in life. Work hard to help your parents in your own simple way. Applying for the DOST scholarship might be as challenging as you think, but as you work hard toward it, you will probably welcome success and be a DOST scholar until the end of your college years.