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DOST JLSS 2027: Complete Guide

The Junior Level Science Scholarship (JLSS) is DOST-SEI's scholarship for students who are already in college. If you're a second-year student in a science, math, or engineering course, it can pay for the rest of your degree. Here's who can apply, when, what the exam looks like, what you get, and how to prepare.

What is the JLSS?

The JLSS is run by the DOST Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI). It's for incoming third-year college students in priority science and technology programs. That makes it a second chance at a DOST scholarship for students who didn't get one in senior high.

Like the Undergraduate Scholarship (UGS) for senior high students, the JLSS uses a qualifying exam, and slots are limited. In 2026, 11,592 students took the JLSS exam at 109 testing centers, and 1,000 qualified.

Qualifiers are placed in one of three programs:

• RA 7687: for students from families within DOST-SEI's income limits who have lived in their city or town for at least four years.
• Merit: no income requirement.
• RA 10612: a program under the Fast-Tracked S&T Scholarship Act of 2013.

The 2026 list named 269 RA 7687 scholars, 372 Merit scholars, and 128 RA 10612 scholars. Another 231 examinees were asked to submit more documents.

Scholars render return service after graduation, working in the Philippines for as many years as they held the scholarship.

Who can apply

For the 2026 JLSS, applicants had to be:

• Natural-born Filipino citizens.
• Regular second-year college students in a priority science and technology course. Both the course and the school must be on DOST-SEI's list.
• Holding a general weighted average (GWA) of at least 83% or its equivalent, with no failing or conditional grades, from the first semester of first year to the first semester of second year.
• Of good moral character and in good health.

RA 7687 applicants must also meet the income and residency requirements. Rules can change each year, so check the official 2027 announcement before you apply.

Review for the JLSS with SciScholar SciScholar is now a 2-in-1 reviewer for the UGS and the JLSS.

When to apply

JLSS applications open separately from the UGS, usually in the first half of the year. Here's how recent cycles went:

The 2026 results came out on September 17, 2026. For the 2027 JLSS, start watching the DOST-SEI website and your school's scholarship office from around March. Your grades from first year through the first semester of second year decide whether you can apply, so keep them up now.

Benefits

Based on the 2026 benefits schedule, JLSS scholars receive:

If your course requires summer classes, there are summer allowances too. Amounts can change, so check the official primer for your cycle.

Exam format

The JLSS exam has three timed parts, for a total of 175 items in 3 hours:

That's about a minute per item, so practice keeping a steady pace. Science gives you slightly more time per item than the other parts.

What to review

DOST-SEI doesn't publish a detailed list of topics for the JLSS exam. Free review sessions that DOST scholars ran for JLSS applicants have covered Mathematics, Science, English, Logical Reasoning, and Mechanical and Technical problem-solving.

SciScholar's JLSS reviewer covers all four subjects on the exam: Creative Reasoning, Language & Literature, Science, and Mathematics. It also includes a 100-item, 180-minute mock exam. Want to see the question style first? Try our free sample questions.

How to prepare

1. Protect your GWA. Your grades through the first semester of second year decide whether you can apply. Keep them at 83% or higher, with no failing grades.
2. Check your course and school. Make sure both are on DOST-SEI's list of priority programs and schools.
3. Prepare your documents early. Expect to need your grades or transcript, birth certificate, and certificates of good moral character and good health. Request them before the deadline rush.
4. Review a little every day. Short daily sessions fit around your college classes better than last-minute cramming.
5. Practice under time pressure. Timed practice tests build the pacing you need on exam day.
6. Read your test permit carefully. It tells you your exam date, venue, and what to bring.