The Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) announced Sunday, August 1, that a total of 785 college students have made it to the Junior Level Science Scholarships (JLSS) program.
JLSS is a program for incoming regular third year college students who are enrolled in priority science and technology courses.
The DOST-SEI said the applicants underwent eligibility screenings using the JLSS E-Scholarship Application System, where documentary requirements including grades for the first two years of college were assessed and to determine the qualifiers, it used data analytics.
The Institute had decided not to hold a national qualifying examination due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
"Among the total qualifiers, 303 were marked with an asterisk to their names implying some lacking documents. They will be sent a notice to complete said requirements,” it said in a statement on Sunday.
“The total number may also increase as 315 more—marked with two asterisks in their names—are still under consideration, pending completion of requirements and subject to further evaluation,” it added.
DOST-SEI Director, Dr. Josette T. Biyo noted that for several years, the result of the scholarship examination is one of the most important criteria in the selection of new scholarship qualifiers.
"Suspending the conduct of the face-to-face examination was not an easy decision for SEI. However, with the use of data analytics, I believe that we are able to identify qualifiers and award this scholarship to deserving third year college students,” she said.
Qualifiers who will avail of the scholarship program will receive two to three years of scholarship benefits, which include tuition subsidy, monthly stipend, book allowance, and others, the DOST-SEI said.
“Effectivity of the scholarship award is in the First Semester of Academic Year 2020-2021, which means scholars will receive financial assistance for the previous months retroactively,” it said.
Under JLSS, three types of scholarships are being offered. These are Science and Technology scholarship as provided under Republic Act No. 7687 or the “Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994”; Fast-Tracked Science and Technology scholarship as provided under RA No. 10612 or the “Fast-Tracked Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 2013”; and the MERIT scholarship or the National Science and Technology Authority (NSTA) scholarship under RA No. 2067 or the the “Science Act of 1958.”
NSTA scholarship is awarded to students with high aptitude in science and mathematics and are willing to pursue careers in the field of science and technology.
"Both the Merit and R.A. 7687 scholarship programs aim to produce more Filipino scientists and engineers to support knowledge creation and economic productivity in the country. Scholar-graduates of these programs are required to work along their fields of specialization in the country for a period equivalent to the length of the scholarship coverage,” the DOST-SEI said.
“The R.A. 10612, on the other hand, provides for competent science and mathematics teachers in senior high schools through the employment of the graduates of this program by the Department of Education (DepEd), in support of the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 (RA 10533) or the K to 12 Act,” it added.
The DOST-SEI said the qualifiers shall receive a notice of award from the DOST-SEI or the DOST Regional Office stating the schedule of the Orientation on the Scholarship Policies and Signing of the Scholarship Agreement.
It required the qualifier and parent/legal guardian to attend the virtual orientation within this month.
Those under consideration will also be sent a notice indicating their lacking documents which must be submitted on or before August 31, 2021, the Institute said.
“The pandemic continues to challenge us in many ways, but we at SEI remain committed to provide opportunities to deserving students through the scholarships. With the addition of this new batch of qualifiers, I am certain that they will continue the culture of making a difference in people’s lives through science and technology. We look forward to what they can contribute in the next few years,” Biyo said.
In its Facebook post on Sunday, the DOST-SEI congratulated all the 2020-2021 JLSS program qualifiers.
It said the full list of JLSS qualifiers can be accessed at https://bit.ly/2020jlssqualifiers or through newspapers, including Manila Bulletin and Tempo.