When The LaSallian first unpacked the struggles faced by Department of Science and Technology–Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) scholars, it talked of delayed stipends, stern retention policies, and bureaucratic hurdles that strained students both financially and academically. Since then, however, the conversation has evolved.
Recent developments suggest the institute is addressing some of the long-standing concerns, particularly in streamlining the disbursement of undergraduate allowances. In an exclusive interview with The LaSallian, DOST-SEI Director Dr. Jayeel Cornelio described these efforts as part of ongoing reforms to better support scholars nationwide. Yet for many students, relief remains uneven—problems persist not just at the policy level, but in how these reforms play out within their respective universities.
Underlying mechanisms
The screening process by DOST-SEI is perceived as the “gold standard” due to its meticulous and conscientious model. Its exam design boils down to accountability and integrity, where the institute employs help from several consultants and exam writers. The writing, and even the printing, of the exam is unknown and isolated completely from the institution. Meanwhile, the selection criteria for recipients are deliberated from several options presented by a committee composed of different government agency representatives. Once a selection criteria is endorsed by DOST-SEI, it is elevated to a higher advisory council constituted by the secretariat.
A key selection criteria for the scholarship, besides academic performance, is the student’s source of income. “We’re very mindful that we don’t want the scholarship to only accommodate elite kids… [students mostly from] private schools [and] science schools,“ he pointed out. In fact, many students under the merit scholarship might not be impoverished, but face circumstances that hinder them from attaining higher education.
“[They may be] middle class, [have] a single parent… [their] parents are separated… [or] renting an apartment, etc. So income-wise, they may not look like they’re poor, but in terms of their lived reality, [they] could be; this is what I see across the board,” Cornelio explains further.
On the other hand, the selection processes are also geared toward DOST and SEI’s vision and mission of addressing the research and industry needs in the country. For instance, priority courses for the scholarship are strategically determined to stimulate knowledge transfer and innovation for local research and development. However, translating this vision into actual research outcomes remains a structural challenge: “We end up producing graduates who will become employees, not researchers, not drivers of innovation.” Despite these constraints, Cornelio emphasizes the program’s aspirational direction, “We want to change that. We’ll get there eventually.”
With its rigorous evaluation, the expectation to meet the retention standards set by SEI is inevitable. A frequent occurrence is the termination of scholarship by the end of the scholars’ first and second years after incurring two or more failing marks in a semester—the sole standard set for termination. However, while retention requirements are in place, failing to meet them does not automatically lead to termination as enacted probationary mechanisms may enable them to bounce back.
These standards are established because the scholarships are funded by taxpayers. “Pero ito ng bayan,” Cornelio explains, “So, dapat magamit siya in a judicious manner,” citing the institute’s responsibility in spending public funds. “It’s always a delicate balancing act between taking care of the person but also upholding public accountability,” Cornelio clarifies.
(It’s the Filipino people’s money. So… it should be used in a judicious manner.)
Thus, funds left from any terminated scholarships are then reallocated to other initiatives by the institute, such as the Junior Level Science Scholarships for third-year students.
Reduced bureaucracies
Prior to Cornelio’s appointment as DOST-SEI director, funds for the scholars’ monthly stipends were downloaded to the universities or the department’s regional offices, who disperse funds to scholars’ Landbank accounts. Starting January 2025, however, the agency replaced this setup. The new arrangement now involves the SEI downloading the funds to the scholars’ bank accounts on a monthly basis. “We deposit the money to Landbank, and then Landbank will release it to [their] accounts on a monthly basis,” he clarifies.
The release of scholarship funds is dependent on the scholars’ submission of their termly requirements, which include an updated transcript of records and an enrollment form with subjects for the succeeding term. He points out that the processing time between SEI’s receipt of these requirements and a scholar’s receipt of their stipends should only take 18 working days.
As of the recently-concluded academic term, however, DOST scholars in the University continue to receive their scholarship stipends close to or even after the end of the term. Cornelio stresses that this is a unique situation. “As far as our regular NCR scholars are concerned—we’re talking about 8,900—[complaints have come from] one percent [of that number] lang,” he divulged.
The SEI has also encountered complaints of delayed stipends via the 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center. Upon investigation, it was revealed that the students’ documents had not yet been received by the agency by their deadline, thus delaying the processing of their allowances.
In DLSU’s case, the Office for Admissions and Scholarships had only requested scholars for their Enrollment Assessment Forms midway through the term, leading to the requirements’ collective submission happening only toward the end. Some scholars have also reported that tuition discounts included in the scholarship have not been reflected in recent terms.
More than stipends
While bureaucratic hurdles continue to weigh on many scholars, DOST-SEI began shifting its understanding of support. Beyond addressing immediate financial concerns, Cornelio outlined a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening the scholars’ long-term development.
Programs such as a Leadership Camp and a Technopreneurship Training Program reflect the institute’s growing emphasis on impact beyond graduation. Last year also marked the launch of the first Scholars Research Camp, which convened undergraduate theses and projects from across the country. The program offered scholars a formal platform to present their work while engaging with mentors, scientists, and publishers, addressing what DOST-SEI has identified as a persistent gap in undergraduate research training.
At the same time, DOST-SEI remains candid about the structural constraints that shape these efforts. While they have expressed interest in increasing stipends and expanding the scholar population, these plans remain fully dependent on congressional budget allocations. The recurring fiscal issue was also the reason for what seemed to be a reduction in slots at one of their graduate scholarships at the University of the Philippines-Diliman. In a statement released in November 2025, the agency explained that their budget, which had been obligated up to 87 percent at the end of October, could only accommodate a certain number of scholars while operating within sustainable limits.
Nevertheless, the institute continues to redefine itself as “more than scholarships,” pivoting toward capacity building through teacher training, manpower development, youth engagement, and partnerships with the Department of Education. Anchored in its vision of developing the next generation of science and technology professionals committed to the well-being of every Filipino, DOST-SEI frames its evolution as part of a longer nation-building effort—one that extends beyond scholarships and into the future of Philippine science.
The LaSallian has reached out to the DLSU Admissions and Scholarships Office’s Scholarship Unit, but they have not responded to our request for an interview as of press time.
