With the university’s planned operations for facility renovations, increase in employee salaries, and the 2025 annual inflation rate of 1.7%, Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) proposed a 3% increase in tuition and 3% miscellaneous fees for the academic year 2026-2027, following a 4% hike that took effect this year.
The 3% tuition raise translates to an increase of P51.55 per unit for incoming first-year students (P1,769.60), P49.40 per unit for second-year students (P1,696.20), and P47.35 per unit (P1,625.80) for third- to fifth-year students.
For miscellaneous fees, an increase of P490.70 per semester is expected for incoming first-year students, P480.85 for second-year students, and P477.60 for third- to fifth-year students.
A 3% across-the-board salary increase is also eyed for the next year, in compliance with AdDU’s Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) to allocate 76% of revenue from tuition fees to employees’ salaries and benefits.
Campus renovations underway
Vice President for Finance and Treasurer Jimmy Delgado detailed that the planned renovations include a P7.5-million remodeling of the Gisbert Library, a P1.58-million upgrade to the Miguel Pro Learning Commons collaboration hubs, laboratory improvements, and laboratory equipment replacements.
Wiring upgrades for Finster Hall, installation of sun baffles for Finster’s Roxas side, window resealing and glass replacement for Martin Hall and Community Center of the First Companions (CCFC) Building, and repair of the Jubilee Building elevator are also in work.
Second-year BS Nursing student Arianna Grant shared that these upgrades will benefit the student body, who also frequent the laboratories.
“May times na nagtitiis kami ng walang aircon for a 3-hour lecture…. minsan projector naman… Sa labs naman, sobrang beneficial talaga na ma-upgrade na sila kasi may mga equipment na either hindi na masyadong efficient or hindi na talaga ideal gamitin,” Grant revealed.
However, during the TOSFI consultations for AY 2024-2025 and AY 2025-2026, the university administration already announced similar plans for infrastructure improvements, including the replacement of air conditioners in the Finster Building.
P10 million increase in scholarship funds
Consequently, Delgado disclosed that the allocation for grant-in-aid (GIA) fund and scholarships will also increase from P50 million this year to P60 million in the proposed AY 2026-2027 budget.
“A big portion of that will actually go to existing scholars because of the increasing inflation… but this is not the only increase. We are given [an] assignment by the university president to really look for more funds to give more for scholars,” Delgado explained.
Working scholar and third-year AB Psychology student Maisie Nazareno underscored that an increased budget for grants will ensure the continuity of support for current recipients like her while expanding slots for new scholars.
“In previous years, scholarship slots during enrollment were limited and often allocated on a first-come, first-served basis due to budget constraints. With the proposed increase in funding, the pressure and uncertainty surrounding the availability of scholarship slots will be reduced.”
A second-year working scholar under the School of Business and Governance (SBG) also noted that this increase in budget for scholarships is urgent, as adjustments to tuition fees add more pressure on scholars.
“Given that there was already a 4% increase this year, the timing feels challenging for many students. I hope the increased scholarship budget will help support those who are most affected by these consecutive increases.”
Proposed P200 graduation fee addition
The Office of Pathways for Institutional Advancement and Alumni Engagement (Ateneo Pathways) director, Lilibeth Arcena, proposed an additional P200 to the graduation fee for its slated services for fresh graduates and alumni.
Career guidance services under Pathway to Career Development will be available to fresh graduates, including career coaching, group discernment circles, resume critiquing, mock job interviews, and informational resources.
“As you’ve reached your graduating year, you are candidates for graduation, then you’re already considered graduates then we [Ateneo Pathways] take over. Technically speaking, we are here to cater to fresh graduates but we would already like to catch you while you are here,” Arcena said.
AdDU alumni will also be offered opportunities for spiritual nourishment, campus tours, homecomings, and spotlight services through the Pathway to Alumni Engagement.
With all of these changes, Grant also voiced concerns that some students may struggle with these hikes, considering competing financial priorities.
“Sa program ko, ang dami pang extra expenses na kailangang paghandaan… Kaya knowing na tataas pa yung tuition, magiging challenge talaga sa amin na makabayad on time. Mas lalo pa kasi na hindi na lang ako yung nag-iisang college student na pinapaaral ng parents ko.”
As of this writing, Samahan ng Mga Mag-Aaral ng Pamantasang Ateneo de Davao (SAMAHAN) has yet to announce the schedule for its town hall meeting, where it will present a detailed breakdown of tuition and other school fee increases (TOSFI) for the upcoming academic year to the wider student body.
The multisectoral consultation of the university administration and SAMAHAN on the proposed TOSFI for the next academic year occurred at the Pakighinabi Room, 3F CCFC Building, on January 30.
Editor’s Note: Atenews has contacted the College Scholarship Program about the current number of scholars for AY 2025-2026, but has yet to receive a response.