Some existing scholarships require a mandatory Return of Service Agreement (RSA) for their scholars. One example is the DOST-SEI JLSS Scholarship Program, where the scholar-graduates work as teachers as part of the RSA. DOST-JLSS scholar-graduates are facing challenges, and they manage those challenges through various mechanisms and strategies. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of five (5) DOST-SEI JLSS scholar-graduates working as public school teachers within the Division of San Pablo City through actual interviews. The data were analyzed through thematic analysis, where the responses of the participants were coded to generate categories and then themes. The findings revealed that the scholar-graduates were experiencing difficulties in teaching due to inadequate preparation to teach, interpersonal stressors, and personality differences. It was also found out that they utilize internal and external assistance towards development and personal and social support with work regulation. The institution of DOST-SEI should be able to provide assistance to their scholar-graduates by giving them proper training and holding teaching seminars and meetings that can help them with their work in the future.