Will PhD stipends be considered as salary crediting for DBS Multiplier Account (or any other similar accounts)? Also, will PhD's student status qualify them for credit cards?

Nope. DBS will only recognize transaction with under the category “Salary”. A stipend from a scholarship will not be classified under “Salary”. In addition, some stipends maybe credited at a semi-annual basis instead of monthly basis. :) as for credit card, it should be no issue if u can hit the min salary!

Don't think it is because:

Your research scholarship stipend and top-ups / augmentations are not subjected to income tax.

However, if you are also receiving income under the Part-time Teaching scheme, these payments will be subjected to income tax.

http://www.nus.edu.sg/finance/students/research...