Asia’s hub for top-class education and careers offers the best opportunities for its citizens. However, it’s undeniable that Singapore tuition fees are unreachable for many in its population.
Thankfully, the government has increased education bursary spending by S $44m to supplement students enrolled in universities with a high tuition fee.
Singaporean students who qualify for financial support can apply for both the elementary and higher education community bursary to receive financial assistance. You can find a great number of Singaporean financial assistance schemes to offset education expenses.
You can learn more about these financial assistance schemes and other bursary schemes below.
Government-Funded Bursaries for Universities
Full-Time Singaporean Students
All current students studying full time in Singapore can go for a government-subsidized financial aid application. However, they must fulfill the following criteria we’ve listed in this table.
| Bursary | Eligibility Criteria | Revised Government Bursary Quantum from AY2020 (Increase) |
| Higher Education Community Bursary | Gross Monthly Household Income (GHI) ≤S $2,750 or
Monthly Household Per Capita Income (PCI) ≤ S $690 |
100% tuition fee subsidy + S $1,500
(+S $510/S $690) |
| GHI S $2,751-S $4,000 or
PCI S $691-S $1,000 |
S $1,250
(+S $200) |
|
| Higher Education Bursary | GHI S $4,001-S $6,900 or
PCI S $1,001-S $1,725 |
S $600
(+S $50) |
| GHI S $6,901-S $9,000 or
PCI S $1,726-S $2,250 |
S $400
(+S $50) |
Diploma Students
Students facing financial difficulties taking on diploma courses can receive government-backed scholarships if they’re eligible. You can find more information about the diploma student bursary in the table below.
| Bursary | Eligibility Criteria | Revised Government Bursary Quantum from AY2020 (Increase) |
| Higher Education Community Bursary | GHI ≤S $2,750 or
PCI ≤ S $690 |
S $2,750
(+S $400) |
| GHI S $2,751-S $4,000 or
PCI S $691-S $1,000 |
S $2,400
(+S $250) |
|
| Higher Education Bursary | GHI S $4,001-S $6,900 or
PCI S $1,001-S $1,725 |
S $1,900
(+S $250) |
| GHI S $6,901-S $9,000 or
PCI S $1,726-S $2,250 |
S $850
(+S $50) |
Government Bursaries for Undergraduate Students Excluding Medicine and Dentistry Students
All full-time undergraduates studying in any course except medicine and dentistry can receive the following bursaries offered for any academic year. You can find more details below.
| Bursary | Eligibility Criteria | Revised Government Bursary Quantum from AY2020 (Increase) |
| Higher Education Community Bursary | GHI ≤S $2,750 or
PCI ≤ S $690 |
S $6,200
(+S $2,200) |
| GHI S $2,751-S $4,000 or
PCI S $691-S $1,000 |
S $5,000
(+S $1,250) |
|
| Higher Education Bursary | GHI S $4,001-S $6,900 or
PCI S $1,001-S $1,725 |
S $3,200
(+S $500) |
| GHI S $6,901-S $9,000 or
PCI S $1,726-S $2,250 |
S $1,350
(-) |
Government Bursaries for NTU Medicine and Dentistry Students
| Bursary | Eligibility Criteria | Revised Government Bursary Quantum from AY2020 (Increase) |
| Higher Education Community Bursary | GHI ≤ S $2,750 or
PCI ≤ S $690 |
S $18,900 (NUS)
S $24,700 (NTU) |
| GHI S $2,751-S $4,000 or
PCI S $691-S $1,000 |
S $14,900 (NUS)
S $20,700 (NTU) |
|
| Higher Education Bursary | GHI S $4,001-S $6,900 or
PCI S $1,001-S $1,725 |
S $10,900 (NUS)
S $16,700 (NTU) |
| GHI S $6,901-S $9,000 or
PCI S $1,726-S $2,250 |
S $4,900 (NUS)
S $10,700 (NTU) |
Part-Time Students
National ITE Certification (Nitec), diploma, and undergraduate study students can enroll with government financial support if they’re eligible for the following criteria.
| Bursary | Eligibility Criteria | Revised Government Bursary Quantum from AY2020 (Increase) | ||
| Part-time Nitec and Higher Nitec Students | Part-time Diploma Students | Part-time Undergraduates | ||
| Higher Education Bursary | GHI ≤ 4,000 or PCI ≤ S $1,000 (new income tier from AY2020) |
S $140 (-) |
S $800
(+S $200) |
S $2,500
(+S $1,150) |
| GHI S $4,001-S $6,900 or
PCI S $1,001-S $1,725 |
S $660
(+S $60) |
S $1,600
(+S $250) |
||
| GHI S $6,901-S $9,000 or
PCI S $1,726-S $2,250 |
S $300
(-) |
S $700
(-) |
||
Government Loan Schemes
Any polytechnic and undergraduate student can apply for the tuition fee loan (TFL) scheme. Students can have the government cover up to 75% of their polytechnic course tuition fee. In addition, university pupils can receive up to 95% tuition coverage if they are eligible.
The government permits TFL candidates to apply for its Study Loan if their GHI is less than S $2,700.
| Scheme | Eligibility Criteria | Quantum Per Year | |
| Polytechnic | Publicly-Funded-University | ||
| Tuition Fee Loan |
|
Up to 75% of tuition fee | Up to 90% of tuition fee |
| Study Loan |
|
Up to 25% of tuition fee plus living allowance loan of S $2,000 per annum | Up to 10% of tuition fee plus living allowance loan of S $3,600 |
PSEIs
Post-secondary educational institutions (PSEIs) have their respective scholarships for their pupils. SMU students and SUTD students can get financial support from their respective universities if they are eligible for their bursary requirements.
How to Apply for a Bursary?
You can conveniently apply for a bursary by contacting the relevant government or university department and expressing your intent. They will assign a representative to you that will explain the bursary application process and application procedures. Then, you’ll receive regular updates about your application process while you wait for your application outcome.
How to Check Your Bursary
Government representatives will email you regarding your bursary application status. Singaporean citizens who submitted separate applications will receive multiple application outcome updates
When Will My Bursary Pay Out?
Your scholarship funds will pay out in installments. You will receive both email or SMS notifications about your bursary’s scheduled payout. In addition, you can check your bank account for more updates.
Take Advantage of Singapore’s Enhanced Bursaries Today
No student in Singapore will ever get behind thanks to its enhanced bursaries. Take advantage of each one this coming academic year.
With Instant Loan can help you find the best personal loans from Singapore’s list of financial institutions. Visit our website today and get up to three high-quality quotes to pay for your tuition fees this academic year.
