Higher Education Bursary

The Higher Education Community Bursary (formerly known as the CDC/CCC-University Bursary) provides financial assistance to Singaporean students from low income groups. This scheme is co-funded by the Government, Community Development Council (CDC) and Citizens' Consultative Committee (CCC).

• Full-time subsidised undergraduate students
• Singapore Citizens

The new criteria will take effect from AY2026.

^* PCI refers to Gross (or Total) Monthly Household Per Capita Income, computed by dividing the Gross Household Income of the members in the household over the number of members in the household.

^** GHI refers to Gross (or Total) Monthly Household Income of the members in the household.

A student in receipt of a scholarship, study award, study grant and/or bursary may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Should a student's household income be worsened due to justifiable unforeseen circumstances (for example, loss of income due to unemployment) after bursary application or award, the student may appeal to be re-assessed of his/her eligibility for a higher quantum government bursary (no later than January to be reviewed of eligibility for Higher Education Community Bursary).

• Concurrent receipt of Higher Education Bursary and Higher Education Community Bursary is not allowed.
• Concurrent receipt of this financial award with other financial aid (SMU or external awarded study awards or scholarships or awards of similar nature) that cover or exceed your full tuition fee payable* and living expenses cap is not allowed
• The above clauses should be applicable to the whole of the academic year where you are eligible to receive this Bursary.

^* Excluding Mendaki Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy

• Bursary funds will be released on a semester basis with half of the award value released in Term 1 and the remaining half released in Term 2. This is provided that your student status is “Active” in the respective semesters (i.e. not on Leave of Absence / have not graduated).
• Bursary funds may be used to offset your tuition / compulsory miscellaneous fees that are still outstanding at the point of the bursary disbursement.

Recipients of government bursaries may be required to refund the bursary, in part or in full, if they withdraw from studies, defer studies, take a leave of absence, have been suspended or dismissed, or otherwise experience changes to their enrolment status.

In addition to the above, recipients of government bursaries who receive full scholarships, sponsorships or other financial awards in the same academic year as they are awarded the government bursary, may also be required to refund the government bursary disbursed to them, subject to the prevailing terms and conditions of the government bursary. Recipients of government bursaries are required to promptly inform SMU, via the email address provided in the following paragraph, if they receive any scholarship, sponsorship or financial awards during an academic year.

Refund requirements and/or amounts will be determined based on the specific circumstances and the timing of each case. For further details or to clarify your refund obligations, please contact the Centre for Student Financial Assistance at finasst@smu.edu.sg

This Policy ensures the responsible use of government bursary funds while accommodating recipients facing genuine financial or medical challenges.

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If any of the information or declarations provided in the application or in any supporting document pertaining to this Bursary is found to be false or incorrect,

(i) any offer of financial aid offered pursuant to this Bursary may be withdrawn by SMU in its sole and absolute discretion;

ii) SMU shall be entitled to recover from you any amount of financial aid disbursed pursuant to this bursary as a debt immediately due and payable on demand; and/or requirements and/or amounts will be determined based on the specific circumstances and the timing of each case. 

(iii) you may be subject to disciplinary proceedings or any disciplinary actions as decided by SMU

(iv) A false information may constitute a criminal offence punishable under Section 182 of the Penal Code 1871 and the punishment for such an offence is imprisonment for up to two years or a fine, or both.

Centre for Student Financial Assistance
Office of Admissions and Financial Assistance
Email: finasst@smu.edu.sg