Tuition Fee Financing Loan Schemes

Overview

HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENT LOAN
(with effect from 1 July 2026)
 Base ProvisionBalance Fee CoverageLiving Allowance Loan
Loan Amount

SC: up to 90% of the MOE-subsidised tuition fee payable by Singapore Citizens

SPR: up to 65% of MOE-subsidised tuition fee payable by Singapore Permanent Residents

IS: up to 45% of MOE-subsidised tuition fee payable by International Students
 

Covers remaining 10% of MOE-subsidised tuition fees
 
Up to $4,100 per academic year
Note: The quantum of loan does not include payment of annual/miscellaneous fees and GST.
 
To apply for Higher Education Student Loan – Base Provision together with the Balance Loan Coverage component and/or Living Allowance component, you are required to submit a bursary application for means-testing via:
OASIS > All Apps > Financial Aid Application.
Financial Aid Type: Bursary
Application Form: SMU-Administered Bursaries/Study Awards
 
Eligibilitya) All full-time undergraduate students on MOE-subsidised programmes
b) International undergraduates who had rejected the MOE Tuition Grant or who were offered admission without the MOE Tuition Grant are NOT eligible.
 
Full-time SC undergraduates on MOE-subsidised programmes onlya) All full-time undergraduate students on MOE-subsidised programmes
b) International undergraduates who had rejected the MOE Tuition Grant or who were offered admission without the MOE Tuition Grant are NOT eligible.
 
Guarantor Requirements
 
a) Must be between the ages of 21 and 60 years old
b) Must not be an undischarged bankrupt
c) Must be a Singapore citizen for an applicant who is a Singapore citizen
d) Can be either a Singapore citizen or a permanent resident for an applicant who is a Singapore permanent resident
e) Can be of any nationality for an applicant who is a non-Singaporean
 
Repayment startsNot later than 1 year after graduation or on securing employment, whichever is earlier.
 
Minimum repayment amount

$100 per month

Upon graduation, you can opt to repay the HESL account either by a full lump-sum payment, partial payment or monthly instalments.

Maximum repayment period10 years
 
Interest rate

3-month compounded Singapore Overnight Rate Average (3M SORA) plus 1.5%**
Interest will commence after graduation.

** The interest rate is subject to change on a half-yearly basis based on the 3M SORA published on the MAS website on 1 March or 1 September.  For more information on applicable interest rates, please visit OCBC website.

Points to notea) Interest-free during course of study, i.e. interest is computed upon graduation
b) Interest and loan sum are paid to OCBC Bank
c) Repay in full if student withdraws
 
Acronyms used: SC - Singapore Citizen; SPR - Singapore Permanent Resident; IS - Internation Student
** The interest rate is subject to change.
 
CPF EDUCATON LOAN SCHEME
Please refer to CPF website for more information.

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