Higher Education Bursary

Funded by the Government, the Higher Education Bursary (formerly known as the MOE Bursary) provides financial assistance to Singaporean students from the lower to middle income groups , as part of the Government's commitment to ensure that no able students are deterred by the cost of post-secondary education due to their financial circumstances.

• Full-time subsidised undergraduate students
• Singapore Citizens
• Tier 1: PCI between $1,101 and $1,875 or GHI between $4,401 and $7,500
• Tier 2: PCI between $1,876 and $2,500 or GHI between $7,501 and $10,000

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 Higher Education Bursary and a university financial award (SMU Study Award Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3A or Tier 3B) is not allowed.
• Concurrent receipt of Higher Education Bursary and a scholarship/study award/study grant/bursary* awarded by SMU is allowed.
• Concurrent receipt of Higher Education Bursary and a scholarship/study award/study grant/bursary* awarded by an external organisation is not allowed, unless approved by the University.

*Excluding those providing for tuition fees and monthly or annual living allowance.

Higher Education Bursary Tier 1

• $3,250 (cash allowance)
• Tenable for one year of study
• A new application is required for subsequent year's award

Higher Education Bursary Tier 2

• $1,350 (cash allowance)
• Tenable for one year of study
• A new application is required for subsequent year's award

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.

Matriculated Students

• Apply via student portal, OASIS (All Apps – Financial Aid Application), using student computer account username and password.
• Application period:
  - 1 January to 31 March
• The application exercises are for the same year of award in the academic year the applicants are in active study.
• The applicant is to submit a new application if he/she wishes to be considered for a bursary again in the subsequent year of study.

Prospective Students

• Apply via Applicant's Self Service by 31 May in the year of commencement of studies.
• Offer to successful applicants is subject to successful matriculation into SMU for commencement of studies in the year of award.

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