FULL-TIME SINGAPOREAN UNDERGRADUATES FROM LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS TO HAVE NUS TUITION FEES FULLY COVERED Students who need more help will receive additional financial support for living expenses, on-campus stay and overseas programmes.
STARTING FROM THE NEW ACADEMIC YEAR COMMENCING IN AUGUST 2022, full-time Singaporean undergraduates enrolled in the National University of Singapore (NUS) will have their tuition fees fully covered if they are from households with a Per Capita Income (PCI) of up to $1,000. The University will top up the existing Government Bursary to fully fund tuition fees for these students. In addition, full-time Singaporean undergraduates at NUS who are from households whose PCI does not exceed $690 will receive additional financial support for living expenses, on-campus stay and overseas exposure. To do this, the University plans to set aside an additional funding of $15 million per year to strengthen financial assistance for Singaporean undergraduate students who are from families with a PCI not exceeding $1,000. Both incoming and existing Singaporean full-time undergraduate students who meet the PCI criteria will be eligible for the enhanced financial aid. NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye (Science ’85) said, “Education is a driver of social mobility, and NUS has helped transform the lives of generations of students since our founding. It is a role we take very seriously. We are committed to providing a transformative educational experience for every NUS student, regardless of their financial background.” He added, “While students from lowincome backgrounds may already receive financial assistance from various sources,
NUS President Prof Tan Eng Chye (left) with Quantedge Foundation Board member Mr Suhaimi Zainul-Abidin (centre) and NUS Senior Deputy President and Provost Prof Ho Teck Hua (right).
the funding they receive may not cover all of their university costs. Some students may also shy away from studying abroad as well as residential programmes due to financial constraints. “The new Enhanced Financial Aid Scheme will fill the financial gap for students who are most in need of support. It provides additional funding to Singaporean students from low-income backgrounds on two fronts: by fully funding tuition fees and covering part of their living expenses; and enabling access to a more well-rounded and richer university experience that would include an on-campus stay and overseas exposure. We are grateful that some donors have come forward to help the University to realise this important initiative. We hope more will support us.” About 3,300 Singaporean undergraduate students from low-income
backgrounds are expected to benefit from the University’s latest enhancement of its financial assistance for students. Ms Melanis Tai (Arts and Social Sciences ’22), a financial aid beneficiary who had recently graduated from NUS, said, “Financial aid has really helped me as an NUS student — I had more time to focus and excel in my studies, and the bursary also covered part of my expenses during my Student Exchange Programme at the University of Sydney. With more financial support, current and future batches of NUS students with a similar background as myself will not need to worry about their tuition fees. They could also enjoy studying at partner universities across the world or stay on campus to experience the vibrant NUS student life, without much financial stress.” “Education often opens doors to opportunities and success. And college is often
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