Proposal to Revise Government Bursary Quantum for Higher Education to Help Low-income Youths who Study Part-time and Work to Support their Family

Dr Shahira Abdullah asked the Minister for Education for low-income youths who study part-time as they have to work to help support the family, whether the Ministry can consider revising the Government bursary quantum for higher education to cover a 100% tuition fee subsidy.

Mr Chan Chun Sing: The Government provides substantial subsidies for all Singaporean students studying in our publicly-funded post-Secondary education institutions, including those studying part-time. Beyond Government subsidies, Government bursaries are available to support part-time and full-time students from lower- to middle-income families who need further assistance.

As part of our efforts to enhance the affordability of higher education, we enhanced Government bursaries in Academic Year (AY) 2020 for part-time diploma students and undergraduates from lower- and middle-income households. For most part-time Nitec and Higher Nitec students from lower-income households, the annual bursary amount is sufficient to fully cover fees. For part-time diploma students and undergraduates from lower income households, the annual fees they need to pay after Government bursaries are $140 and $2,300 respectively. They can tap on the Post-Secondary Education Account or SkillsFuture Credit to pay this remaining amount. Part-time undergraduates also have the option of tapping on Government loans to pay the remaining amount.

We will continue to review the Government bursaries regularly to ensure that the level of provision remains adequate for Singaporean students.