Extension of UPLIFT Scholarship to All Eligible Lower-income Students Admitted to Independent Schools
Ministry of EducationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan’s proposal to expand the UPLIFT Scholarship to all lower-income students in independent schools meeting specific income criteria, regardless of their admission route. Minister Chan Chun Sing explained that the scholarship currently targets lower-income students admitted via Direct School Admissions or who qualify for Edusave Scholarships for Independent Schools. He noted that the Ministry of Education provides the Independent School Bursary, offering 100% fee subsidies and miscellaneous support for families earning $3,000 or less. For those earning up to $4,400, subsidies ensure fees match Government schools, with all schemes reviewed regularly to maintain broad educational access. Minister Chan Chun Sing concluded that the current framework preserves scholarship objectives while providing all lower-income students with substantial financial assistance.
Transcript
24 Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Minister for Education whether the Ministry will consider expanding the UPLIFT Scholarship to all lower-income students admitted to independent schools whose families meet the eligibility criteria of $4,400 or less monthly gross household income or $1,100 or less monthly per capita income, instead of limiting the scholarship only to those lower-income students admitted to independent schools through Direct School Admissions (DSA) or who have qualified for the Edusave Scholarships for Independent Schools (ESIS).
Mr Chan Chun Sing: The UPLIFT Scholarship recognises the outstanding achievements of Singaporean students from lower-income families in Independent Schools (IS) and Specialised Independent Schools (SIS). To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be recipients of the Edusave Scholarship for Independent Schools, or admitted to IS/SISes through Direct School Admissions.
Besides the UPLIFT Scholarship, the Ministry of Education (MOE) provides financial assistance to Singaporean students from lower-to-middle income households in IS/SISes. Students from families with a monthly gross household income of $3,000 or less, or per capita income of $750 or less, receive 100% subsidies in their fees through the Independent School Bursary, and also receive meal and transport subsidies, as well as free textbooks and school attire. Students from families with gross household income of $3,001 to $4,400 receive significant subsidies on their fees such that they only need to pay the same fees as students in Government schools.
The current arrangement allows us to preserve the objectives of the UPLIFT scholarship while ensuring that all lower-income students studying in Independent Schools can have access to substantial financial assistance. MOE reviews our financial assistance schemes regularly to support deserving Singaporean students in their education journey, so that all students can access education opportunities regardless of their backgrounds.