Plans for Means-tested University Fee Subsidy Scheme at National Level
Ministry of EducationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns whether the Government plans to introduce a national means-tested university tuition subsidy or collaborate with self-help groups to replicate MENDAKI’s scheme, as raised by Mr Fadli Fawzi. Minister Desmond Lee stated that current Government bursaries cover up to 75% of tuition fees for lower- and middle-income families and undergo regular reviews to ensure adequacy. He noted that income eligibility thresholds will be raised in Academic Year 2026 to a gross monthly household income of $12,000 and a per capita income of $3,000. While there are no plans for other self-help groups to implement similar schemes, autonomous universities continue to offer additional financial assistance alongside national bursaries. The Government remains open to private and community-led initiatives for specific student groups, though national schemes and MENDAKI’s subsidies currently address these educational needs.
Transcript
51 Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Minister for Education (a) whether the Government has any plans to work with other community self-help groups to introduce a means-tested university subsidy scheme similar to MENDAKI's Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy scheme or to introduce such a scheme at the national level; and (b) if not, why not.
Mr Desmond Lee: Singaporean students from lower- and middle-income families pursuing an undergraduate degree in our autonomous universities may apply for a Government bursary, which covers up to 75% of the subsidised tuition fees for general degree courses. The bursaries are reviewed regularly to ensure that they are adequate. In October 2025, we announced that the income eligibility threshold will be raised from Academic Year 2026, from the gross monthly household income of $10,000, to $12,000; and gross monthly household per capita income from $2,500, to $3,000.
The autonomous universities also offer other financial assistance, on top of the Government bursaries provided.
MENDAKI’s Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy complements broader national financial assistance schemes by providing additional means-tested subsidies for Malay students from lower- and middle-income households. There are no plans for other self-help groups to offer a similar scheme.
The Government continues to welcome private organisations and individuals, social service agencies and self-help groups to provide additional assistance to meet the needs of specific communities or groups of students in their pursuit of higher education.