Starting January 2026, around 31,000 more students across Singapore will qualify for financial assistance, following major revisions by the Ministry of Education (MOE) to its financial aid schemes.
In total, about 133,000 students are expected to benefit from MOE’s financial support each year, the ministry announced on October 16, 2025.
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Higher Income Eligibility Caps
From 2026, the gross household monthly income ceiling for the MOE Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) — which covers government, government-aided, and specialised schools — will increase from $3,000 to $4,000.
The per capita income ceiling will also rise from $750 to $1,000, expanding support for more middle-income families.
These new limits will apply to other MOE aid programs, including those for independent schools and post-secondary education institutions.
The Edusave Merit Bursary income cap will go up from $7,500 to $9,000, while the Uplift Scholarship threshold will rise from $4,400 to $5,500.
The revised criteria for the Edusave Merit Bursary will take effect earlier — in November 2025 — to align with that year’s bursary exercise.
Bigger Transport Subsidies and Bursaries
Students receiving financial assistance will enjoy increased subsidies for transport and higher bursary amounts.
- Primary school bus subsidy: Raised from 65% to 70% of monthly fares.
- Public transport subsidy: Increased from $17 to $21 per month for primary and secondary students.
- Pre-university bursary: Boosted from $1,200 to $1,600 annually, with transport costs now folded into the bursary.
- Uplift Scholarship: Raised from $1,000 to $1,200 a year.
MOE emphasized that these are on top of existing subsidies for school fees, textbooks, uniforms, and meals.
Enhanced Support for Post-Secondary Students
Bursary amounts for students in ITE, polytechnics, and universities will also increase.
- Full-time ITE students (lowest income tier): Continue to have 100% of tuition fees covered, with cash bursaries rising from $1,600 to $1,850.
- Full-time polytechnic students (same tier): Bursary increased from $2,950 to $3,050.
- Middle-income students: Will receive $490 to $2,700, depending on income and institution.
- Part-time students: Bursary amounts will rise by $30 to $250, depending on level and income.
Medical and dental undergraduates from lower-income families will also see out-of-pocket tuition fees capped at $5,000 a year, after applying government and university bursaries.
In addition, the ITE Community Scholarship — given to the top 10% of O- and N-level students — will increase from $1,800 to $2,050 annually.
New System to Simplify Applications
To make applying for financial aid simpler, MOE will launch a new Household Means Eligibility System (Homes) in January 2026.
This system will automatically retrieve household income data from government sources, eliminating the need for most families to submit documents manually.
It will also calculate income based on the past 12 months, considering employment, trade, rental income, bonuses, and allowances — ensuring a fairer and more accurate assessment.
Commitment to Equal Access
MOE reaffirmed that no Singaporean student will be denied access to education because of financial challenges. Students who do not qualify under MOE’s schemes can still apply for school-based or social service agency assistance.
These updates mark the largest expansion of MOE’s financial aid in recent years, following the last revision in 2023, and reflect the ministry’s ongoing commitment to supporting students from all backgrounds.