Come 2020, around 2,100 eligible Singaporeans enrolled in Ministry of Education (MOE)-subsidised part-time undergraduate and diploma courses will be able to get higher bursaries to offset their fees.

The MOE projects that it will spend S$2.8 million per annum for these part-time bursaries, up from the current S$1.8 million.

This announcement, made on Tuesday (Dec. 17) afternoon, is part of MOE's efforts to make higher education for part-time students studying at publicly-funded Post-Secondary Education Institutions (PSEIs) more affordable.

New income tiers for higher education bursary

To further support students from lower income families, MOE will also introduce a new income tier for the bursary.

Tier 1: Families with gross household income of up to S$4,000

The first tier is for families with a gross household income of up to S$4,000, or which earn a per capita income of S$1,000.

Part-time university course undergraduates who fall into this tier will be entitled to receive an annual bursary of S$2,500, up from the current S$1,350.

Part-time diploma students will be entitled to an annual bursary of S$800, up from the current S$600.

Tier 2: Families with gross household income of between S$4,001 and S$6,900

The second tier is for families with a gross household income of between S$4,001 and S$6,900, or a per capita income between S$1,001 and S$1,725.

Part-time university undergraduates who fall within this tier will be entitled to receive an annual bursary of S$1,600, up from the current S$1,350.

Part-time diploma students will get an annual bursary of S$660, up from the current S$600.

Tier 3: Families with gross household income between S$6,901 and S$9,000

The third tier for families with a gross household income between S$6,901 and S$9,000, or a per capita income between S$1,726 and S$2,250, will remain unchanged.

Part-time undergraduates from this tier will continue to receive an annual bursary of S$700, while part-time diploma students will continue to receive S$300.

Together with the bursary enhancements for full-time students, MOE says it hopes Singaporeans will have greater financial support in pursuing their academic aspirations, regardless of their financial background.

Top image via Element5 Digital on Unsplash