NUS student, 23, suggested to his dad to take up food delivery during pandemic, which led to bond-free S$15,000 Grab scholarship

When Sun Yuena took up GrabFood delivery five years ago as a way to make ends meet after the pandemic struck, he did not expect that his vocation would someday lead to his son receiving a S$15,000 bond-free scholarship from Grab for his university studies.

His son, Kangyu, is a second-year double major in quantitative finance and computer science at the National University of Singapore.

The math lover, who is hoping to get into consulting or banking in the future, said the scholarship has been a game-changer: It has freed him up to pursue his interests, while leaving him feeling more financially secure.

And he probably has the Grab delivery-partner email notification to thank for it.

Kangyu said: “I don't think you’d ever hear about this type of company scholarships, unless you work for the company.”

Dad encouraged son to just apply for it

What opened the door to applying for the Grab’s Emerald Circle Scholarships was Kangyu’s good relationship with his dad.

Father and son would look out for each other, and Yuena would keep Kangyu in the loop about financial matters without hesitation.

Yuena initially received an email notification as a Grab delivery partner informing him and other driver-partners about the scholarship and the opening of the application process in April 2025.

Yuena, who is the family’s sole breadwinner, then told his son to “just apply” and give it a shot.

This process of getting started was fuss-free as there was minimal prompting needed for Kangyu to look into it.

Kangyu subsequently found the process straightforward, which was “a bit unexpected”.

He had doubts at first as to whether he would even be successful in his application, as he said he felt he was not the most needy or the most capable applicant.

But his doubts were erased when he received a call in May 2025 to go for an interview.

The scholarship application was successful in the same month.

Grab has been awarding yearly scholarships for local universities of up to S$15,000 each applicant per year since 2018, no bonds attached, making it the highest bond-free scholarship in the market.

Scholarship came in handy

Even without the scholarship, Kangyu was certain his father would still provide and he would find ways to help out.

Kangyu said: “Even though our family wasn't rich, my dad still gave me all the things that I wanted when I was growing up.”

Now that he has been awarded the scholarship, he could cut down on the number of students and hours he gives tuition, so that he can devote more time to bouldering, which he has been doing once to twice a week.

He is also left with more pocket money too and gets to participate in hackathon competitions as a way to enrich his academic experience and gain more skills in a tertiary institution.

From construction industry to food delivery

Kangyu explained that his father was in the construction industry working as a security officer before he took up food delivery.

When the Covid-19 pandemic struck in 2020, construction works ground to a halt and Kangyu’s dad was unable to continue working.

Kangyu said it was his idea for his father to try food delivery at that time to earn an income.

He said he knew the job was something his father could start almost immediately and that it was very helpful in ensuring he continued to earn a living.

Kangyu’s dad made the jump to food delivery in 2021.

Over time, his father found the job flexible as it gave him freedom to plan his time, such as working during the day and around meal times, his hours are not fixed and he has control over his time and schedule.

His father would hit the daily incentives offered for completing a fixed number of delivery jobs and then head home.

But working in the construction industry was still tougher and more stressful in comparison, Kangyu said.

For example, his dad was responsible for the safety of the workers and his decisions had a direct impact on the people he oversaw.

Like father, like son

Kangyu has tried his hand at GrabFood delivery as well.

From the limited orders that he has completed using his bicycle in his neighbourhood, he found the experience manageable.

He did it because it helped put things in perspective: Food delivery is not as tough as working in construction, but it is a different ball game from giving tuition.

When it comes to academic studies, Kangyu said he cannot shrug off the feeling of being responsible for the children and their academic results.

Ultimately, Kangyu said he has discovered other motivations for him delivering food.

He said: “Actually I just treat it as a way of exercising. Because, you know, school curriculum is so stressful, and I don't have much time to go and exercise, right?”

“You can exercise while earning money,” he added.

Are you a Grab driver or delivery-partner? Children of a Grab driver or delivery partner? Grab’s Emerald Circle Scholarships applications are now open till May 14. Click here for more information.