The Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy (TTFS) scheme, introduced in 1991, is an education subsidy for Malay students, which covers their tuition fees at tertiary institutions.
With effect from 1 January 2011, students with Malay as their first component race of a double-barrelled race (i.e. Malay-Indian or Malay-Chinese) are also eligible for the scheme. The Government, together with Yayasan MENDAKI in 2012, has revised the income eligibility criteria for the scheme to benefit more Malay students in tertiary institutions.
Criteria
2 The income criteria is based on a three-tier system where students who come from households with per capita monthly household income (PCI) of below $1,500 will be eligible for the following TTFS subsidies:
|
Per Capita Income (PCI) |
Eligible Subsidy |
|
$1,000 and below |
100% |
|
$1,001 - $1,200 |
75% |
|
$1,201 - $1,500 |
50% |
3 The eligibility criteria:
a) Income Eligibility Criterion – Per capita monthly household income (PCI). This takes into account household size to reflect the family’s financial situation.
b) Three-Tier System – The principle of differentiating subsidies for households with different abilities to provide for their children. At the same time, it allows for a gradual differentiation of subsidies for households with different income levels.
c) Income Eligibility Caps – the maximum income cap of PCI $1,500 corresponds to a household income of about $6,000 for a four-member household.
Coverage of Malay Households
4 Consistent with the founding principles of TTFS, the income eligibility criteria will ensure that students in financially challenged families are not denied access to higher education, while cultivating the spirit of self-reliance in more well-to-do families.
5 As Malay households continue to progress financially, the Government will review the income criteria periodically to ensure that no less than two-thirds of Malay households in Singapore continue to benefit from the TTFS scheme.
6 MENDAKI will exercise flexibility in approving subsidies for families with extenuating circumstances, such as those supporting more than one child for tertiary education or families who may have members with chronic medical problems. This appeal mechanism will continue to function.
7 A list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) can be found
here.
8 The application form can be downloaded
here.
9 Please click below for more information on the various institutions:
10 Malay students who are not receiving any subsidy or are in receipt of partial (75% & 50%) subsidy under the Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy (TTFS), may apply for the Supplementary Assistance Loan Scheme (SAS). Please click
here for more information on SAS.