Overview of the MOE Enhancements
Singapore’s Ministry of Education (MOE) unveiled a suite of enhancements to its financial aid schemes that will raise income eligibility ceilings and expand transport subsidies for students across primary, secondary, and post-secondary levels. The changes, planned to take effect mostly in 2026 with some adjustments starting in late 2025, aim to extend support to an additional 31,000 students from lower- and middle-income households and bring the total beneficiaries of MOE’s financial assistance programs to about 133,000 per year.
Education Minister Desmond Lee described the move as a step to ensure every Singaporean child and youth can continue accessing schooling and post-secondary programmes, regardless of family finances. The plan was announced on Oct 16 and highlights a broader push to reduce education-related costs for families while maintaining fair means-testing standards.
Which Schemes Will Be Affected?
Six MOE means-tested schemes will see revised income criteria to extend eligibility:
- MOE Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) for Government and Government-Aided Schools (GGAS) and Specialised Schools (SS)
- Special Education (SPED) FAS for MOE-funded SPED schools
- MOE Independent School Bursary (MOE ISB) in Independent Schools and Specialised Independent Schools (ISSIS)
- UPLIFT Scholarship for ISSIS
- Edusave Merit Bursary for GGAS, SS, ISSIS, Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and Polytechnics
- Government bursaries for Post-Secondary Education Institutions (PSEIs)
As an example, the gross household monthly income ceiling for MOE FAS and SPED FAS will rise from S$3,000 to S$4,000, and the per capita income ceiling will increase from S$750 to S$1,000. These changes are structured to help more families manage ongoing education costs.
Administrative Improvements: HOMES
MOE and PSEIs will roll out the Household Means Eligibility System (HOMES) from the 2026 Academic Year to streamline applications and means-testing. HOMES is designed to reduce the need for supporting documents, easing the application process for many families. The system will consider the household income of all family members living with the student and the average income over the past 12 months, providing a fairer and more representative measure of the family’s financial situation. All forms of income, including employment, trade, bonuses, allowances, and even rental income, will be included in the assessment, as reflected in IRAS notices.
Enhanced Financial Support: Transport and Bursaries
The MOE also announced increased transport subsidies to reduce daily costs for students. Primary school students on financial assistance will see the school bus subsidy rise from 65% to 70% of the monthly bus fare, while public transport subsidies for primary and secondary students will increase from S$17 to S$21 per month.
In a related measure, the annual pre-university bursary quantum will climb from S$1,200 to S$1,600, with the S$21 monthly transport subsidy folded into this annual bursary package. This adjustment also applies to pre-university students receiving assistance under the MOE ISB.
UPLIFT and PSEI Support
The UPLIFT Scholarship for ISSIS will rise from S$1,000 to S$1,200 annually to better support academically strong students from lower-income households in ISSIS with notable talents or strengths.
MOE will also raise bursary quanta for both full-time and part-time students at publicly funded PSEIs. Specifically, high-need diploma and ITE students will continue to receive substantial subsidies, with additional cash bursaries to cover education-related costs. For medical and dental students, the government bursary will be revised so that those qualifying for the highest tier pay no more than S$5,000 per year in tuition, after considering university support.
Looking Ahead
These changes reflect MOE’s broader strategy to reduce barriers to education and to ensure that financial considerations do not impede Singaporean students from pursuing their educational goals. By increasing income ceilings, simplifying applications with HOMES, and expanding transport subsidies, the initiative seeks to promote greater inclusivity across the education system while maintaining robust means-testing for fairness.
