Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy (TTFS)
Introduction
The Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy (TTFS) Scheme, which was 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. Since 2018, income eligibility criteria for the scheme are revised to benefit more Malay students in tertiary institutions.
Application Period
| Polytechnics, ITE (TED), BCA Academy (Diploma) | NAFA & *SUSS | *Universities & LASALLE |
Application Period I:
15 Feb 2023 – 30 Apr 2023 | Application Period I:
15 May 2023 – 15 Jul 2023 | Application Period I:
1 Jun 2023 – 30 Jul 2023 |
Application Period II:
15 Sep 2023 – 31 Oct 2023 | Application Period II:
21 Nov 2023 – 15 Jan 2024
* Second application period for SUSS will close on 8 Jan 2024 | Application Period II:
21 Nov 2023 – 15 Jan 2024
* Second application period for universities will close on 15 Dec 2023 |
Eligibility CriteriaApplicants must meet the following requirements:
- Student is a Singaporean / Singapore Permanent Resident with one of the parents (biological, adoptive or stepparent), living or deceased, is a Singaporean
- Student’s race or first component of the double-barrelled race is Malay. They include the following: Malay, Acehnese, Ambonese, Banjarese, Batak, Boyanese, Bugis, Butonese, Dayak, Dusun, Iban, Indonesia, Javanese, Kadazan, Kelabit, Makasarese, Melanau, Minangkabau, Murut, Sumatran, Sundanese, and Indonesia Extract
- Student’s monthly Household per capita income (PCI) does not exceed $2,000
| Per Capita Income (PCI) | Percentage of Subsidy |
| PCI < $1,400 | 100% |
| PCI $1,401 – $1,700 | 75% |
| PCI $1,701 – $2,000 | 50% |
PCI is computed as: Total monthly gross income of family / Total number of family members
- Student is eligible for MOE Tuition Grant or an equivalent government subsidy.
- Student is pursuing first diploma or degree on a full-time basis at a local government tertiary institution.
- Malay students who are not receiving any subsidy or are in receipt of partial (75% or 50%) subsidy under the Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy (TTFS), may apply for the Supplementary Assistance Scheme. Please click here for more information.
Reviews
- 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.
- 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.
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.
