MOE Tuition Grant & Service Bond Explained

What the MOE Tuition Grant is

The Tuition Grant Scheme is run by Singapore's Ministry of Education (MOE). It is a government subsidy that lowers tuition for approved full-time diploma and undergraduate courses at Singapore's Institutes of Higher Learning, including the autonomous universities.

It is open to Singapore Citizens, Singapore Permanent Residents and international students, though the conditions differ by group. For international students, the grant meaningfully reduces the published tuition fee — but it comes with an obligation attached (see below).

Importantly, the Tuition Grant is a fee subsidy, not a scholarship or stipend. It does not pay for living costs and it is not "free money".

The service obligation (the bond)

International students and permanent residents who take the Tuition Grant must sign a Tuition Grant Agreement and take on a service obligation, commonly described as a three-year bond. This means working for a Singapore-registered company for the bond period after you graduate. (Singapore Citizens who take the grant do not serve this bond.)

MOE notes that the obligation can generally be served in Singapore or overseas with a Singapore-registered company. The exact bond length, eligible employment and conditions are set by MOE and can change.

Before you accept the grant, read the agreement carefully and confirm the current bond period and terms directly on MOE's official pages.

What it covers — and what it doesn't

The grant reduces the tuition fee for eligible courses; you still pay the remaining (subsidised) tuition, which is set annually and varies by course. It does not cover accommodation, food, transport, insurance or other living expenses.

Because it is tied to a work commitment, the Tuition Grant is best thought of as a trade: a lower fee now in exchange for a defined period of work with a Singapore-registered employer later.

For the current grant amounts and the resulting fees you would pay, check the official MOE and university fee pages — do not rely on older or third-party figures.

• Covers: part of tuition for approved full-time diploma/undergraduate courses
• Does not cover: living costs, housing, insurance, travel
• Comes with: a post-graduation service bond for international students/PRs

Do you have to take it?

Taking the Tuition Grant is a choice. If you accept it, you accept the bond; if you decline it, you pay the non-subsidised international tuition fee, which is higher, but you take on no service obligation.

Whether the grant is offered or applied for varies by university and course, and the process is usually handled around the time you accept your admission offer, often through MOE's Tuition Grant & Scholarships (TG&S) Portal.

Weigh the lower fee against the commitment to work in Singapore (or with a Singapore-registered company) after graduating, and decide based on your own plans.

If you don't complete the bond

The Tuition Grant Agreement is a legal commitment. If you do not fulfil the service obligation — for example, you leave early or decide not to serve — you would typically be liable for liquidated damages, effectively repaying the subsidy under set conditions, or "buying out" the bond.

The amounts and rules are set by MOE and depend on your course and circumstances, so treat this as a real financial obligation, not a formality.

This guide is general information, not financial or legal advice. Confirm the current liquidated-damages terms and any buy-out conditions on MOE's official pages, and ask MOE or your university if anything is unclear.

How to apply and where to verify

The Tuition Grant is generally arranged after you are offered admission, through your university and MOE's Tuition Grant & Scholarships (TG&S) Portal, where you (and, if required, a guarantor) complete and sign the agreement. Your university's admissions or finance office can guide you through the steps.

Every figure that matters — the grant amount, the fee you would pay, the bond length, and any liquidated damages — is set by MOE and can change from year to year.

Always verify the current terms on the official MOE Tuition Grant Scheme pages before you commit, and never assume a number quoted elsewhere is up to date.