Scholarships·East & Southeast Asia· 8 min read

Scholarships for International Students in Singapore

A secular guide to scholarships and funding for international students in Singapore — university awards, government schemes, the Tuition Grant and avoiding scams.

Last updated 12 July 2026

Key facts

Eligibility basis: Secular only — merit, need, field, or nationality (never religion)
Most-used support: MOE Tuition Grant (subsidy + service bond) — verify on MOE site
Government/ASEAN schemes: Often nationality-restricted — check eligibility first
University awards: NUS / NTU / SMU merit scholarships — verify amounts on official sites
Guarantees: No award is guaranteed; never pay to 'secure' one
Guidance status: General information, not financial advice

How funding for international students works

Funding to study in Singapore usually comes from a mix of sources rather than a single scholarship: the government's Tuition Grant subsidy, merit or need-based scholarships from your university, and any external awards you qualify for. Very few students have their entire cost covered by one award, so plan a combination.

Eligibility is decided purely on secular criteria — academic merit, financial need, chosen field of study, or (for some government schemes) nationality. Awards are never based on religion, and this guide covers only the official, secular terms.

Scholarships are competitive. No scholarship is guaranteed, and any service that promises a 'guaranteed' award in exchange for a fee is a warning sign to avoid.

The MOE Tuition Grant (a subsidy, not a scholarship)

The Ministry of Education (MOE) Tuition Grant is the most widely used form of support and the one most Indian and international students rely on. It is a subsidy that lowers tuition at the autonomous universities and polytechnics — not a scholarship, and it does not cover living costs.

In return for the subsidised rate, international recipients sign a Tuition Grant bond committing them to work for a Singapore-registered company for a set period (commonly three years) after graduating. You should factor this obligation into your decision.

Because the subsidised fee and the bond conditions are set by MOE and can change, read the current terms directly on the MOE website before assuming what you will pay or owe.

Government and regional scholarship schemes

Singapore government scholarships exist, but many carry nationality or programme restrictions. Regional awards such as ASEAN-focused scholarships (for example, schemes for citizens of ASEAN member states) are typically open only to specific nationalities, which means many Indian applicants will not be eligible for them.

Always read the eligibility section first. A scholarship that requires a particular citizenship, or targets a specific school level or field, may simply not apply to you — and that is normal.

Where a government scheme is administered by a ministry or a specific programme office, apply only through that official channel and never through a third party claiming to arrange it for you.

University scholarships and awards

The autonomous universities — including NUS, NTU, and SMU — offer their own merit-based scholarships and scholars' programmes, some of which are open to strong international applicants. These can range from partial fee support to more comprehensive awards, and the most prestigious ones are highly competitive.

Many university scholarships are considered automatically when you apply for admission, while others need a separate application with essays, references, or an interview. Check each university's admissions and financial-aid pages to see what exists and how to be considered.

Do not assume amounts or coverage from unofficial sources. Award values, criteria, and deadlines vary by university and year, so confirm them on the official university website.

How to apply — and how to avoid scams

Start early: identify the awards you are genuinely eligible for, note their deadlines (often aligned with admission deadlines), and prepare the documents each one requires. Apply through the university's or ministry's official portal only.

Be alert to scholarship scams. Legitimate scholarships do not ask you to pay a fee to 'secure' or 'guarantee' an award, do not promise admission alongside funding, and are never sold through agents. If anyone guarantees a scholarship or a seat for money, walk away.

This is general guidance, not financial advice. For questions about specific eligibility, contact the university's admissions or financial-aid office directly through its official contact details.

Apply only through official university or ministry portals.
Never pay a fee to 'guarantee' a scholarship or seat.
Read the eligibility (including any nationality rule) before applying.
Watch deadlines — many align with admission deadlines.

Frequently asked questions

Can Indian students get scholarships to study in Singapore?

Yes, some university merit scholarships are open to strong international applicants, and most students also use the MOE Tuition Grant subsidy. However, several government and ASEAN-focused schemes are restricted to specific nationalities, so Indian applicants may not qualify for those. Check each award's eligibility on the official website.

Is the MOE Tuition Grant a scholarship?

No. It is a government tuition subsidy that lowers fees at participating institutions, not a scholarship, and it does not cover living costs. International recipients must sign a bond to work for a Singapore-registered company for a set period after graduation. Verify current terms on the MOE website.

Do scholarships cover living costs too?

It depends entirely on the award. Some comprehensive university scholarships include a living allowance; many only reduce tuition; and the Tuition Grant covers no living costs at all. Read each award's coverage carefully on the official university or scheme page before relying on it.

How do I avoid scholarship scams?

Apply only through official university or ministry portals, and treat any request for a fee to 'guarantee' a scholarship or seat as a scam. Legitimate scholarships are not sold by agents and do not promise admission in exchange for money. When unsure, confirm directly with the university's financial-aid office.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: MOE — Tuition Grant Scheme; NUS — Scholarships (official); NTU — Admissions & scholarships (official); SMU — Admissions (official).

Last verified: 12 July 2026.