My child attends an independent school - should I apply for FAS or ISB?

Apply for the Independent School Bursary (ISB) - not FAS. Independent schools (those that charge fees above the government-assisted school rate) operate under the ISB, not FAS. The income thresholds and benefit levels are similar at the lowest tier, but ISB has additional tiers for higher-income families.

Can a Singapore Permanent Resident apply for FAS?

FAS is generally for Singapore Citizens. PRs may access school-based bursaries or community schemes. Check with the school for PR-specific financial assistance options.

What if my income changes mid-year (e.g. retrenchment)?

Contact your child's school general office promptly. MOE allows mid-year income reassessments in genuine hardship cases. Bring updated payslips, CPF statements, or a retrenchment letter.

Does FAS affect eligibility for the Edusave Merit Bursary (EMB)?

No. EMB has a higher income cut-off (GHI ≤ S$9,000 vs FAS's S$4,000) and adds an academic merit criterion. FAS and EMB can be received in the same year.

Are textbooks and uniforms really free - do I need to do anything to get them?

Yes, they are free once FAS is approved. Schools issue textbook vouchers redeemable at the school bookshop. The school arranges uniform vouchers/sets. Make sure FAS approval arrives before Term 1 Week 3 when textbook distribution typically peaks. ---

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MOE Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) 2026: Income Limits, Benefits & Application

TL;DR

From January 2026, MOE FAS income thresholds are GHI ≤ S$4,000 or PCI ≤ S$1,000.

Sponsor: Ministry of Education (MOE)Bond: Bond-FreeOverseas: Primarily Singapore

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Download printable cheat-sheet (CC-BY 4.0)

21 Mar 2026, 08:00 Z· Last updated 21 Mar 2026

Reviewed by

Marcus Pang·Managing Director (Maths)

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Q: What does the MOE Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) 2026 guide cover?
A: Updated income thresholds from Jan 2026, full benefits breakdown by school level, step-by-step application process, document checklist, how FAS compares to the Independent School Bursary (ISB), and stacking tips with Edusave and community bursaries.

TL;DR From January 2026, MOE FAS income thresholds are GHI ≤ S $4,000 or PCI ≤ S$ 1,000. The scheme covers 100% of school/miscellaneous fees, free textbooks and uniform, weekly meals, and transport subsidies across primary, secondary, and pre-university levels. Apply through your child's school general office in Term 1.

Status: Checked 2026-03-21 against MOE's financial assistance page; thresholds effective from Jan 2026 per MOE AY2026 factsheet.

Quick links: Bursaries hub, Bursaries & grants map, 2026 bursary application guide, Scholarship & Bursary Matcher

Income Thresholds (Effective Jan 2026)

From January 2026, the MOE FAS income thresholds are:

Criterion	2026 threshold
Gross Household Income (GHI)

Benefit	Detail
School and miscellaneous fees	100% waived
Textbooks	Free
School uniform and attire	Free
School meals	7 subsidised meals per week (school canteen)
Transport subsidy	70% of school bus fare, or S$21/month for public transport

Benefit	Detail
School and miscellaneous fees	100% waived
Exam fees	100% waived
Textbooks	Free
School uniform and attire	Free
School meals	10 subsidised meals per week
Transport subsidy	70% of school bus fare, or S$21/month for public transport

Benefit	Detail
School and miscellaneous fees	100% waived
Annual bursary	S$1,600
Transport	S$21/month (public transport credit)

	MOE FAS	Independent School Bursary (ISB)
Applies to	Government and government-aided schools	Independent schools (e.g. ACS, Raffles, SCGS, etc.)
Income cut-off (full tier)	GHI ≤ S $4,000 or PCI ≤ S$ 1,000	GHI ≤ S $4,000 or PCI ≤ S$ 1,000
Higher income tiers	Not available under FAS	Up to GHI S $12,000 / PCI S$ 3,000 (tiered partial subsidies)
Fees covered (lowest tier)	100% school + misc + exam fees	100% school + misc + exam fees (equivalent to FAS/GGAS rate)
Application route	School general office	Independent school's finance office
Stackable with community bursaries	Yes	Yes

MOE Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) 2026: Income Limits, Benefits & Application

Income Thresholds (Effective Jan 2026)

Sources

Benefits by School Level

Primary School (P1–P6)

Secondary School (Sec 1–4/5)

Pre-University - Junior College & Millennia Institute

FAS vs Independent School Bursary (ISB)

FAS + Edusave Merit Bursary: Can They Stack?

Step-by-Step Application

Document Checklist

Annual Renewal

Stacking with Community Bursaries

Frequently Asked Questions

Useful Links

Related Posts

Scheme	Can stack with FAS?
Edusave Merit Bursary	Yes
CDAC bursaries (primary/secondary)	Yes
MENDAKI SAS (for Malay/Muslim students)	Yes
SINDA bursaries (for Indian community)	Yes
School-based bursaries	Yes