Which university gives more financial aid money?

It depends on your PCI. At PCI ≤ S$750, NUS gives more total money (higher living allowance + OEG). At PCI S$751–S$1,100, NTU gives more because it includes a S$3,000/yr living allowance that NUS does not. Above S$1,100, both give the same HECB base amount.

Do I need to apply separately for NUS and NTU financial aid?

Yes. Each university has its own financial aid portal and application form. If you are choosing between NUS and NTU, you should submit applications at both universities. There is no penalty for applying to both.

Can I transfer my financial aid if I switch university?

No. Financial aid is university-specific. If you transfer from NUS to NTU (or vice versa), you must submit a fresh application at the new university. Your previous financial aid package does not carry over.

Is the bursary a loan or a grant?

It is a grant. You do not need to repay any part of the NUS Enhanced Financial Aid or NTU Bursary. This applies to both the government HECB component and the university top-up component.

What if my PCI is just above S$1,100?

You will receive the HECB Tier 3 amount (S$3,250/yr) at both universities. NTU notes that additional top-up may be available subject to review - apply and let the financial aid office assess your case. NUS provides partial coverage at the HECB Tier 3 level. If your circumstances are unusual (e.g., sudden income drop), contact the university's financial aid office directly.

Can I hold a scholarship and a bursary at the same time?

Generally, yes. Scholarships and bursaries serve different purposes - scholarships reward merit, bursaries address financial need. However, some scholarships that include full tuition coverage may reduce the tuition component of your bursary. Check with your university's financial aid office for the specific stacking policy.

What happens if my family income changes after I enrol?

Both NUS and NTU require you to reapply for financial aid every academic year with updated income documents. If your family income drops, your PCI will decrease and you may qualify for a higher tier. If your income increases, your aid may be reduced. Contact your university's financial aid office immediately if you experience a sudden change in financial circumstances - both universities have provisions for mid-year reassessment.

Do PRs or international students qualify for these bursaries?

The HECB and the university top-ups described in this comparison are for Singapore Citizens. PRs may qualify for a reduced HECB amount - check MOE's factsheet. International students should check with their university's financial aid office for separate schemes. ---

Study guide23 Mar 2026, 08:00 Z

NUS vs NTU Financial Aid 2026: Side-by-Side Bursary Comparison

TL;DR

For PCI ≤ S$750, NUS gives more total money (higher living allowance + OEG). For PCI S$751–S$1,100, NTU is better because it includes a S$3,000/yr living allowance that NUS does not offer at this tier. Above S$1,100, both universities rely…

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Last updated 23 Mar 2026

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Government HECB Base (Same for Both)
Side-by-Side: University Top-Up
Which Should You Choose?
Application Process Comparison

Q: Which university has better financial aid - NUS or NTU?
A: It depends on your income tier. NUS offers a larger package at the lowest PCI band $\leq S$750$ with a S$4,000/yr living allowance and S$10,000 Opportunity Enhancement Grant. NTU offers a S$3,000/yr living allowance at a wider income range $PCI \leq S$1,100$ , covering one tier more than NUS. Above S$1,100, both universities provide only the government HECB base.

TL;DR For PCI ≤ S$750, NUS gives more total money (higher living allowance + OEG). For PCI S$751–S$1,100, NTU is better because it includes a S$3,000/yr living allowance that NUS does not offer at this tier. Above S$1,100, both universities rely on the same government HECB base - the difference is negligible.

If you have...	Read this first
1 second	The answer changes by PCI tier.
10 seconds	Check PCI, HECB tier, NUS OEG, NUS living allowance, NTU living allowance, and each portal deadline.
100 seconds	Use aid as one factor beside course fit, travel, housing, and career outcomes.
Concrete example	A student at PCI S$900 may value NTU's S$3,000 living allowance more than NUS's lowest-tier OEG.
Best next step	Calculate PCI first, then compare the NUS and NTU rows for that exact tier.

PCI band	HECB annual quantum
≤ S$750 (Tier 1)	S$6,300/yr
S$751–S$1,100 (Tier 2)	S$5,100/yr
S$1,101–S$1,500 (Tier 3)	S$3,250/yr
S$1,501–S$3,000 (Tier 4)	S$1,350/yr

PCI band	NUS tuition	NUS living allowance	NUS extras	NTU tuition	NTU living allowance	NTU extras
≤ S$750	100% covered	S$4,000/yr	S$10,000 OEG (over 4 yrs)	100% covered	S$3,000/yr	-
S$751–S$1,100	100% covered	-	-	100% covered	S$3,000/yr	-
S$1,101–S$1,500	Partial (HECB Tier 3)	-	-	Partial + top-up subject to review	-	-
S$1,501–S$3,000	Partial (HECB Tier 4)	-	-	Partial + top-up subject to review	-	-

	NUS	NTU
Portal	NUS myPortal	NTU Student Portal
Freshmen window	May–June	March–May
Continuing students	June–July	July–August
Key deadline	Check myPortal	31 July (for August outcome)
Processing time	4–6 weeks	4–6 weeks (August if by 31 Jul)
Single form?	Yes (covers HECB + NUS top-up)	Yes (covers HECB + NTU top-up)

Scheme	Stacks with NUS/NTU bursary?	Notes
CDAC Post-Secondary	Yes	Apply separately via CDAC
MENDAKI TTFS	Yes	Apply separately via MyMENDAKI
SINDA/SIET	Yes	Apply separately via SINDA
LBKM	Yes	Apply separately via LBKM
Other university donated bursaries	Yes	One NUS/NTU application covers all

NUS vs NTU Financial Aid 2026: Side-by-Side Bursary Comparison

Sources

Government HECB Base (Same for Both)

Side-by-Side: University Top-Up

Which Should You Choose?

Application Process Comparison

Stacking Rules

Frequently Asked Questions

Useful Links

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