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Q: How much bursary can an ITE student get from the government in 2026? A: Between S490andS1,850 per academic year through HECB/HEB, plus an additional S$200/month through the Monthly Financial Assistance Scheme (MFAS) for the lowest-income tier. This guide covers all 4 tiers, MFAS eligibility, and stacking with community bursaries.
TL;DR
ITE students receive the same government HECB/HEB bursary as polytechnic students, but at ITE-specific quanta. The lowest-income tier GHI ≤ S$4,000 receives S1,850/yearplusS200/month in MFAS. All tiers are bond-free and applied through ITE's HOMES portal. You can stack these with CDAC, MENDAKI TTFS, and SINDA/SIET.
Status: AY2026 quanta verified 2026-03-21. Figures from the MOE financial assistance page for PSEIs.
MOE funds two bursary schemes for ITE students - HECB (lower income, Tiers 1–2) and HEB (middle income, Tiers 1–2). The bursary is applied to your student account each semester. All tiers are bond-free.
Tier
GHI
PCI
Annual quantum (Nitec / Higher Nitec)
HECB Tier 1
≤ S$4,000
≤ S$1,000
S$1,850
HECB Tier 2
S4,001–S5,500
S1,001–S1,375
S$1,400
HEB Tier 1
S5,501–S9,000
S1,376–S2,250
S$700
HEB Tier 2
S9,001–S12,000
S2,251–S3,000
S$490
You qualify if you meet either the GHI or the PCI threshold - use whichever gives you the better result.
How PCI Is Calculated
Per-Capita Income (PCI) = Total gross monthly household income ÷ Number of household members living at the same address (including the student and non-working members).
Worked example: A family of 5 has two working adults earning S2,500andS1,800/month. GHI = S4,300.PCI=S4,300 ÷ 5 = S860. This family qualifies for HECB Tier 1 under PCI \( ≤ S1,000 \), even though GHI (S$4,300) would only qualify for Tier 2.
ITE Monthly Financial Assistance Scheme (MFAS)
MFAS is a separate scheme from the HECB/HEB bursary. It provides S$200/month to cover transport and daily meal costs for full-time ITE students.
Criterion
Threshold
GHI
≤ S$4,000/month
PCI
≤ S$1,000/month
The income threshold is the same as HECB Tier 1. If you qualify for HECB Tier 1, you are eligible for MFAS as well.
MFAS stacks with HECB. A Tier 1 student can receive S$1,850/year (HECB) plus S200/month(MFAS),totallingroughlyS4,250 in a 12-month academic year. These are two separate disbursements - the bursary is credited to your student account, while MFAS is paid monthly.
How to Apply
ITE bursary applications are submitted through the HOMES portal (ITE's integrated student services system).
Log in to HOMES. Use your ITE student credentials at the start of each academic year. The financial assistance module is under Student Services.
Gather income documents. Collect payslips, CPF contribution statements, and IRAS Notice of Assessment for all working household members. See the document checklist below.
Submit your application online. Upload scanned copies of all supporting documents. Declare all household members and their income status.
Track your application. HOMES shows the status of your application. Processing typically takes 4–6 weeks from the submission deadline.
Renew annually. Bursaries must be reapplied for each academic year. Updated income documents are required even if your circumstances have not changed.
Document Checklist
Prepare the following before you start your application:
NRIC (front and back) for the student and all household members
Latest 3 months' payslips for all working household members
Latest CPF Contribution History for all working household members (printable from my.cpf.gov.sg)
Latest IRAS Notice of Assessment (NOA) for all working household members
Proof of address (utility bill or tenancy agreement if renting)
Divorce/separation documents (if applicable)
Death certificate (if applicable, for deceased parent/guardian)
Letter from employer or statutory declaration (for self-employed household members)
Any other documents requested by ITE's financial aid office
Payout Timeline
ITE bursaries and MFAS follow a semester-based disbursement cycle. The exact dates vary by campus and intake, but the typical timeline is:
Milestone
Typical timing
Notes
Application window opens
Start of each academic year (January for Year 1; continuing students check HOMES)
Apply as early as possible to avoid fronting fees
Application deadline
4–6 weeks into the semester
Late applications are processed on a rolling basis
Processing period
4–6 weeks from complete submission
Incomplete documents delay processing
Semester 1 disbursement (HECB/HEB)
October
Credited to your ITE student account; offsets outstanding fees first
Semester 2 disbursement (HECB/HEB)
March
Second-semester portion credited
MFAS monthly payout
Monthly (around mid-month)
S$200/month via PayNow or bank transfer
Annual renewal deadline
Start of next academic year
Fresh income documents required
Important: HECB/HEB bursary is credited to your ITE student account, not directly to your bank. It offsets any outstanding tuition or miscellaneous fees first. Only the remaining balance (if any) is disbursed to your bank account. MFAS is a separate monthly payout that goes directly to you.
Stacking with Other Aid
ITE bursaries can be combined with several other schemes. You do not need to choose one or the other.
Combination
Allowed?
Notes
HECB + MFAS
Yes
Different schemes; both disbursed separately
HECB + CDAC Post-Secondary Bursary
Yes
Apply separately through CDAC portal
HECB + MENDAKI TTFS
Yes
Apply separately through MENDAKI portal
HECB + SINDA/SIET
Yes
Apply separately through SINDA portal
HECB + donor/institutional bursaries
Yes
Check with ITE's financial aid office
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get both HECB and MFAS?
Yes. HECB is an annual bursary credited to your student account. MFAS is a monthly allowance for transport and meals. They are separate schemes and you can hold both simultaneously if you meet the income threshold GHI ≤ S$4,000 or PCI ≤ S$1,000 .
What is the HOMES system?
HOMES is ITE's integrated student portal for academic records, financial aid applications, and student services. You access it with your ITE student login after enrolment.
Can PRs apply for government bursaries?
Government bursaries (HECB/HEB) are for Singapore Citizens. Permanent Residents should check with ITE's financial aid office for institutional aid and donor-funded bursaries that may be open to PRs.
Do I reapply every year?
Yes. HECB, HEB, and MFAS require a fresh application with updated income documents each academic year, even if your household income has not changed.
Can I combine HECB with CDAC or MENDAKI?
Yes. Community bursaries (CDAC, MENDAKI TTFS, SINDA/SIET) stack with government HECB/HEB. Apply to the community bursary separately through its own portal.
When will I receive my ITE bursary?
HECB/HEB is typically disbursed in October (Semester 1) and March (Semester 2). The bursary is credited to your ITE student account first - it offsets outstanding fees before any remaining balance reaches your bank account. If you applied late or your documents were incomplete, expect a 4–6 week delay from the date your application is fully processed.
Is MFAS paid in a lump sum or monthly?
MFAS is paid monthly (around mid-month), not as a lump sum. You receive S$200/month for the duration of the academic year as long as you remain enrolled and continue to meet the income criteria. The payout goes directly to your bank account via PayNow or bank transfer - it is separate from the HECB/HEB bursary.
