SINDA–SIET Tertiary Bursary 2026: $200–$250/Month for Poly & University Students
SINDA–SIET Tertiary Bursary 2026: $200–$250/Month for Poly & University Students
TL;DR
The SINDA–SIET Tertiary Bursary Award pays $200/month (polytechnic) or $250/month (university) for up to 9 months, to Indian SC/PR students (PCI ≤ $1,600/month).
Sponsor: Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA) & SIETBond: Bond-FreeOverseas: Primarily Singapore
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Q: What does the SINDA–SIET Tertiary Bursary 2026 guide cover? A: The 200/month(polytechnic)or250/month (university) bursary for Indian SC/PR students from SIET - PCI threshold ($1,600/month), 30 Sep 2026 deadline, SIET portal steps, SINDA programme requirement, and stacking with HECB. For primary students, see the SINDA Primary Bursary guide. For secondary students, see the SINDA Secondary Bursary guide.
TL;DR
The SINDA–SIET Tertiary Bursary Award pays 200/month(polytechnic)or
250/month (university) for up to 9 months, to Indian SC/PR students
PCI ≤ $1,600/month
. Apply via SIET's portal by
30 September 2026
. You must first apply for institutional financial aid (e.g., HECB bursary or tuition grant) before applying for SIET, and commit to attending at least one SINDA programme per year.
Status: Last verified 2026-03-21 against the SIET bursary page (last checked 2026-01-27). Application deadline: 30 September 2026.
Status: Applications open; closing date 30 September 2026 (last checked 2026-01-27)
Administered by: Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA) & SIET
Who It Supports: Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents of Indian or other South Asian origin in diploma or degree programmes
Income Cut-Off: Per-capita income (PCI) ≤ $1,600/month
Award:200/month(polytechnic)or250/month (university), for up to 9 months
Key Condition: Must attend at least 1 SINDA programme per year; interview may be required
Prerequisite: Apply for institutional financial aid (e.g., HECB/HEB bursary or tuition grant) with your institution before applying for SIET
Application Route: SIET's application portal (linked from siet.sg/bursary)
Support Provided
Level
Award
Duration
Polytechnic
$200 / month
Up to 9 months
University
$250 / month
Up to 9 months
Maximum annual value:1,800(polytechnic)or2,250 (university), per academic year.
Eligibility Checklist
Before applying, confirm all of the following:
Ethnicity / citizenship: Singapore Citizen or PR of Indian or other South Asian origin.
Programme: Enrolled in a full-time diploma or degree programme at a recognised polytechnic or university.
Income: Household PCI ≤ $1,600/month.
Institutional aid first: Have applied for (or been assessed for) a bursary, tuition grant, or loan with your institution.
SINDA engagement: Prepared to attend at least one SINDA programme during the award year.
Deadline: Application submitted by 30 September 2026.
How to Apply
Apply for institutional aid first. Before submitting to SIET, apply for the HECB, HEB, or other financial assistance through your polytechnic or university's financial aid office. SIET requires this step.
Access SIET's portal. Go to siet.sg/bursary and find the current application form or link.
Prepare documents. See the checklist below.
Attend an interview if requested. SIET may invite shortlisted applicants for an interview.
Attend a SINDA programme. As a condition of the award, you must attend at least one SINDA programme each award year.
Submit before 30 Sep 2026. Late applications will not be considered.
Document Checklist
NRIC of student and parent(s) or guardian
Latest 3 months' payslips for each employed adult in the household
CPF contribution history (employed) or Notice of Assessment (self-employed / commission-based)
Proof of enrolment (acceptance letter, student pass, or matriculation card)
Evidence of institutional financial aid application or assessment letter
Bank account details for disbursement
Stacking with Other Aid
Scheme
Can Stack?
Notes
HECB / HEB (poly or university)
Yes
SIET requires institutional aid to be applied for first; both are separate and can run concurrently
NUS/NTU institutional bursary
Yes
University-level bursaries are separate from SIET; can stack
CDAC / LBKM / MENDAKI
No
Ethnicity-specific community bursaries; only one applies per household
As a condition of the SINDA–SIET award, recipients must attend at least one SINDA programme per year. SINDA runs a range of activities including:
Mentoring and coaching programmes
Career readiness and leadership workshops
Community engagement events
Academic support initiatives
Check sinda.org.sg for the current programme calendar.
What to Expect at the Interview
SIET may invite shortlisted applicants for an interview. Here is what students report:
Student experience (r/SGExams, 2024–2025): Some bursary interviews ask detailed questions about household expenses and family circumstances. This can feel intrusive, but it is a standard part of the means-testing process - the interviewer needs to verify your financial situation beyond what the documents show.
Tips from past applicants:
Be honest and specific. If your household has unusual expenses (medical bills, eldercare), mention them upfront. The interviewer is assessing need, not judging your family.
Bring extra documents. Medical bills, rental agreements, or proof of siblings' school fees can strengthen your case if your PCI is near the threshold.
Don't undersell your situation. Students on forums note that being too brief or dismissive about financial hardship can work against you. Be factual and direct.
Ask about timeline. At the end of the interview, ask when you can expect the outcome. SIET typically processes within a few weeks, but timelines vary.
(Tips synthesised from student experiences shared on r/SGExams and polytechnic/university financial aid forums, 2024–2025.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to apply for institutional aid before SIET, or can I apply simultaneously? A: SIET's listing states you should apply for institutional financial aid before applying to SIET. In practice, check with SIET directly if you are applying concurrently - but complete the institutional application first where possible.
Q: What counts as "South Asian origin" for this bursary? A: SIET's listing includes students of Indian or other South Asian origin - this encompasses Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Bengali, Sinhalese, Sri Lankan, and other South Asian communities. Confirm with SIET if your background is unclear.
Q: Is the 9-month cap per academic year or per award? A: Per the SIET portal, it is up to 9 months from the month of approval. Confirm exact disbursement terms with SIET at the time of application.
Q: I'm at a local polytechnic. Should I also apply for the HECB? A: Yes. HECB (MOE-administered) and SIET (SINDA-administered) are separate and stackable - you can hold both. See the HECB Polytechnic guide for details.
Q: What happens if I miss the 30 Sep 2026 deadline? A: SIET does not accept late applications. Plan to submit by mid-September to allow time for document preparation.
