ST School Pocket Money Fund: 2025 Bursary Guide
Download printable cheat-sheet (CC-BY 4.0)03 Oct 2025, 15:38 Z
TL;DR\ The ST School Pocket Money Fund (STSPMF) offers monthly stipends-$65 for primary pupils and $100 for secondary students-to keep low-income children in school with meals and transport covered. Applications flow through schools and partner social service agencies, which assess household income and monitor attendance. Expect to renew support each academic year with updated income documents.
Bursary Snapshot
- Status: Applications run on rolling school windows (verified 2025-10-03)
- Administered by: ST School Pocket Money Fund, managed by SPH Media Trust
- Who It Supports: Primary and secondary students from low-income families referred by schools or community partners
- Income Assessment: Schools and social service agencies use STSPMF's means-test guidelines, typically evaluating gross household income, per-capita income, and existing aid
- Monthly Quantum: $65 for primary-level students; $100 for secondary-level students
- Disbursement: Funds are credited to the student or caregiver monthly for up to 12 months, aligned with school terms
Monthly Support Structure
- Supports daily meal and transport needs so students can attend school consistently
- Payments are channelled through the school or assigned social service agency, which may issue giro transfers or vouchers
- Students may be asked to attend enrichment or check-in sessions that accompany the stipend
Eligibility & Application Tips
- Referral first: Approach your child's school counsellor, form teacher, or a partner social service agency (SSA). They manage the end-to-end application and submit it to STSPMF.
- Documents to prepare: NRIC/Birth Certificate, proof of residence, payslips or income declarations for each working family member, and bank account details for disbursement.
- Renewal cadence: Awards typically last one academic year; expect to resubmit income documents if assistance is still needed in the following year.
- Attendance matters: Recipients must maintain regular school attendance and inform the school/SSA of any major changes in circumstances.
