University Bursary Comparison Singapore 2026: NUS vs NTU vs SMU vs SUTD vs SIT vs SUSS
University Bursary Comparison Singapore 2026: NUS vs NTU vs SMU vs SUTD vs SIT vs SUSS
TL;DR
Government HECB/HEB is identical across NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, SIT, and SUSS. Each university adds its own campus bursary on top. At the lowest tier (PCI ≤ S$1,100), NUS and NTU both cover 100% of tuition. NUS adds a S$4,000/year living…
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Q: Which Singapore university gives the most financial aid in 2026? A: All 6 autonomous universities receive the same government HECB/HEB base. The difference is the campus top-up - NUS offers the most generous package at the lowest income tier, including a S10,000OverseasExposureGrantforstudentswithPCI≤S750. Choose your university based on your degree programme, not the bursary.
TL;DR
Government HECB/HEB is identical across NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, SIT, and SUSS. Each university adds its own campus bursary on top. At the lowest tier PCI ≤ S$1,100 , NUS and NTU both cover 100% of tuition. NUS adds a S4,000/yearlivingallowanceandaS10,000 Overseas Exposure Grant for students with PCI ≤ S$750. Apply once through your university's financial aid portal - both the government bursary and campus top-up are assessed together.
Status: Checked 2026-03-21. Campus top-up details from each university's financial aid page. SUTD, SIT, and SUSS details should be confirmed on their respective portals.
Government Base: HECB + HEB (Same Across All 6 Universities)
Every Singapore Citizen enrolled full-time at an autonomous university is eligible for the same government bursary tiers:
Tier
GHI
PCI
Annual quantum
HECB Tier 1
≤ S$4,000
≤ S$1,000
S$4,000
HECB Tier 2
S4,001–S5,500
S1,001–S1,375
S$3,350
HEB Tier 1
S5,501–S9,000
S1,376–S2,250
S$1,600
HEB Tier 2
S9,001–S12,000
S2,251–S3,000
S$1,150
These quanta are the same regardless of which university you attend. The difference between universities lies entirely in the campus top-up described below.
This is the key differentiator. Each university supplements the government bursary with its own funds.
University
Lowest-tier PCI
What you get PCI ≤ S$1,100
Living allowance
Key differentiator
NUS
≤ S$1,100
100% tuition covered
S4,000/yr+S10,000 OEG PCI ≤ S$750
Overseas Exposure Grant for lowest tier
NTU
≤ S$1,100
100% tuition covered
S$3,000/yr
NTU Bursary Fund tops up HECB
SMU
≤ S$1,100
Full tuition covered
Living allowance (check SMU)
SMU Access+ programme
SUTD
Check SUTD
Check SUTD
Check SUTD
Smaller cohort, check SUTD FA page
SIT
Check SIT
Check SIT
Check SIT
Applied-degree model, check SIT FA page
SUSS
Check SUSS
Check SUSS
Check SUSS
Part-time options, check SUSS FA page
Note: For NUS and NTU, the campus bursary is applied automatically when you submit a single financial aid form - no separate application needed. SMU operates similarly through its SMU Access+ programme.
SUTD, SIT, and SUSS each have their own financial aid frameworks. While they all distribute the same government HECB/HEB, their campus-specific top-ups vary. Check each university's financial aid page directly for the latest details.
How Application Works
The process is similar across all 6 universities:
Accept your offer of admission. You must be an enrolled full-time undergraduate Singapore Citizen.
Submit one financial aid application. Each university has its own online portal (e.g., NUS UHMS, NTU Financial Aid portal). This single form covers both the government HECB/HEB and the campus top-up.
Upload supporting documents. NRIC, payslips, CPF statements, and IRAS NOA for all working household members. The document requirements are largely the same across universities.
Receive your assessment. The university determines your HECB/HEB tier and applies any campus top-up. Processing takes 4–8 weeks. Reapply each academic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I apply to HECB and the university bursary separately?
No. You submit one financial aid application through your university's portal. The university assesses your government HECB/HEB tier and applies its own campus top-up in a single process.
Which university gives the most financial aid?
At the lowest income tier PCI ≤ S$750 , NUS provides the most generous package: 100% tuition, S4,000/yearlivingallowance,andaone−offS10,000 Overseas Exposure Grant. NTU is close behind with 100% tuition and S$3,000/year living allowance. However, your choice of university should be driven by your degree programme and career goals, not the bursary difference.
Can I combine university bursaries with MENDAKI TTFS?
Yes. MENDAKI TTFS, CDAC post-secondary bursaries, and SINDA/SIET all stack with government HECB/HEB and campus top-ups. Apply to the community bursary separately through its own portal.
Is there a GPA requirement?
Government HECB/HEB does not have a GPA requirement. However, each university has a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy that you must meet to continue receiving campus bursary top-ups. Check your university's policy for the specific GPA or credit threshold.
Do I reapply every year?
Yes. Both the government bursary and campus top-up require a fresh application with updated income documents each academic year.
