Dr Goh Keng Swee Scholarship: 2026 Profile
Download printable cheat-sheet (CC-BY 4.0)03 Oct 2025, 20:00 Z
TL;DR\ The Dr Goh Keng Swee Scholarship funds four years of undergraduate study at NUS, NTU, SMU, or SUTD—including tuition, allowances, and airfares—for exceptional students from 15 Asia-Pacific economies. Scholars incur a three-year service bond with a Singapore-affiliated employer upon graduation.
Scholarship Snapshot
- Status: University nominations underway for AY2025/26 (last verified 2025-10-03)
- Official Listing: Dr Goh Keng Swee Scholarship — Association of Banks in Singapore
- Who It Targets: Citizens/passport holders from 15 Asia-Pacific economies (excluding Singapore) seeking full-time undergraduate degrees at NUS, NTU, SMU, or SUTD
- Eligibility: Strong academic results, leadership and CCA achievements, successful admission to an eligible Singapore university, and interest in contributing to Singapore's economy (no requirement to pursue finance specifically)
- Tenable Institutions: National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Management University, Singapore University of Technology and Design
- Bond: Three-year employment with a Singapore company or Singapore-based firm in the scholar's home country (bond can overlap with MOE Tuition Grant obligations)
Award Components
- Tuition fees at subsidised MOE Tuition Grant rates and other compulsory university charges (up to four years including Honours)
- Round-trip economy airfare from home country to Singapore at the start and end of the programme
- Annual maintenance allowance of S$6,500
- Hostel allowance pegged to the university's on-campus housing rates
- One-time S$200 settling-in allowance upon arrival in Singapore
- Annual renewal subject to satisfactory academic performance and conduct
Eligibility Highlights
- Citizenship: Applicants must originate from Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, or Vietnam.
- Academic readiness: Meet the admission requirements of the chosen university and maintain a strong academic record.
- Leadership & potential: Demonstrated achievements in co-curricular activities, leadership roles, or community service.
- Course flexibility: Scholars may pursue any approved degree programme; there is no obligation to enter banking or finance careers.
- Exclusions: Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents are not eligible; applicants must not already be studying in the listed universities.
Application Roadmap
- Apply directly to NUS, NTU, SMU, and/or SUTD for AY2025/26 using the published international admissions timelines (November 2024 – January 2025 windows).
- Indicate interest in the Dr GKS Scholarship within each university's application portal (process differs by institution).
- Universities automatically consider eligible applicants; shortlisting occurs between March and May.
- Shortlisted candidates attend virtual interviews with the Dr GKS Scholarship Selection Board in May/June 2025.
- Successful scholars receive offers by June and coordinate enrolment logistics with the host university and ABS.
- Sign scholarship and bond agreements, arrange accommodation, and prepare for arrival (allowances disbursed on arrival).
Preparation Playbook
- Monitor each university's admissions requirements (standardised tests, subject prerequisites) and compile documents early.
- Build a leadership portfolio (school leadership, community projects, national competitions) that showcases regional impact and future aspirations in Singapore's economy.
- Prepare interview narratives focusing on resilience, cross-cultural agility, and contributions to both Singapore and your home country.
- Budget for living expenses in Singapore—use the annual maintenance allowance alongside personal savings if needed.
- Plan potential employment pathways with Singapore companies to fulfil the three-year bond; leverage university career services and ABS networks for internships and placements.
