SAF Merit Scholarship (ARC): 2025 Profile & Command Prep
Download printable cheat-sheet (CC-BY 4.0)16 Feb 2025, 12:30 Z
TL;DR\ ARC's SAF Merit Scholarship is the flagship award for scholar-officers heading into command roles—expect intensive leadership evaluation, global study options, and service postings across combat and staff appointments.
Scholarship Snapshot
- Status: Open Until 30 Apr 2026 (last checked 2025-02-16)
- Official Portal: SAF Merit Scholarship
- Who It Targets: JC/IP and polytechnic graduates who want a military command career backed by top-tier local or overseas education
- Eligibility: Singapore Citizens with exemplary academics, leadership, and physical fitness; NS-liable applicants must meet SAF requirements
- Tenable Institutions: NTU, NUS, SIT, SMU, SUTD, and approved overseas universities worldwide
- Bond: 5–6 years of officer service, proportionate to course length and overseas funding
Development Pathway
- Pre-university engagement – leadership seminars, service visits, and mentorship from senior officers.
- Undergraduate years – tuition, living allowance, exchange funding, and summer attachments with SAF formations.
- Military training – Officer Cadet School (tri-service), Service Term, and Command School opportunities.
- Early career rotations – command appointments, staff roles in Mindef/SAF HQ, and cross-service deployments.
Application Roadmap
- Apply online by April with academic achievements, CCA records, and service preferences.
- Complete psychometric testing and situational judgement exercises.
- Attend leadership assessment camps featuring group missions, command tasks, and planning exercises.
- Sit for panel interviews with senior officers and Public Service Commission representatives.
- Medical and security clearance to verify operational readiness and reliability.
- Receive offer & placement—coordinate with MINDEF scholarship officers for university admission and service assignment.
Preparation Playbook
- Curate leadership evidence from CCAs, SAF clubs, uniformed groups, or internship experiences.
- Stay updated on defence policy—Total Defence, SAF transformation, and regional security developments.
- Develop presentation finesse to articulate mission plans and strategic ideas succinctly.
- Train for OCS with consistent IPPT, route marches, and mental resilience drills.
- Engage mentors—connect with current scholar-officers via MINDEF's alumni network or webinars.
