Social Service Scholarship: 2025 Profile

Q: What does Social Service Scholarship: 2025 Profile cover?
A: Details on NCSS' flagship scholarship for aspiring social workers and therapists, covering funding, selection criteria, and the six-year service commitment.

TL;DR
NCSS funds tuition, allowances, and overseas exposure for future social service professionals—and pairs it with a six-year bond that rotates scholars across frontline and leadership roles in partner agencies.

Scholarship Snapshot

• Status: Application Cycle Closed (last checked 2025-10-03)
• Official Listing: Social Service Scholarship — National Council of Social Service
• Who It Targets: Singapore Citizens and PRs pursuing social work, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, or speech therapy at NTU, NUS, SIT, SMU, SUSS, or approved overseas universities.
• Tenable Institutions: NTU, NUS, SIT, SMU, SUSS, and endorsed overseas universities (mid- and full-term routes)
• Bond: Six-year bond with NCSS or designated social service agencies; overseas scholars align to equivalent service terms.

Funding & Scholar Support

• Full tuition and compulsory university fees for local or approved overseas programmes.
• Monthly maintenance allowance plus a pre-studies allowance to cover essentials before matriculation.
• Hostel fees for local scholars and return airfare, book allowance, and settling-in support for overseas postings.
• Laptop grant and sponsorship for approved overseas exchange or exposure modules during the degree.

Eligibility Essentials

• Singapore Citizen or PR with strong A-Level, IB, NUS High, or Polytechnic results and excellent O-Level fundamentals.
• Accepted into, or currently enrolled in, an NCSS-recognised full-time undergraduate programme in social work or allied health specialisations.
• Demonstrated passion for serving vulnerable groups through volunteering, internships, or caregiving experience.
• Leadership qualities, good character references, and evidence of teamwork in CCAs or community projects.
• Not holding another scholarship or sponsorship; the main windows run 1 January – 31 March and 1 – 30 September annually.

Application Timeline

1. Oct–Dec: Deepen frontline exposure through volunteer work, shadowing social workers, or allied health attachments; gather supervisor testimonials.