Download printable cheat-sheet (CC-BY 4.0)

20 Oct 2025, 09:05 Z

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

Oct–Dec: Deepen frontline exposure through volunteer work, shadowing social workers, or allied health attachments; gather supervisor testimonials.
1 Jan – 31 Mar / 1 – 30 Sep: Submit the online application, academic transcripts, CCA records, and personal essays via the NCSS portal.
Apr / Oct: Complete psychometric assessments and video interviews that evaluate empathy, resilience, and values alignment.
May / Nov: Attend the final panel interview with NCSS leaders and agency partners; discuss preferred specialisations and deployment readiness.
Jun / Dec: Receive outcomes, accept the bond terms, and prepare for scholar induction, mentorship pairing, and pre-sponsorship practicum.

How to Stand Out

Document measurable outcomes from your social service involvement—cases supported, programmes designed, or care innovations piloted.
Showcase cross-cultural communication skills and language abilities that strengthen outreach to diverse client groups.
Link academic interests (e.g., psychology, gerontology, therapy techniques) to emerging sector priorities such as ageing, disability, or family services.
Engage current NCSS scholars or alumni to understand deployment realities and reflect that insight in essays and interviews.

Scholar Experience & Commitments

Award recipients embark on structured rotations across NCSS member agencies, combining frontline caseloads with sector-building projects while completing mandatory practicums and continuing education modules.

The six-year bond is paired with mentorship, leadership bootcamps, and opportunities to co-design programmes that uplift vulnerable communities, ensuring scholars grow into future clinical leads, policy advisors, or agency directors.

Useful Resources

NCSS Social Service Scholarship: https://www.ncss.gov.sg/social-service-careers/scholarships/social-service-scholarship
Social Service Institute programmes: https://www.socialserviceinstitute.sg/