Bursary eligibility calculator (Singapore 2026): check your PCI & income tier
Per Capita Income (PCI) is the main income measure Singapore uses to determine bursary eligibility. It is calculated by dividing your household's total gross monthly income by the number of household members. Use this tool to find your PCI instantly and see which HECB and HEB bursary tiers you qualify for at ITE, polytechnic, and university level.
Use it before applying
Estimate your PCI before NUS, NTU, HECB, HEB, CDAC, or MENDAKI application forms ask for household income.
Check the formula
PCI equals total gross monthly household income divided by the number of household members.
Plan your next step
Use the result to shortlist university, polytechnic, ITE, and community bursary guides.
Enter average monthly household income over 12 months. This estimates one tier using GHI or PCI, taking the higher amount. It checks income only, not citizenship, course, scholarship or institutional eligibility. Amounts cover ITE Nitec/Higher Nitec, full-time polytechnic diplomas and general full-time undergraduate programmes. Technical Diploma, PFP, Medicine/Dentistry and part-time awards may differ.
Related guides
How PCI is calculated
The formula is straightforward:
Example: a family of 4 with a combined gross monthly income of S$5,000 has a PCI of S$5,000 ÷ 4 = S$1,250. This PCI falls within the HECB Tier 2 band (PCI ≤ S$1,375), qualifying the student for HECB Tier 2 bursary amounts.
“Gross monthly household income” includes all sources of income for every working member in the household, including salaries, allowances, rental income, and any other regular earnings before CPF deductions and taxes.
Community bursaries (CDAC, MENDAKI, SINDA, EA)
In addition to government-funded HECB and HEB bursaries, students may qualify for community-based bursaries administered by CDAC, MENDAKI, SINDA, and Eurasian Association (EA). These schemes have their own income thresholds and application processes, which may differ from the HECB/HEB tiers shown above. Check with your institution's financial aid office or visit the respective community organisation's website for details.
Sources
- MOE Financial Assistance: Financial Assistance
- MOE Bursaries and study loans: Bursaries and Study Loans