Scholarships and Financial Aid
In recognition of outstanding academic achievements, leadership qualities and special talents, as well as to help students defray the cost of staying and studying at University Town, NUS College has in place scholarships, bursaries and grants, listed below.
NUS College is deeply appreciative of our many donors, including USP, Yale-NUS and NUSC alumni, who have given generously to support our students. Scholarships, bursaries and grants have been provided by generous donors, who, like us, strongly believe in the transformative power of an NUS College education for all deserving students, regardless of their financial situation.
Our students hail from over 30 countries, including several Asian nations. And within the mix of local students, we attract students from more than 220 different schools, including junior colleges, polytechnics and madrasahs (read about our first cohort here).
We believe education should be accessible, and we strongly encourage all students interested in an NUS College education to apply to the College. All students who feel they require financial aid should complete the financial aid application through the NUS Office of Financial Aid.
In addition to the scholarships and grants listed below, all NUSC applicants and students are also eligible for other centrally-managed scholarships, such as the NUS AI Talent Scholarship, NUS Sports Scholarship, ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship and the NUS International Undergraduate Scholarship, just to name a few.
For more information, visit this page.
1. Scholarships
The David Marshall Scholarship was established to honour Mr David Marshall, Singapore’s first Chief Minister and founder of the Worker’s Party.
This Scholarship is open to NUS College (NUSC) students majoring in Law.
Benefits
Each scholarship can support tuition and/or residential fees.
Application Information
The application is by invitation only.
The Jixun & Serene Scholarship is awarded to four incoming or current NUS College students, and is tenable annually.
Scholarship recipients must exemplify academic excellence, leadership qualities and potential as well as wide-ranging learning through co-curricular activities and to community service.
Benefits
The scholarship is valued at $10,000 annually and is bond-free.
The Jixun & Serene Scholarship is open to all NUS College students regardless of year of study.
Application Information
To be considered, please apply for the Residential College Scholarship.
Scholarship recipients will be required to help with stewardship matters such as writing an annual note to the donor(s) and may be required to meet with the donor(s).
The Kewalram Chanrai Scholarship is supported by the Kewalram Chanrai Group, a global brand with diverse businesses, which seeks to create meaningful social impact through its initiatives in education and healthcare, especially in the communities that it operates in.
This Scholarship is open to female students where the Kewalram Chanrai Group has a business presence in. This includes the United Kingdom (London), Cote D’ Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, UAE (Dubai), India, Singapore and Indonesia.
Benefits
Each scholarship can support tuition and/or residential fees.
Application Information
The application is by invitation only.
The Liu Shiming Art Foundation has established the Liu Shiming Art Scholarship to nurture the next generation’s appreciation of diverse cultures and experiences in honour and memory of the late Liu Shiming, a famous sculptor.
The Liu Shiming Art Scholarship is awarded to one student in Year 3 or 4 enrolled in the following majors or minors in Asian studies (namely students majoring in Chinese Studies, Japanese Studies, Southeast Asian Studies, South Asian Studies, China Studies), or a student minoring in Art History.
This scholarship is made possible by the Liu Shiming Art Foundation.
Benefits
The scholarship is valued at $4,200 annually and is bond-free.
Application Information
The application is by invitation only.
The NUS College International Scholarship is exclusively open to NUS College International and SPR students.
Benefits
- Coverage of subsidised tuition fees (after the MOE Tuition Grant subsidy)
- $5,800 annual living allowance
- $1,750 one-time computer allowance
- $3,000 annual accommodation allowance
Application Information
The application is by invitation only.
The NUS College Scholarship is supported by the Family of Ng Teng Fong to support merit-based scholarships.
Benefits
Each scholarship can support tuition and/or residential fees.
Application Information
The application is by invitation only.
The NUS Global Merit Scholarship is only open to NUS students who are Singapore Citizens. The scholarship is awarded to high calibre individuals who demonstrate academic excellence, present excellent co-curricular activities records and exhibit outstanding leadership qualities. NUS Scholars are expected to contribute significantly to the NUS community while in NUS, and emerge as dynamic global leaders who are capable of effecting a positive change to society after they graduate.
Benefits
- Coverage of subsidised tuition fees (after the MOE Tuition Grant subsidy)
- $6,000 annual living allowance
- $2,000 one-time computer allowance upon enrolment
- $4,760 annual accommodation allowance if scholar is staying in NUS College Cinnamon Wing, or $6,020 if scholar is staying in NUS College West Wing
- $7,500 Student Exchange Programme (SEP)/NUS Overseas College (NOC) allowance per semester for non-Asian countries and Japan, and $5,000 per semester for other Asian countries, for up to a maximum of two claims. The allowance will be pro-rated for overseas SEP or NOC programmes with a duration of less than 1 semester.
- Guaranteed an offer of a one-semester SEP with one of NUS’ overseas partner universities
- Click here for more information
Application Information
Submit your application at the NUS Scholarships page.
Your application for the NUS Global Merit Scholarship will be concurrently considered by both NUS College and your Home Faculty.
The NUS Merit Scholarship is only open to NUS students who are Singapore Citizens. The scholarship is awarded to high calibre individuals who demonstrate academic excellence, present excellent co-curricular activities records and exhibit outstanding leadership qualities. NUS Merit Scholars are expected to contribute significantly to the NUS community while in NUS, and emerge as dynamic global leaders who are capable of effecting a positive change to society after they graduate.
Benefits
- Coverage of subsidised tuition fees (after the MOE Tuition Grant subsidy)
- $6,000 annual living allowance
- $2,000 one-time computer allowance upon enrolment
- Guaranteed an offer of a one-semester Student Exchange Programme (SEP) with one of NUS’ overseas partner universities
- Click here for more information
Application Information
Submit your application at the NUS Scholarships page.
Your application for the NUS Merit Scholarship will be concurrently considered by both NUS College and your Home Faculty.
The Prima Scholarship is supported by Prima, Singapore’s first flourmill, in celebration of its 50th anniversary. Prima’s belief is that students who benefit from a quality education will be inspired to give back to society when they have acquired the means to do so.
Benefits
Each scholarship can support tuition and/or residential fees.
Application Information
The application is by invitation only.
The Sharon Ann Eravelly Scholarship honours the memory of Ms Sharon Ann Eravelly (Shaz).
Shaz was passionate about human rights and social justice, and worked tirelessly with the homeless, the marginalised and the victimised. She also inspired volunteers to support and continue the work that she had started.
This Scholarship was established to help students pursue their dreams and eventually give back to society, like Shaz did.
Benefits
Each scholarship can support tuition and/or residential fees.
Application Information
The application is by invitation only.
The Stephen Riady International Excellence Scholarship underscores Dr Riady’s support of educational causes to develop human potential to the fullest, regardless of socio-economic status.
This aligns with the property magnate’s philosophy that people’s lives can only be improved when they are empowered through education, knowledge and life skills.
Benefits
Each scholarship can support tuition and/or residential fees.
Application Information
The application is by invitation only.
The Tizian Schenker Scholarship Scholarship was established by family and friends of Mr Tizian Carl Eduard Schenker.
Born in 1995, Tizian was diligent, well-read and particularly adept at analysing problems. His interests ranged from science and history, to finance and philosophy, and he hoped to attend Yale-NUS College. Tizian passed away in Zurich in 2016, three days shy of his 21st birthday. This Scholarship was set up in his memory.
Benefits
Each scholarship can support tuition and/or residential fees.
Application Information
The application is by invitation only.
Established by the Family of Wu Hsioh Kwang, the Wu Hsioh Kwang Family Scholarship supports students in leveraging on education as the foremost enabler in the global race, where the best learning experience opens hearts and minds.
Benefits
Each scholarship can support tuition and/or residential fees.
Application Information
The application is by invitation only.
There are other scholarships available to the NUS Community. NUS College students are also eligible for residential college scholarships and other scholarships listed here.
2. FINANCIAL AID
This Study Award is supported by Mr Peter Tan & Mrs Alice Tan. Recognising the quality of an NUS education, Mr & Mrs Tan made a gift to support academic programmes that further enhance the quality and impact of NUS students’ learning experience.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
This Study Award was established by Decision Science Agency, a home-grown company established in 2013, that focuses on research, data analytics, digital strategy and customer experience to help clients improve their digital marketing operations.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
This Study Award celebrates the enduring legacy of pioneering artist, Georgette Chen. Ms Chen is widely recognised as one of the pioneers of the Nanyang style post-impressionistic oil paintings, combining Western techniques with Asian themes. Today, she continues to evoke awe and respect within the Singapore arts community.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
This Study Award was established by several corporate and individual donors in honour of Mr J Y Pillay’s achievements in transforming and shaping many of Singapore’s eminent institutions, as a national policy maker, civil servant and corporate leader.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
This Study Award was established by the husband-and-wife team of Mr Jackie Ng and Mrs Catherine Ng, signifying their meaningful contribution to effect positive change in the lives of young people. Mr Ng was a law graduate from the University of Singapore.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
This Study Award was established by Keishel Ventures, a private investment company in Singapore that has given to help future generations of students gain access to a world-class education. This art of giving is particularly heartwarming as it was initiated by the parents of a Yale-NUS alumna.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
This Study Award was set up by the children and family members of the late Mr Khoo Teck Quee and Mdm Tan Phek Wan. Mr Khoo, a rice merchant who lived frugally, recognised the value of education and gave his seven children the best education he could afford. His late wife, Mdm Tan, was a homemaker and an active philanthropist. She regularly donated to charities, especially in the healthcare sector.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
This Scholarship was established by rubber king Dr Lee Kong Chian through the Lee Foundation. The Lee Foundation, Singapore’s largest family-run foundation, is synonymous with charitable and philanthropic contributions towards the underprivileged, education and the arts.
Constantly evolving to meet emerging needs, the foundation is today still a forerunner in helping the disadvantaged access the lofty heights of education.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
The Study Award was established by one of Madam Lim Ngee Khoon’s sons, in memory of a remarkable person and selfless mother. Although her family fell on hard times after they migrated to Singapore from China, Madam Lim held on to her strong belief in the importance of good education and sound values. She worked, scrimped and saved to help put three sons and six daughters through formal education.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
This Bursary was established by Malaysians to support undergraduates studying at NUS who are facing financial difficulty.
Malaysia and Singapore have long been important partners in trade and commerce, education, culture and other areas. An international education with an Asian perspective at NUS will help Malaysian students be future-ready for the challenges of tomorrow and continue to grow the relationship between the two nations and their people.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
NUS College students who qualify for Financial Aid may also be eligible for the Neoasia Bursary.
The Neoasia Bursary was established by Neoasia, a leading distributor of aesthetics technologies in Asia. The Neoasia Bursary is awarded to Singaporean undergraduates at NUS College.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
This sub-named Bursary was established to honour Professor Albert Teo, the longest-serving Deputy Director of the University Scholars Programme (USP). In addition to being an associate professor in the NUS School of Business, Professor Teo was the founding director of both the Chua Thian Poh Community Leadership Centre and the Centre for Social Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy.
In 2019, Professor Teo joined Tung Wah College as the Dean and Professor at the School of Management. He currently serves as a member of the regional council of the Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia. Professor Teo is also engaged in various applied research projects to assess the social impact of non-profit organisations and social enterprises in Hong Kong and the Asian region.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
This sub-named Bursary was initiated by NUSC adjunct faculty member Dr Aaron Maniam and established by the Maniam family in honour of Mdm Chan Bibe Bte Syed Mohd Shah, Dr Maniam’s great-grandmother. A woman of remarkable resilience and wisdom, Mdm Chan raised her family with the values of hard work, determination, and a concern for others, despite never having the opportunity to attend school herself.
With a passion for youth development, Dr Maniam believes that young people hold the key to solving the world’s challenges. Through this Bursary, the Maniam family hopes to relieve some of the financial burdens on students and allow them to focus on their intellectual, personal and emotional growth during their time at NUSC.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
This sub-named Bursary was established by Ms Lim Qing Ru (Philosophy + USP ’08) who was an active member of the USP student community, previously serving as Vice-President. After graduating from NUS, Ms Lim co-founded Zopim, a live chat software which was then acquired by Zendesk in 2014. Presently a technopreneur, angel investor and venture capitalist, Ms Lim is a founding partner at True Global Ventures 4 Plus. She also currently sits on the board of the Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE.sg) and is serving as a member of the Faculty Advisory Board for the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
This sub-named Bursary was established by USP alumnus Mr Syed Abdullah (Computer Science + USP ‘19). Since his time in NUS, Mr Syed has been invested in the education of others, volunteering as an assistant instructor to teach kids from disadvantaged backgrounds to use Scratch/Python and serving as the USP Peer Mentoring Programme Co-ordinator for a year. He is now working as a Senior Software Engineer in the Bay Area.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
This sub-named Bursary was established by USP alumnus Mr Veerappan Swaminathan (Engineering + USP ’11) in honour of his parents, Ms Usha and Mr Swaminathan. Now the founder and CEO of the Sustainable Living Lab Group (SL2) and the 2019 recipient of the prestigious NUS Alumni Outstanding Youth Award, Mr Veerappan has always been passionate about sustainability and education. Inspired by the needs he observed during his time at USP, he established the NUS College Alumni – Usha & Swaminathan Bursary to enable students to access the opportunities offered by NUSC, regardless of financial barriers.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
This sub-named Bursary was established by USP alumna Low Hui Ping (Economics + USP ‘08) to honour her grandmother, Mdm Wong Yoke Lin. After being widowed at a young age, Mdm Wong raised seven children alone through sheer grit and love. She believed in perseverance, humility, and the quiet strength of doing one’s best every day. This Bursary honours her spirit, and the generations she inspired to keep learning, striving, and giving back. Her granddaughter, Ms Low, maintains a strong connection to NUS and actively supports initiatives that help nurture learning, leadership, and service.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
This Bursary was initiated by the Alumni Student Advancement Committee (ASAC) to ensure that NUSC, at the forefront of pedagogical innovation, remains accessible to all deserving students regardless of their financial background.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
This Bursary is supported by various donors and is open to NUSC students from all countries.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
NUS College students who qualify for Financial Aid may also be eligible for the NUS College Student Assistance Fund.
The NUS College Student Assistance Fund, donated by alumni, is an unrestricted fund to support students in a variety of ways, including Impact Experience (IEx) and Global Experience (GEx) programmes, pastoral care, and meal plan subsidies for residential living to ensure a robust campus life.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
This Bursary was established by NUSS, Singapore’s premier graduate club and a platform through which alumni from local and recognised foreign universities can network.
NUSS aims to foster a lifelong relationship between NUS and the wider graduate community. This is achieved through promoting the interests of its members and NUS as well as contributing positively to Singapore’s political and intellectual development while helping to cultivate a more gracious social and cultural environment.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
This Study Award was established by construction veteran Mr Peter Tan Thuan Teck, an advocate for the power of education and regular donor to many educational institutions.
Mr Tan founded Ho Lee Group in 1996 and successfully scaled the company to become a recognised player in the construction industry. Over the years, he also took on roles such as Associate Member of the Textile Centre Merchant Association, Lifelong Honorary President of the Singapore Chung Hwa Medical Institution and Honorary President of the Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
This Study Award was established by the late Miss Siong Siew Woon a former educator, who believed in the power of education. The Award is named in honour of her father, Mr Siong Keng Hoon.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
The Study Award honours the legacy of Mr Tan Ean Kiam, a man who saw it as his duty to give back to society. Aged only 18, Mr Tan came to Singapore with his father in 1899. He became a leading rubber magnate and banker, and channelled his wealth for the betterment of the local Chinese community and the promotion of education to the masses.
Under the leadership of Mr Tan’s grandson, Mr Tan Keng Soon, the Tan Ean Kiam Foundation continues to be a platform to groom youths into tomorrow’s leaders.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
This Study Award was established by Mr Tan Wang Cheow and Ms Tan Guek Ming, both of whom are NUS alumni and fervent supporters of education. Mr Tan is the Chairman and Founder of Food Empire and was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2014 for his contribution to society and business. non-executive director of Food Empire.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
This Study Award was established by the family of Mr Wu Hsioh Kwang. In establishing this Study Award, the family hope to do their part to equip today’s students with sound fundamentals to thrive in a competitive world.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
This Study Award was established by friends of Yale-NUS College to ensure access to educational opportunities without being distracted by financial considerations.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
This sub-named Study Award was established in honour of Mr Khong Mun Keong by his sister and NUS alumna, Ms Kong Yuet Peng. Mr Khong believed in the importance of education and in striving for excellence in everything you do. With this spirit, he encouraged Ms Kong to finish her university studies and provided her with the financial resources to do so.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
This sub-named Study Award was established by NUS alumni Mr Seah Cheng San and Ms Chong Siak Ching, both of whom have been awarded the NUS Distinguished Alumni Service Award for their contributions to NUS and the wider community. Ms Chong was formerly a NUS Board of Trustee (BOT) and Yale-NUS Governing Board Member. The study award is named “Seah & Siak”—the name they were known as during their stay in the Dunearn Road Hostels (DRH).
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
This sub-named Study Award was established by Yale-NUS College alumnus Mr Marcus Chua (Philosophy, Politics and Economics + Yale-NUS ’21), inspired by his own experiences of receiving help and taking unconventional pathways during difficult times. With ‘sojourner’ referring to someone on a journey and ‘agora’ meaning a gathering place, the Yale-NUS Alumni – Sojourners Agora Study Award is about seasonally coming together to learn from and grow with one another. It is Mr Chua’s hope that this Study Award will help NUSC students pursue personal projects they may have set aside due to financial constraints or society’s expectations of them to do otherwise.
Application Information
No separate application is required if you have applied for NUS Financial Aid.
NUS provides scholarships and financial aid to all who qualify, open to all NUS College students regardless of year of study. For more information about these options, please contact the NUS Office of Admissions via the FAQ portal: https://faq.nus.edu.sg/s/login
3. Grants
First championed by the USP Class of 2015, the International Programmes Fund helps students access overseas opportunities and endeavours during their time at NUS College. Students who are accepted for eligible programmes will automatically be awarded funds to help defray their participation costs.
The Creative Practice Programme (CPP) is NUS College’s dedicated infrastructure for the arts, designed to bridge the gap between academic study and creative practice. Central to this mission is the NUS College Arts Award designed to nurture exceptional students capable of actively contributing to the arts and cultural development of the College. Supported by the Chen Chong Swee Asian Arts Programme, the award funds students’ participation in external arts programmes including arts mentorships, apprenticeships, residencies, summer schools, and master classes. The College grants up to two awards annually, providing coverage for programme fees, airfare, and accommodation. Each award is capped at $10,000 or 60% of supportable costs, whichever is lower, ensuring significant support for promising student-creatives in their artistic and creative development. Recipients of this award will help with the organisation of Impact Festival or other arts-related events discussed and agreed upon with NUS College.
Eligibility Criteria
- The opportunity must not hold any course credit
- Applicant’s GPA must be 4.0 and above
- Applicant can only receive this award once during his or her period of candidature in NUS
- Applicant is not an NUS College graduand waiting for conferment of their undergraduate degree
- Applicant must be accepted into the arts programme at the point of application
How to Apply
Application is open year-round. To apply, please submit the following documents to NUSC.creative@nus.edu.sg:
- Completed Application Form
- Academic transcript
- Information about the programme
- Proof of acceptance into the programme
- Letter of recommendation from an NUS College lecturer who is familiar with your involvement in the arts
- Proof of payment for programme fee, airfare and overseas accommodation, where applicable (e.g. receipt, telegraphic transfer record, e-tickets, credit / debit card statements)
- Proof of external funding / other sources of funding for this same opportunity (if any)
Post Programme Requirements
To process the reimbursement, recipients must email the following to NUSC.creative@nus.edu.sg within 1 month of programme completion:
- A two-page report which includes the programme summary and how you have benefited from the programme;
- All original receipts and invoices for verified expenses (where requested);
- 3-5 high quality programme photos.
The NUS College Research Experience Grant provides funding for outstanding NUS College undergraduates to pursue research and learning opportunities locally or overseas. For more information, refer to NUS College – Research Experience.
The Tan Chew Char Grant provides grants to NUSC students majoring in the Social Sciences (such as Psychology, Social Work, or Sociology) who are active in voluntary service in a voluntary welfare organisation, preferably with a local nursing home, hospice or orphanage during their time at the College.
NUS College also provides funding for various recognised global programmes, including student-initiated overseas study and internships.