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Tuition Fee Loan (TFL)
The Tuition Fee Loan is financial assistance given to graduate students pursuing their higher degree through research or selected coursework programmes.
Graduate students enrolled in Research Programmes or full-time MOE subsidised Coursework Programmes are eligible to apply for a Tuition Fee Loan.
The Tuition Fee Loan covers up to 90% of subsidised tuition fee payable by Singapore citizens. It does not cover compulsory miscellaneous fees.
For illustration purpose only:| Nationality | Subsidised Full-time Fee (SGD) | Maximum Loan (SGD) |
| Singapore citizens | S$8,350 | 90% of S$8,350 = S$7,515 |
| Permanent residents | S$11,700 | 90% of S$8,350 = S$7,515 |
| International students (with Service Obligation) | S$16,700 | 90% of S$8,350 = S$7,515 |
Students who are receiving scholarships are not eligible for the Tuition Fee Loan. Students who did not take up Service Obligation (SO) Scheme and paying non- subsidised tuition fees are also not eligible for Tuition Fee Loan.
For more information on the eligibility of Tuition Fee Loan, please refer to Tuition Fee Loan (TFL) Application Form.
Interest Rates (from 1 April 2024)
The following interest rates will be applicable to all new Government education loan (i.e. Tuition Fee Loan, Study Loan, Overseas Student Programme Loan) agreements signed on and after 1 April 2024.
| Standard interest* | 3-month compounded Singapore Overnight Rate Average (3M SORA) plus 1.5 percentage points or such other rates as may be determined from time to time by the bank |
| Late payment interest for overdue and unpaid loans/loan instalment | 3M SORA plus 4.5 percentage points or such other rates as may be determined from time to time by the bank |
* Not applicable to interest-free Study Loan
The interest rates will be revised on a half-yearly basis based on the 3M SORA published on the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) website on 1 March (for the period 1 April to 30 September) or 1 September (for the period 1 October to 31 March of the following calendar year). You can visit DBS or OCBC website for the applicable interest rates on every 1 April and 1 October.
You only need to apply once for the Tuition Fee Loan to cover you for the entire duration of your programme at NTU.
For TFL Application to OCBC Bank
- Students who wish to apply for the Tuition Fee Loan are required to complete the TFL Form.
- Bring the completed TFL Form and visit any OCBC branch together with your guarantor during the application period^.
- Bring NRIC/Passport of both student and guarantor.
- Bring NTU Matriculation Card or Email/Letter indicating you have been offered/reserved a place in NTU.
For student submitting TFL Loan Application at NTU OCBC Frank Store, the operating hours as follows:
- Every Thursday 1pm to 3 pm only
For TFL Application to DBS Bank
You can now submit your TFL application to DBS online. You will no longer need to make the trip to the Branch to submit hardcopy application forms.
Do take the time to read through this guide to learn more about what you need to prepare in advance to be able to submit your digital TFL application online. When you are ready, please visit Tuition Fee Loan | DBS Singapore and follow the instructions on the ‘Apply Now’ section.
Important Notes:
- Digital TFL Application is only applicable to applications with Guarantors who are Singapore Citizens/Permanent Residents and Foreigners who are pass-holders (residing or working in Singapore). Hardcopy application forms will no longer be accepted at our Branches going forward.
- For Guarantors who are Foreigners that are neither residing nor working in Singapore, you will not be able to apply digitally. Please refer to the guide for more information on how to apply for your TFL. You may bring the completed TFL Form and identification documents to DBS Singapore Raffles Place Branch together with your guarantor during the application period^.
^ For late applications, the loan may not be disbursed in time to be reflected in your e-bill and to finance your tuition fees by payment due date. For overdue payments, a late payment fee is charged.
The University has appointed DBS Bank Ltd and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited (OCBC Bank) as agents to administer the Tuition Fee Loan Scheme.
- DBS Bank Ltd
Tel: 6333 0033 - OCBC Bank
Tel: 1800 363 3333 (within Singapore) / +65 6363 3333 (outside Singapore)