Financial Aid

Eligible BA/BSc(Ed) student teachers who do not receive salary or stipend and SSM students may apply for any of the following to fund their tuition fees:

a)       Tuition Fee Loan (TFL) – submit directly to the agent banks appointed by NTU
b)       CPF Education Loan Scheme – submit to NIE Student Services Centre 
           (located at NIE, Admin Block 1 Level 1, within the Office of Academic Administration & Services,
           1 Nanyang Walk, Singapore 637616)
c)       Mendaki Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy – submit application online at http://tfas.mendaki.org.sg/

Please select "National Institute of Education" as the Institution.

Full-fee paying students and part-time students are not eligible for these schemes.

Students can refer to the NIE Portal for details.

More information on the Tuition Fee Loan from agent banks appointed by NTU can be obtained here.

More information on the CPF Education Loan Scheme can be obtained here

More information on the Mendaki Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy can be obtained here

Who is eligible?

All applicants (Singapore, SPR or International) pursuing their undergraduate degree* are eligible for the loan regardless of family income.

*Note:
- SPR/International students paying non-subsidised tuition fees are not eligible to apply for financial aid schemes

- BA/BSc (Ed) Student Teachers who are receiving salary, stipend from MOE are also not eligible for the Tuition Fee Loan (TFL).

Quantum

The Tuition Fee Loan (TFL) covers up to 90% of subsidised tuition fee payable by Singaporeans for a similar programme. It does not cover compulsory miscellaneous fees and hostel fee.

Note: For SPR and international students who take up both the Tuition Fee Loan and Study Loan, you will only receive a total loan amount equivalent to the subsidised tuition fees payable by Singaporeans for a similar programme of study. As the subsidised tuition fees for SPR and international students are higher than the fees for Singaporean students, the loans will not cover your tuition fees in full.

Disbursement of funds

For students who are using a combination of loans &/or subsidies to settle their MOE subsidised tuition fees, the disbursement sequence is as follows:

1. Mendaki Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidies (MTTFS) where applicable
2. PSEA funds where applicable
3. CPF funds under the CPF Education Loan Scheme where applicable
4. Tuition Fee Loan (TFL) where applicable
5. Study Loan (SL) where applicable
6. NTU/MOE/Donated Bursary where applicable
7. GIRO deduction from students' own account/other account (for those with a GIRO arrangement with NIE to pay their semestral tuition & compulsory miscellaneous fees)

The total disbursements shall not exceed the amount of tuition, compulsory miscellaneous and late fees payable.

Administration of Loan

The University has appointed Development Bank of Singapore (DBS Bank) and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC Bank) as agents to administer the Tuition Fee Loan Scheme.

Guarantor

1. One guarantor aged 21 to 60 years (before turning 61 years old based on date of birth), and not an un-discharged bankrupt. 
2. There is no income qualification.
3. A loan applicant who is a:
   • Singaporean student to provide a Singaporean guarantor.
   • Singapore Permanent Resident student to provide a Singaporean/Singapore Permanent Resident guarantor.
   • International students to provide a guarantor of any nationality.
4. A person is discouraged from standing in for more than 2 loans in view of the financial implications.

Interest

• Interest free during studies.
• Interest will commence upon graduation. 
• The following interest rates will be applicable to all new Government education loan (i.e. MOE Tuition Fee Loan, MOE Study Loan, Overseas Student Programme Loan) agreements signed on and after 1 April 2024.

* not applicable to interest-free Study Loan

Repayment

• Repayment of loan can be in one lump sum or by equal monthly instalments commencing not later than two years from the date that interest is first chargeable on the loan or upon securing employment whichever is earlier.
• The minimum amount of repayment is S$100 per month and the maximum repayment period is 20 years.
• In the event that the student leaves the University without completing the programme of study, the loan outstanding will immediately become due and payable. He may, however, repay the outstanding sum by monthly instalments on such terms and conditions as the University may allow depending on the circumstances of each case. 

How to Apply

1. Students and their guarantors can apply for Tuition Fee Loan with DBS or OCBC.
2. You need only apply once for this loan to cover you for the duration of your programme at NIE.
   

   
   Application via OCBC

3. To complete the TFL Form and visit any OCBC Branch together with your guarantor during the application period listed below.
   

   For student submitting TFL Loan Application at NTU OCBC Frank Store, the operating hours as follows:

   • Every Thursday 1pm to 3pm only

   
   If you are applying outside the application period, NIE Student Services Centre (SSC) at Office of Academic Administration and Services Block 1 Level 1 will need to endorse your TFL Application Form before you visit the bank. For form endorsement at NIE SSC, your guarantor need not be present. Submit to DBS or OCBC at any time with your guarantor once NIE Student Services Centre’s endorsement is obtained.

4. Please email a scanned copy of the TFL Application Form to [email protected] after the bank has approved your application.

          Application via DBS

5.   Student will be able to submit Tuition Fee Loan Digital Application online.
6.   The Tuition Fee Loan Digital Application is only applicable for guarantor who is a Singapore Citizen/Permanent Resident/Foreigner (pass-holder residing or working in Singapore). Hardcopy Tuition Fee Loan application forms will no longer be accepted at all DBS Banks.
7. If the guarantor (foreigner) is neither residing nor working in Singapore, you will not be able to apply digitally (only   hardcopy application form is available). Please refer to the Guide for more information on how to apply for your Tuition Fee Loan. The application form can be downloaded here. 
8. To submit your Tuition Fee Loan Digital Application online, please click here and choose National Institute of    Education as the Institution.

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.

NIE Student Services Centre
Email: [email protected]

Development Bank of Singapore (DBS Bank)
Tel: 6333 0033

Overseas-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC Bank)
Tel: 1800-363-3333 (within Singapore/ +65-6363-3333 (outside Singapore)

Changing of bank is not allowed once the application has been submitted to the bank. An existing borrower who wishes to vary his loan quantum should make a request directly to the bank where the loan was originally approved. Please update the respective banks of any change in personal information (i.e. mobile numbers and mailing address) before and after the submission of the TFL applications.

The Tuition Fee Loan is financial assistance given to graduate students pursuing their graduate programmes through research or selected coursework programmes.

Note:

1. Students who are paying non-subsidised tuition fees are NOT eligible for Tuition Fee Loan.
2. Students currently on scholarships are not eligible for the loan. You may want to learn about scholarships that are available for graduate students.

Eligibility

Candidates enrolled in the following full-time and part-time research programmes are eligible to apply for a Tuition Fee Loan of up to 90% of the research fee payable by Singapore citizens.

a)    Doctor of Philosophy
b)    Master of Arts (by research)
c)    Master of Science (by research)

Candidates enrolled in the following full-time subsidised coursework programme are eligible to apply for a Tuition Fee Loan of up to 90% of the tuition fee payable by Singapore citizens.

• Master of Education (all specialisations)
• Master of Teaching

Note: For SPR students who take up the Tuition Fee Loan, you will only receive a total loan amount equivalent to the subsidised tuition fees payable by Singaporeans for a similar programme of study. As the subsidised tuition fees for SPR students are higher than the fees for Singaporean students, the loans will not cover your tuition fees in full.

Quantum

Below is a worked example of what it means by ‘The tuition fee loan covers up to 90% of tuition fee payable by Singapore citizens.’

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.

* Not applicable to interest-free Study Loan 

How to Apply

1. You only need to apply once for the Tuition Fee Loan to cover you for the entire duration of your programme at NIE.
   
   For TFL Application to OCBC Bank 
2. Download a copy of the Tuition Fee Loan (TFL) Application form and complete it. 
   
3. Bring the completed TFL Form and visit any OCBC branch together with your guarantor during the application period.
4. Bring NRIC/ Passport of both student and guarantor.
5. Bring NTU Matriculation Card or Email/ Letter indicated you have been offered/ reserved a place in NIE.
6. For applications submitted after the deadline, the completed forms should be endorsed first at the NIE Student Services Centre (SSC) at Office of Academic Administration and Services Block 1 Level 1 (Your guarantor need not be present).
7. Please email a scanned copy of the TFL Application Form to [email protected] after the bank has approved your application.
   
   For TFL Application to DBS Bank 
8. 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 forms. 
9. 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 and choose National Institute of Education as the Institution.
   
   Important Notes: 
10. 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.
    
11. 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 Tuition Fee Loan (TFL) and identification documents to DBS Singapore Raffles Place Branch together with your guarantor during the application period.
    
12. Tuition Fee Loan application for a new Academic Year must be submitted directly to the bank by the 1st day of that Academic Year.
13. 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. 
    
    

Application Period

Further enquiries

Development Bank of Singapore (DBS Bank)
Tel: 6333 0033

Overseas-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC Bank)
Tel: 1800-363-3333 (within Singapore/ +65-6363-3333 (outside Singapore)

Changing of bank is not allowed once the application has been submitted to the bank. An existing borrower who wishes to vary his loan quantum should make a request directly to the bank where the loan was originally approved. Please update the respective banks of any change in personal information (i.e. mobile numbers and mailing address) before and after the submission of the TFL applications.

NIE Singapore Undergraduate Online Scholarship

NIE ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship (Semester)

The Central Provident Fund (CPF) Education Scheme is for the payment of MOE subsidised tuition fee for full-time undergraduate programmes.  It does not cover compulsory miscellaneous fees and hostel fee. CPF funds cannot be withdrawn for tuition fees that are not subsidized by MOE.   

BA/BSc(Ed) student teachers who do not receive salary, stipend and whose tuition fees are not paid by MOE and SSM students may apply for the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Education Loan Scheme.

BA/BSc (Ed) student teachers and SSM students can use own, spouse’s or parents’ CPF savings to pay for tuition fees. The CPF Board will consider the use of sibling's or relative's CPF savings only on a case-by-case basis.

Full-fee paying students and part-time students are not eligible for this scheme.

Disbursement of funds

For students who are using a combination of loans &/or subsidies to settle their MOE subsidised tuition fees, the disbursement sequence is as follows:

1. Mendaki Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidies (MTTFS) where applicable
2. PSEA funds where applicable
3. CPF funds under the CPF Education Loan Scheme where applicable
4. Tuition Fee Loan (TFL) where applicable
5. Study Loan (SL) where applicable
6. NTU/MOE/Donated Bursary where applicable
7. GIRO deduction from students' own account/other account (for those with a GIRO arrangement with NIE to pay their semestral tuition & compulsory miscellaneous fees) 

The total disbursements shall not exceed the amount of tuition, compulsory miscellaneous and late fees payable.

Guarantor

The CPF Board has waived the requirement for Singaporean students to provide a guarantor for new applications received with effect from 1 April 2005. However, the CPF Board reserves the right to require a student to furnish a guarantor acceptable to the Board when it is deemed necessary.

With effect from 10 November 2008, a student who is not a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident is required to provide a guarantor. For guarantor’s requirements, please refer to Part 4 of the Use CPF Savings for Education Loan Scheme form (Form AES/F1).

Interest & Withdrawal Fee

Interest is computed from the time the CPF savings are withdrawn, at the prevailing CPF interest rate. CPF charges a withdrawal administration fee per withdrawal.

Repayment

•         The repayment can be made in one lump sum or in monthly instalments over a maximum period of 12 years. For outstanding amounts of up to S$10,000, the minimum repayment per month is S$100.

•         Repayment starts one year after the student graduates or one year after he leaves the programme, whichever is earlier.

•         All repayments must be in cash.

How to apply

Please complete these application forms:

1) Student Data Sheet

2) CPF Education Loan Scheme Instructions & Terms and Conditions (AES/F1-A) 

3) Procedures and Guidelines (AES/F1-B) & Application Form

If the guarantor is currently not contributing to his CPF Account, you are required to furnish a copy of his Notice of Tax Assessment for the current year or a duly signed letter from his employer, as well as a photocopy of his identity card.

Please submit the forms and supporting documents to NIE Student Services Centre at the following address within the submission period.

Office of Academic Administration & Services (OAAS)
Block 1, Level 1
1 Nanyang Walk
Singapore 637616
Attn:    Mr Edwin Tan    
            Executive, Student Administration

You are required to submit only one application for the whole programme of study.

Application period

Cancellation

To stop withdrawal of the CPF funds, please fill up the CPF Revocation Form and submit it to the CPF Board to discontinue the CPF Education Scheme. CPF withdrawals will continue until you graduate/cancel/revoke your application. If you do not wish/need to withdraw CPF funds, please remember to cancel/revoke your application to avoid incurring the withdrawal fee.

Further information

More information is available at:
https://www.cpf.gov.sg/member/faq/other-schemes/cpf-education-loan-scheme

The Mendaki Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy (TTFS) scheme, introduced in 1991, is an education subsidy for Malay students to cover their tuition fees at tertiary institutions. The Government, together with Yayasan Mendaki, has revised the income eligibility criteria for the scheme to benefit more Malay students in tertiary institutions to ensure that students in financially challenged families are not denied access to higher education, while cultivating the spirit of self-reliance in more well-to-do families. The new criteria will take effect from the academic year (AY) 2012.

Who is eligible?

• Singapore Citizen/Singapore Permanent Resident Malay students.
• Students whose race or first component of the double-barrelled race is Malay.
• Monthly household Per Capita Income (PCI) does not exceed S$2,000.
• Students receiving MOE Tuition Grant and pursuing their first full time degree.

Quantum

• 100% of MOE subsidized tuition fee payable by Singaporean student if PCI is S$1,400 and below.
• 75% of MOE subsidized tuition fee payable by Singaporean student if PCI is between S$1,401 to S$1,700.
• 50% of MOE subsidized tuition fee payable by Singaporean student if PCI is between S$1,701 to S$2,000.

Disbursement of funds
For students who are using a combination of loans &/or subsidies to settle their MOE subsidised tuition fees, the disbursement sequence is as follows:

1. Mendaki Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidies (MTTFS) where applicable
2. PSEA funds where applicable
3. CPF funds under the CPF Education Scheme where applicable
4. Tuition Fee Loan (TFL) where applicable
5. Study Loan (SL) where applicable
6. NTU/MOE/Donated Bursary where applicable
7. GIRO deduction from students' own account/other account (for those with a GIRO arrangement with NIE to pay their semestral tuition & compulsory miscellaneous fees)

The total disbursements shall not exceed the amount of tuition, compulsory miscellaneous and late fees payable.

How to apply

• Apply online at Mendaki’s website during application period. (Do not submit any hardcopy forms to Mendaki) 
  Please select "National Institute of Education" as the Institution.
• Supporting documents are to be submitted via the on-line application.
• You are required to submit only one application for the whole programme of study.
• Yayasan Mendaki will inform you of the outcome and update NIE if your application has been approved.

For existing students who would like Mendaki to review their subsidy amount, you will need to reapply again. Existing students who are receiving 100% subsidy need not reapply for the subsidy.

Application Period

To take effect from                    Application Period

Semester 1 AY2023-2024          1 June 2023 to 30 July 2023
Semester 2 AY2023-2024          21 November 2023 to 15 December 2023      

To check on your application outcome or to appeal to apply after this deadline, email directly to Yayasan Mendaki at [email protected]

Further information

More information on this scheme and other financial assistance offered by Yayasan Mendaki is available at http://www.mendaki.org.sg/

FOR PAYMENT OF FEES FOR ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME (ONE TIME PAYMENT)

To withdraw PSEA funds for your enrichment programme, the programme must be approved and endorsed by the university to be relevant to the course the student is pursuing. The PSEA fund cannot be withdrawn for Student Club activities. 

How to apply

After completion of your programme, please submit the documents listed below in person/mail to the following person within TWO months from the completion of the programme.

Documents

• PSEA Adhoc Withdrawal Form.
  
  For student using his/ her own PSEA or his/her sibling PSEA, click here for Online Adhoc application. 
  (Student below 21-year-old at the point of submission, please inform your parent to submit your online application on your behalf)
  Note: All other required documents (points below) must be emailed to [email protected] within a week of your online PSEA application submission. Late submission, incomplete or missing documents will delay the processing of your PSEA withdrawal.
  
  The amount to be withdrawn must be based on the actual charges/expenses incurred during the programme. Submit the following documents via email to [email protected].
  

• Reimbursement of overseas trip claim form. Please fill up this form if you have travelled overseas for enrichment programme.
• Copies of original invoices/receipts showing the actual cost/expenses incurred.
• Copy of document (letter/email) from an NIE faculty/department staff indicating his endorsement/support of the programme.

Application Period

Adhoc Withdrawal (One time withdrawal for Tuition and/or Miscellaneous Fees)

MOE Contact

• MOE Customer Service Hotline 6260-0777 / www.moe.gov.sg/contact
• More information about the PSEA scheme is available at MOE’s website

 
Further Enquiries

• NIE Finance Department

For Initial Teacher Preparation Students [PGDE, Diploma & BA/BSc(Ed)] & SSM:
Ms Ho Seok Tuan
Tel: 6790 3149
Email: [email protected]

For Graduate Students:
Ms Mabelline Ong
Tel: 6790 3149
Email: [email protected]

Note: Tuition fees and miscellaneous fees are subject to changes.

FOR REPAYMENT OF LOANS (FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE LEFT NIE)

PSEA holders can use their own PSEA funds to repay the principal loan amount of the approved government education loans listed below and any interest charged in respect of the loans after they had left the institution.

• CPF Education Scheme
• Tuition Fee Loan (TFL) 
• Study Loan (SL)
• Overseas Student Programme (OSP) Loan

To withdraw PSEA funds to repay the loans, download the loan repayment application form from MOE website and submit the completed form to MOE for processing.

For more information, please visit MOE website at https://www.moe.gov.sg/financial-matters/psea/how-to-use

The Mochammad Said Abdul Rachman Kapi Bursary provides financial support for Degree Programme Upgraders (i.e. Returning Teachers and Diploma in Education Crossovers) who meet the eligibility criteria to participate in one of the following short-stint exchange programmes:

1)     International Practicum (IP)

It is a 5-week exchange programme to schools in Europe, Asia, Oceania and North America.

IP will provide opportunities for student teachers to:

• understand and appreciate the education system of Singapore and those where NIE’s partners are situated in
• gain international perspectives on teaching and learning
• be immersed in different school and classroom cultures
• establish international contacts 

2)     Summer Studies

The duration for Summer Studies ranges from 2 to 5 weeks in selected Asian and European universities. Course fee is required.

Summer Studies provide opportunities for student teachers to:

• establish international contacts
• take up to a maximum of 2 courses and credit earned can be used to match to General Elective(s) in NIE

3)     Winter Studies

The duration for Winter Studies ranges from 2 to 3 weeks in selected Asian and European universities. Course fee is required.

Winter Studies provide opportunities for student teachers to:

• establish international contacts
• take a course and credit earned can be used to match to a General Elective in NIE

4)     Language Immersion Programme (LIP)

LIP is a 2-week programme in Asian and European universities. Course fee is required

LIP provides opportunities for student teachers to:

• establish international contacts
• learn a new foreign language and credit earned can be used to match to a General Elective in NIE

5)     Prelude

Prelude is a 2-week programme in Asian universities. Course fee is required 

Prelude provides opportunities for student teachers to:

• establish international contacts
• take a course and credit earned can be used to match to a General Elective in NIE

The Lee Sing Kong Endowment Fund provides bursaries to help financially needy students with an opportunity to participate in overseas immersion programmes and pursue a quality education. Overseas immersion programmes include but are not limited to semester exchanges, international internships, summer/winter programmes, and short-term study visits. The bursaries are meant to defray the partial cost of these overseas programmes.

Eligible Overseas Programmes

• International Practicum
• Service and Leadership Training (SALT)
• Semester Exchange
• Summer/Winter Exchange
  
• Other Overseas immersion Programmes (considered on a case-by-case basis)

The quantum of funding ranges from $500 to $3000, depending on the type of overseas immersion programme.

Eligibility

1. Open to Singaporean and Singapore Permanent Resident students pursuing the following programmes:

• Full-time undergraduate degree programmes at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) or National Institute of Education (NIE)
• NIE’s Postgraduate Diploma in Education
• NIE’s Diploma in Education 
  

Priority will be given to students pursuing at least a Minor offered by NIE.

2.  Gross Monthly Household Per Capital Income (PCI) of less than or equal to $2,500 per month or Gross Monthly
      Household Income (GHI) of less than or equal to $10,000. Applicants not meeting the PCI and GHI criteria may
      be considered at the selection committee's discretion.

3.   NIE trainee teachers who are MOE Scholars and Teaching Awardees are not eligible to apply.

4.   Applicants must also demonstrate interest and commitment to serving the community.

Application Documents

 All the documents below must be submitted together with the application form:

1.  A scanned copy of the latest income slips of your immediate family members in the same household
      (if applicable). 

2.  A scanned copy of the Latest Notice of Assessment (From IRAS) of your immediate family members (if
      applicable). 

Application Period

Concurrent Awards

Students may not concurrently hold other awards without the approval of NIE.

Application

Irene Tan Liang Kheng Conference Grant for NIE Students 

1. The grant will support students to attend conferences (local or overseas) towards developing their research mind set and capabilities, as well as promoting the name of National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NIE NTU Singapore) in research arenas. Aside from attaining a research outcome through inquiry on specific subject areas and into their practice, the opportunity to present their findings in conferences is another goal that they could aspire to. In stretching their capabilities, they are further developed as future educators and leaders while attaining a broader perspective in education. Conferences will also provide a platform to learn from experts in various disciplines, get feedback from academics or peers and widen their network.
   
   
2. Please note that you must be the first author of the paper/poster to be eligible for this grant.
   
   
3. Successful applicants will be required to produce a short video clip or write-up to document their learning experience. This will be inserted in suitable NIE platform(s) with acknowledgement of the fund which has supported their work.

Guidelines

1. Conference funding, when granted will take the form of a lump sum grant of the total computed quantum, subject to the total support not exceeding S$4,000 for each application.
    
2. The total computed quantum shall be based on the sum of the following:
   
   a.  Return Airfare (inclusive of airport taxes and security taxes)
   80% of the actual cost of an air ticket (inclusive of the travel agent’s fee for issuing the air ticket, if applicable) for the most economical route of air travel from Singapore to the nearest convenient airport to the conference venue.
   
   b.  Subsistence allowance for overseas conference (for meals and accommodation)
   50% of subsistence allowance based on the prevailing rates issued by NIE. Subsistence allowance will be given up to a maximum of 5 days or the duration of the conference, whichever is shorter.
   
   
c.  Conference Registration Fee
100% of the registration fee for the conference, excluding late fees and membership fees.


3. Please ensure you have completed/included all the supporting documents listed below:
   
a.  Abstract of the paper or poster to be presented.
b.  Confirmation of acceptance of paper or poster of the indicated conference.
c.  Supporting document for indicative cost of airfare (minimum 3 quotations).
d.  Supporting document for conference registration fee (early bird rate only. Exclude late fee & membership fee).
e.  Brochure/ official conference handout with programme listing.

4. If you are interested, please fill up the application form.  The completed application form together with all
   supporting documents should reach OAAS at least 6 weeks before the commencement of the conference.
   

5. The Irene Tan Liang Kheng Conference Grant is fully subscribed for the year 2024. Application will open again in April 2025.
   

6. For further enquiries, please email Ms Joyce at [email protected]