Financial Assistance

Full-time students who are in financial need and pursuing locally-accredited, self-financing post-secondary education programmes which will lead to a qualification at sub-degree (i.e. associate degree, higher diploma and / or professional diploma) level or above may apply for the Government student financial assistance under the Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students (FASP) and Non-means Tested Loan Scheme for Post-secondary Students (NLSPS) or the Continuing Education Fund (CEF).

1. Government Student Financial Assistance

Full-time students, aged 25 or below, who have the right of abode in Hong Kong or have resided in Hong Kong or have home in Hong Kong continuously for three complete years immediately prior to the commencement of their studies and have not obtained or will not obtain any sub-degree or above qualification for the academic years preceding their studies in the College are eligible to apply for the Government student financial assistance. This does not cover students staying in Hong Kong holding student visas. The assistance is offered through two schemes:

A. Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students (FASP)

The FASP offers financial assistance to full-time associate degree, pre-associate degree,  higher diploma and diploma students in the form of a grant and loan. The maximum level of financial assistance under FASP is made up of the following components:

1. the annual tuition fee grant for paying the annual tuition fee for the programme; 

2. academic expenses grant up to HK$3,200; and

3. living expenses loan up to $35,670.

The ceilings of the above assistances will be reviewed annually.

Students have accepted financial assistance under any other publicly-funded student finance assistance scheme (e.g. the Continuing Education Fund (CEF)) for the programme / course in the same academic year will not be eligible for the FASP.

B. Non-means Tested Loan Scheme for Post-secondary Students (NLSPS)

The NLSPS provides financial assistance in the form of loan to students covered under the Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students (FASP) to meet their tuition fees, academic expenses and basic living expenses.

It operates on a full-cost recovery basis. Interest is charged once the loan is drawn down and through out the repayment period until the NLSPS loan is fully repaid. The Government will from time to time review the best lending rate and adjust the interest rate accordingly. The interest rate of NLSPS as at 1 June 2009 is 3.599% per annum.

Students may apply for both or either one of the above assistances. Applications from current students are normally processed in May of the preceding academic year and those from new students in September at the beginning of the academic year.

For detailed information, please contact SFAA as follows:

2. Continuing Education Fund (CEF)

A total of 40 courses offered by the College currently were recognized by the Continuing Education Fund (CEF) as Reimbursable Courses. Students may visit the website of the Office of the Continuing Education Fund (OCEF) for details.


Scholarships

1. Entrance and Progression Scholarships

The College provides Entrance Scholarships to new associate degree, pre-associate degree,  higher diploma and diploma applicants who possess good academic qualifications such as the HKCEE, HKALE or other relevant examination results as well as to those students who have exemplary non-academic achievement, for example in sports, music, science or other areas deemed to be worthy of opened recognition. The amount of each Entrance Scholarship ranges from HK$3,500 to HK$10,000.

A progression scholarship of $4,000 to $5,000 will be granted as an incentive to any associate degree and higher diploma students who progresses to associate degree year 2 and higher diploma  year 2 or year 3 with outstanding academic results.

There is no need for students to apply for the Entrance and Progression Scholarships. The College will identify outstanding applicants, who will be informed of the award of scholarships upon notification of the offer of admission.

According to our record in the 2008-09 academic year, one in every five new applicants were offered the scholarships.

2. Academic Scholarships

There are about 40 scholarships available for application by both associate degree and pre-associate degree students. The scholarships will be awarded to students based on academic merit, achievement in extra-curricular activities and contributions to the College / University in aspects such as leadership and community services.