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Funding FAQ

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General
SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) Funding
Enhanced Training Support For SMEs (ETSS)

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General

Can a foreigner on Long Term Visit pass in Singapore be eligible for programme subsidies?

Foreigners on Long Term Visit pass in Singapore are not eligible for subsidies. They are required to pay the full course fee.

Can I use my Central Provident Fund (CPF) to pay for my course fees?

No, the CPF Education Scheme is for the payment of tuition fee for full-time undergraduate programmes only and cannot be used to finance SMU Academy programmes.

Can I use the Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP) to pay for or offset course fees?

Yes, only certain programmes are eligible. Please check for eligibility at NTUC portal.

How do I claim my SkillsFuture (SSG)/ IBF funding?

For eligible Singapore Citizens or Singaporean Permanent Citizens, there is no need to make any claims for funding. Funding is automatically computed when you register on our registration portal.

What subsidies are available for IBF courses?

IBF Standards Training Scheme (IBF-STS):

The IBF Standards Training Scheme (IBF-STS) provides funding for training and assessment programmes accredited under the Skills Framework for Financial Services. For training programmes commencing 1 Jan 2023:

  • 50% of direct training cost will be eligible for funding
  • Singapore Citizens aged 40 years old and above will be eligible for 70% co-funding of direct training costs.

For more information about IBF-STS funding, please click here.

IBF Financial Training Scheme (IBF-FTS):

The IBF Financial Training Scheme (IBF-FTS) provides funding for financial sector-specific training programmes which are recognised under FTS. For training programmes commencing 1 Jan 2023:

  • 30% of direct training cost will be eligible for funding
  • Singapore Citizens aged 40 years old and above will be eligible for 70% co-funding of direct training costs.

For more information about IBF-FTS funding, please click here.

Am I eligible for SMU Financial Aid?

SMU Academy courses are not eligible for funding under SMU Financial Aid. SMU Financial Aid is only applicable to our Postgraduate and Undergraduate programmes.

If I am unable to attend or complete a course, will there be any financial implications?

If participants fail to fulfil 75% attendance and pass the associated assessment, the nett course fee will be charged.

Should you need to withdraw or transfer your course enrolment, please reach out to us using this form here. 

Waivers of administrative charges are subjected to approval under the following conditions:

  • Medical grounds
  • Compassionate grounds
  • NS Reservist
     

Relevant documents (e.g. medical certificate, SAF100) must be submitted via email to support any waiver request.

What are the various funding schemes and subsidies available?

Eligible Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents will enjoy the following subsidies. Please click on the respective links for more details.  
 
1. SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) funding

   1.1. Singapore Citizens, Singapore PRs and LTVP+
   1.2. SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy (MCES)
   1.3. Enhanced Training Support for SMEs (ETSS)
   1.4. Workfare Skills Support (WSS) Scheme

SkillsFuture Singapore Funding

2. Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP)

3. Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA)

4. SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC)

Participants have to check on their company’s SFEC eligibility on the Business Grant Portal.

Please click here to find out which courses are eligible for SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC).


 

5. IBF Training Scheme

SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) Funding

Can I use my Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA) to pay for my course fees?

If you are below the age of 31, you are eligible to use PSEA for your course. For more information on utilising the PSEA, please click here or refer to the instructions below.

Step 1: 
Contact PSEA Customer Service at 6260 0777 to enquire about your available PSEA funds. 

Step 2:
Login to Student Portal > Click "Payment" > "Outstanding Payment".

Step 3:
Enter the amount and click on "Apply PSEA". (The image below is only for reference)

Step 4:
Once you are directed back to the payment page, select “Proceed to payment” at the bottom right of the page.

Step 5: 
Applicants are required to use SingPass to submit an application via FormSG. If parental/ guardian approval is required, please ensure that they complete the approval online. 

Step 6: 
Kindly save the Response ID upon submission as we may request for it.

Company Sponsored – Who will process the SkillsFuture funding, training allowance, and SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC)?

The employer does NOT need to claim for the SSG Funding.  The employer only needs to pay the nett course fees, after SSG Funding.

SMU Academy will liaise directly with SSG for all the necessary documentation to get reimbursed for the funded portion of the course fees.  This is to validate the correct funding that the company is entitled to, based on the employee’s age, nationality etc.

Companies who sponsor their employees for the course may apply for the Absentee Payroll via the Enterprise Jobs Skills Portal using their CorpPass Login. For more information, please visit the EPJS Portal.

What are the eligibility criteria to qualify for SkillsFuture Funding?

In order to be eligible for SSG funding, you are required to pass the associated assessment.

Applicant must be a Singapore Citizen, PR, or LTVP+ holder. 

You will not be eligible for funding if you fail the module. However, you are allowed 1 assessment retake at the cost of $109. This administrative fee cannot be paid using SkillsFuture credits. 

You will be eligible for funding if you pass the retake. Should you fail the assessment on the second attempt, you will be required to pay the net course fee.

You will only receive SSG funding on a module once. You will not be eligible for any SSG funding should you choose to re-take a module that you have received funding for previously.

For such cases you will be charged the full module fee.

I have completed a course and have paid for it myself. I would now like to seek a refund and use SkillsFuture Credit (SFC) instead. Is this possible?

Unfortunately, this is not possible.

Enhanced Training Support For SMEs (ETSS)

What are the funding schemes and subsidies available for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)?

Enhanced Training Support for SMEs (ETSS) – offers additional support for SMEs in the form of higher course fee subsidies. SMEs can receive SkillsFuture funding, of up to 90% of the course fees when they sponsor their employees to attend SSG-supported courses. Click here for more information.

To qualify for the ETSS Funding scheme:

SMEs must meet all of the following eligibility criteria.

  • Registered or incorporated in Singapore
  • Employment size of not more than 200 or with annual sales turnover of not more than $100 million

SME-sponsored Trainees:

  • Must be Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents
  • Courses have to be fully paid for by the employer
  • Trainee is not a full-time national serviceman

Trainees are eligible for ETSS funding only if their company's SME status is approved prior to the course commencement date. To verify your SME's status, please click here.

How do I know if I qualify for the Enhanced Training Support For SMEs (ETSS)?

Applicants will be able to qualify for ETSS funding only if the company's SME's status has been approved. To verify your SME's status, please click here. 

Is a self-employed person considered an SME?

Yes, you have to apply through the company-sponsored funding scheme (ETSS). Click here for more information.

To qualify for the ETSS Funding scheme:

SMEs must meet all of the following eligibility criteria.

  • Registered or incorporated in Singapore
  • Employment size of not more than 200 or with annual sales turnover of not more than $100 million

SME-sponsored Trainees:

  • Must be Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents
  • Courses have to be fully paid for by the employer
  • Trainee is not a full-time national serviceman

Trainees are eligible for ETSS funding only if their company's SME status is approved prior to the course commencement date. To verify your SME's status, please click here.

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