Types of Scholarships for Studying in Singapore Currently Available


### Scholarships for Studying Abroad in Singapore

Scholarships for studying in Singapore come from various sources, with two main sources being the Singapore Government Scholarships and scholarships provided by individual schools. Each type of scholarship has specific requirements.

#### Singapore Government Scholarships (SGS)

These are the most prestigious scholarships provided by the Singapore government to support international students attending public schools in Singapore. There are three main types of government scholarships:

#### A*Star Scholarship

This scholarship is offered by the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research of Singapore under the Young Researchers Attachment Program (A*STAR). The number of scholarships is limited and distributed equally among schools and students from different countries, so your chances of receiving this scholarship are quite high.

When you receive the A*Star scholarship, you will be exempted from 100% of tuition fees for four years, provided with free dormitory accommodation, given an annual stipend of about 2,200 SGD, one round-trip airfare, and other medical and insurance allowances.

To be eligible for this scholarship, you must pass a written test and a direct interview. The written tests mainly include Mathematics, English, and IQ tests. If you meet the standards, you will be invited for an interview the next day.

**A*Star Scholarship Examination Content**

**GAT (General Ability Test):** This test assesses general thinking ability and logical reasoning skills. GAT consists of 60 multiple-choice questions within 20 minutes, all in the form of images. The test is divided into five parts, each with 12 questions of increasing difficulty.

**Mathematics:** Includes 35 problems in English, with a 2-hour time limit. Students are not allowed to use dictionaries or calculators. However, each student will be provided with a glossary of terms. The specific content of the Math test includes:

- Arithmetic: prime numbers, integers, natural numbers, number lines, powers

- Algebra: first and second-degree equations, functions

- Geometry: lines and angles, triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons

- Other types: image interpretation, numerical patterns, letter patterns

**English:** Consists of two parts, with a 2-hour time limit, as follows:

- Reading comprehension, multiple-choice, and fill-in-the-blank: 1.5 hours

- Essay writing: 30 minutes on topics related to everyday social life. Essay topics are very random and do not follow any set pattern.

**Singapore Government Scholarship Interview**

After passing the written test, if you qualify, you will be invited to participate in the interview round. This interview assesses your English communication skills, confidence, adaptability, and personal characteristics. The interview panel consists of five members: two reviewing your application, two evaluating your test, and the principal who will directly interview you. The questions revolve around daily life topics such as family, future plans, and academic performance. The length of the interview depends on the interviewer.

#### ASEAN Scholarship for High School Students

This scholarship is implemented by the Ministry of Education of Singapore (MOE) in collaboration with the Singapore Embassy in Vietnam. It is for high school students from grade 9 to grade 12. Applications for the scholarship can be submitted online easily.

**ASEAN Scholarship Value** includes all tuition fees, free dormitory accommodation, settlement allowance, insurance, round-trip airfare, and examination fees for GCE O-Level and A-Level exams.

To obtain the scholarship, you need to pass the application screening round, then continue with the official exam, which can be taken in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. The exam consists of a written test and an interview. However, with the ASEAN scholarship, you do not have the freedom to choose your school; it is determined by the Singapore government.

**ASEAN Scholarship Exam Content**

**Round 1 (Written Test):**

**Part 1:** English, 1.5 hours. The test mainly focuses on vocabulary, reading comprehension, and essay writing. The essay is the most important part, requiring students to write a narrative essay about memorable events or lessons in their lives. If you pass the written test and proceed to the interview round, you may be asked questions based on your essay.

**Part 2:** Mathematics, 1.5 hours. The Math test is comparable to the level of grade 9 students but is entirely in English.

**Part 3:** IQ test, 20 minutes. Questions focus on logical thinking and geometry. Students need to manage their time well to complete 50-60 multiple-choice questions in 20 minutes.

**Round 2 – Interview**

Effective English communication skills are particularly important in this round. Therefore, students need to prepare well for the scholarship interview. To impress the panel, you should highlight your unique qualities through their questions. Take the time to think carefully about their questions to provide appropriate answers.

**Value of Singapore Government Scholarships (Including A*Star and ASEAN)**

A*Star and ASEAN scholarships for high school students are awarded to students from ASEAN countries (excluding Singaporean students). The value includes:

- Tuition fees for four years of study in Singapore (covering Sec 3, 4, and Junior College 1, 2)

- Medical insurance for four years

- Dormitory fees and two meals a day at the dormitory

- Exam fees for "O" level and "A" level exams

- Annual living allowance of 2,200 SGD for high school students (Sec 3, 4) and 2,400 SGD for pre-university students (Junior College 1, 2)

- One-way airfare to Singapore (at the beginning of the study period) and round-trip airfare during the end-of-year break in the second year and one-way airfare back home after four years

- Other allowances such as fees for extracurricular activities, camps, and team-building activities

Both scholarships do not have any obligations to the Ministry of Education of Singapore and high schools in Singapore. Therefore, after completing high school, students have the freedom to choose their future study and work locations. However, students must maintain good academic performance and not violate school rules to retain the scholarship throughout their study period.

#### ASEAN Scholarship for NUS University Students

This ASEAN scholarship is usually for university-level students studying in Singapore. The scholarship is awarded based on graduation grades and high school academic achievements. It can also be based on UEE exam scores for students currently in grade 12. Additionally, extracurricular activities or leadership skills may also be considered.

To apply for the scholarship, you submit an application to the National University of Singapore (NUS). If you meet the requirements, you will be invited for an interview. The number of scholarships is usually limited, with about 300 applicants selected through entrance exams, while those who apply through documents do not need to take the exam.

**NUS University Entrance Scholarship Exam**

English and Mathematics are mandatory subjects, and optional subjects based on the registered major include Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or Humanities. If selected for the entrance exam and passing the qualifying round, you will receive an email invitation for an interview from the school about two weeks before the exam. For high school graduates, the timeline is about two months.

When NUS sends the interview invitation, you need to complete a CV including personal information and a short essay explaining why you should be awarded the scholarship and your future contributions. The interview locations are in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

**Value of ASEAN University Scholarships**

The ASEAN scholarship covers the remaining tuition fees after students receive the Tuition Grant. This means that when participating in the ASEAN scholarship for studying in Singapore, you need to work for companies in Singapore for three years if you accept the Tuition Grant. For high-cost programs like Dentistry or Medicine, the binding period may extend to 5-6 years.

An allowance of 5,800 SGD/year is provided. This amount is divided equally into two terms (2,900 SGD each term).

This scholarship is maintained throughout the undergraduate study period. To retain the scholarship, students must achieve a GPA of above 3.5/5 each semester.

#### Scholarships from Private Schools in Singapore

Besides scholarships provided by the Singapore government, there are many other valuable scholarships from private schools for international students.

Singapore has many private school systems, with about 300 different private schools, mainly focusing on information technology, commerce, and arts. In general, all private schools are strictly managed by the Council for Private Education (CPE).

Notably, scholarships from these private schools are much easier to obtain than government scholarships due to lower competition. To win these scholarships, you need to meet the following criteria:

- High GPA, the higher the GPA, the greater the chance of getting a scholarship

- High IELTS score

- Active participation in extracurricular activities

However, the number of scholarships varies each year and by school, so you need to contact the schools in advance to know which private schools offer scholarships.

Here is the translation of the passage into English:

To easily secure a scholarship for studying in Singapore, you should pay attention to the following tips:

- Strive for academic excellence: One of the prerequisites for receiving a scholarship is a high GPA, typically at least 7.5. Therefore, the higher your GPA, the better your chances.

- Improve your English proficiency: Scholarships for studying in Singapore also require a high IELTS score. Hence, invest in improving your English language skills.

- Actively participate in extracurricular activities: Singaporean institutions prefer well-rounded scholarship candidates. Therefore, besides academic achievements, students should actively engage in extracurricular and social activities, demonstrating strong leadership skills.

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