Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme

Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2016/17

• Introduction
• Eligibility
• Amount of Subsidy
• Application Procedures
• Means Test
• Press Release
• Poster and Leaflet
• Enquiries
• Application Forms and Guidance Notes for Downloading

Introduction

The Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme (MUSSS) was launched by the Government in 2014 to support Hong Kong students in financial need to pursue undergraduate studies in the Mainland under the Scheme for Admission of Hong Kong Students to Mainland Higher Education Institutions.  To support more financially needy Hong Kong students for pursuing undergraduate studies in the Mainland, the funding scope of MUSSS will, starting from the 2016/17 academic year, be expanded to cover all financially needy Hong Kong students pursuing undergraduate studies in 155 designated Mainland institutions, irrespective of the channels of their admission to the institutions.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the MUSSS 2016/17, a student will have to satisfy the following criteria:

(a) having right of abode or right to land in, or have entered Hong Kong on One-way Permits;
(b) receiving and having completed senior secondary education in Hong Kong, including those studying local and non-local curricula in Hong Kong; and
(c) pursuing undergraduate studies in the 155 designated Mainland institutions in the 2016/17 academic year.

Amount of Subsidy

Students who pass a means test will receive either a full-rate subsidy of HK$15,000 or half-rate subsidy of HK$7,500 per student per year, depending on their needs.  The Student Finance Office (SFO) under the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency will conduct the means tests for the families of the applicants.

Application Procedures

Students who wish to apply for the subsidy under the MUSSS may download the Application Form, Means Test Assessment Form and Guidance Notes from this website.  The relevant documents can also be downloaded from the website of the SFO（http://www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/sfo/en/forms/listing3.htm）.

The MUSSS is now open for applications for the 2016/17 academic year.  Eligible students may submit, on or before 31 July 2016 (for students who entered the designated Mainland institutions before the 2016/17 academic year) or 31 August 2016 (for students who will first enter the designated Mainland institutions in the 2016/17 academic year), the completed application forms and relevant supporting documents by post to:

Education Bureau
7/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices
2 Tim Mei Avenue
Tamar, Hong Kong
(Please specify "Application for MUSSS")

The Education Bureau will notify individual applicants of the application result by the first quarter of 2017. 

Means Test (including Assessment of Eligibility and Level of Subsidy)

The SFO assists the EDB in conducting the means test for the family of student and submits report to the EDB on the financial position of the family concerned. EDB will determine the eligibility of the student on the basis of the assessment result and other relevant information in his/her application. In respect of eligibility and level of subsidy, the SFO will use the "Adjusted Family Income" (AFI) mechanism as the means test to assess the eligibility and level of subsidy of a student. (please refer to Guidance Notes on Application for Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2016/17 for details)

Press Release

• "Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme opens for applications" on 1 June 2016

Poster and Leaflet

Enquiries

Enquiries should be directed to 3509 7396 or musss@edb.gov.hk. For enquiries related to means test under MUSSS, please contact the SFO at 3622 3775.

Application Forms and Guidance Notes for Downloading

Note:

(1)     Students aged 18 or above shall be deemed as "the applicant".  For students aged under 18, their parent/guardian shall act as "the applicant".

(2)     If the family of the student has submitted the Household Application for Student Financial Assistance Schemes for the 2016/17 academic year to the SFO, the EDB will consider the eligibility of the applicant and the amount of subsidy to be granted under the MUSSS on the basis of the assessment result of his/her family’s eligibility in the said Household Application.  Such applicants only need to submit the completed and signed application form together with copies of the required supporting documents specified in the application form to the EDB.  Completion and submission of the Means Test Assessment Form (M2) are not required.

(3)     If the family of the student has not submitted the Household Application for Student Financial Assistance Schemes for the 2016/17 academic year to the SFO, the applicant should submit the completed application form and Means Test Assessment Form (M2) together with copies of the required supporting documents to the EDB by post for SFO to conduct means test.

(4)     Please ensure that sufficient postage is paid to avoid unsuccessful delivery of documents / application.  Any underpaid mail items will be disposed of by the Hongkong Post.