Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme

Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2017/18

• "Means-tested subsidy"
• "Non-means-tested subsidy"
• "Mainland Internship Scheme"

Introduction

The Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme (MUSSS) was launched by the Government in July 2014 to provide financial support to Hong Kong students pursuing undergraduate studies in the designated Mainland institutions and having passed a means test ("means-tested subsidy"). Eligible students who have passed a means test will receive either a full-rate subsidy of HK$15,000 or a half-rate subsidy of HK$7,500 per student per year, depending on their needs.  Starting from 2017/18 Academic Year, a "non-means-tested subsidy" is introduced under the MUSSS. Eligible students would receive a flat rate subsidy of $5,000 for an academic year. The subsidy is granted on a yearly basis. The subsidised period would be the normal duration of the undergraduate programmes pursued by the student concerned in the designated Mainland institution.

Eligible applicants could only receive either means-tested subsidy or non-means-tested subsidy in an academic year.

"Means-tested subsidy"

Eligibility

Students meeting the following criteria may apply for the "means-tested subsidy" for the 2017/18 academic year:
(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, whether local or non-local curricula; and
(c) pursuing undergraduate studies in the 156 designated Mainland institutions in the 2017/18 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 "means-tested 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）.

Eligible students should submit, on or before 31 July 2017 (for students who entered the designated Mainland institutions before the 2017/18 academic year) or 31 August 2017 (for students who will first enter the designated Mainland institutions in the 2017/18 academic year), the completed application forms and relevant supporting documents by post to:

Higher Education Division,
Education Bureau,
30/F, E-Trade Plaza, 24 Lee Chung Street,
Chai Wan, Hong Kong
(Please specify "Application for MUSSS (means-tested subsidy)")

The Education Bureau will notify individual applicants of the application result by the first quarter of 2018. 

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 2017/18 for details)

Enquiry

Enquiries should be directed to 2827 1112 or musss@edb.gov.hk. For enquiries related to means test of"means-tested subsidy" 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 2017/18 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 2017/18 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) Before submitting the application, please check carefully that the application form (M1) and/or the Means Test Assessment Form (M2) (if applicable) has/have been duly completed and signed.  The form(s) together with copies of the required supporting documents should be sent to the EDB by post with sufficient postage. Insufficient postage will lead to non-delivery of the application forms, in which case the EDB will not be able to process the application.  Applicants should write their correspondence address at the back of the addressed envelope to avoid wrong / unsuccessful delivery.

"Non-means-tested subsidy"

Eligibility

Students meeting the following criteria may apply for the "non-means-tested subsidy" for the 2017/18 academic year:
(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, whether local or non-local curricula;
(c) pursuing undergraduate studies in the 156 designated Mainland institutions in the 2017/18 academic year; and
(d)(1) attained "3322" in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE), i.e. attained  Level 3 for Chinese Language and English Language and Level 2 for Mathematics and Liberal Studies; OR
(d)(2) pursuing studies in Huaqiao University through "Pilot Scheme on the Articulation of Hong Kong Sub-degree Graduates to Huaqiao University".

Amount of Subsidy

Eligible students would receive a flat rate subsidy of $5,000 for an academic year. No means test will be conducted.

Application Procedures

"Non-means-tested subsidy" under the MUSSS is now open for applications for the 2017/18 academic year.

Eligible students should submit, on or before 3 October 2017 , the completed application forms and relevant supporting documents by post to:

Higher Education Division,
Education Bureau,
30/F, E-Trade Plaza, 24 Lee Chung Street,
Chai Wan, Hong Kong
(Please specify "Application for MUSSS (non-means-tested subsidy)")

The Education Bureau will notify individual applicants of the application result by the first quarter of 2018. 

Enquiry

Enquiries should be directed to 2827 1112 or musss@edb.gov.hk. 

Application Forms and Guidance Notes for Downloading

Note:

(5) Before submitting the application, please check carefully that the application form has been duly completed and signed.  The form together with copies of the required supporting documents should be sent to the EDB by post with sufficient postage. Insufficient postage will lead to non-delivery of the application forms, in which case the EDB will not be able to process the application.  Applicants should write their correspondence address at the back of the addressed envelope to avoid wrong / unsuccessful delivery.

"Mainland Internship Scheme"

Introduction

The Mainland Internship Scheme (MIS) 2017/18 aims to cover the internship expenses, including accommodation, meals and transportation, for financially needy Hong Kong students pursuing undergraduate studies in Mainland institutions.  Launched with a donation from the Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association (HKCEA), the MIS seeks to assist financially needy students so that they will not be deprived of the valuable opportunity to put their learning into practice due to a lack of means. It also aims to enhance students’ employability upon graduation by enabling them to gain a better understanding of actual workplace and acquire knowledge and skills specific to individual professions through the internship experience. Each eligible student is entitled to the MIS subsidy once only.

Eligibility

(a) only students receiving a means-tested full-rate or half-rate subsidy under the Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme (MUSSS) in the same academic year are eligible to apply (students whose applications for MUSSS are being processed could also  submit applications for the MIS);
(b) the internship must take place within the Mainland, and start on a date between 1 January and 31 December 2018;
(c) the internship must take place during the third year of the applicant’s undergraduate study or after (the duration of study does not include deferment, suspension or post-graduation period);
(d) the internship must be undertaken with the same employer on a continuous basis (i.e. students are required to work full-time throughout the period without interruption, except for normal rest days).  The duration of internships must at least be eight weeks consecutively; and
(e) students are required to submit documentary proof on completion of internship, including internship reports bearing the official seals of their academic institutions and host organisations, confirming that the internship met the requirements stipulated in items (b) to (d) above.

Amount of Subsidy

The amount of subsidy is determined by duration of the internship and calculated on a weekly basis (any period shorter than a week will not be counted towards the total).  There are two levels of subsidy, namely a full-rate subsidy of HKD$600 and a half-rate subsidy of HKD$300 per week. The internship should last for at least 8 weeks. For internships exceeding 12 weeks, the subsidy will be capped at the amount applicable to a 12-week internship.

Application Procedures

The MIS for the 2017/18 academic year is open for application from 1 to 31 January 2018.
 
Eligible students should submit the completed application forms and relevant supporting documents by post to:
 
Higher Education Division,
Education Bureau,
30/F, E-Trade Plaza, 24 Lee Chung Street,
Chai Wan, Hong Kong
(Please specify "Application for Mainland Internship Scheme")
 
The Education Bureau will notify individual applicants of the application result by the end of April 2018.  Late application will not be processed.

Enquiry

Enquiries should be directed to 2827 2224 or musss@edb.gov.hk.

Application Forms and Guidance Notes for Downloading

"Online Platform for Internship and Employment Information for Hong Kong Students Studying in the Mainland Universities"

In order to provide support on internship and employment to Hong Kong Students studying in the Mainland universities, the Education Bureau has engaged China Education Exchange (HK) Center to launch the "Online Platform for Internship and Employment Information for Hong Kong Students Studying in the Mainland Universities" since 2017. The Platform consists of four major parts which include (1) Job Search, (2) Featured Jobs, (3) Employment Information, and (4) Experience Sharing.  Please visit www.ujobs-mainlandhe.hk for further information.

Note:

(6) Before submitting the application, please check carefully that the application form has been duly completed and signed.  The form together with copies of the required supporting documents should be sent to the EDB by post with sufficient postage. Insufficient postage will lead to non-delivery of the application forms, in which case the EDB will not be able to process the application.  Applicants should write their correspondence address at the back of the addressed envelope to avoid wrong / unsuccessful delivery.

Press Release

• "Application for non-means-tested subsidy under Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme starts today" on 4 August 2017
• "Application for non-means-tested subsidy under Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme to close on October 3" on 20 September 2017