Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme

Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2018/19

Introduction

The Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme (MUSSS) was launched by the Government to support Hong Kong students in pursuing undergraduate studies in the Mainland and ensure that no students will be deprived of post-secondary education opportunity due to a lack of means.  The MUSSS comprises two components: "means-tested subsidy" (eligible students who have passed a means test will receive either a full-rate subsidy or a half-rate subsidy, depending on their needs) and "non-means-tested subsidy".  For the 2018/19 academic year, the full-rate subsidy and half-rate subsidy are HK$16,800 and HK$8,400 per annum respectively.  The "non-means-tested subsidy" offers a flat rate subsidy of HK$5,600.  The subsidy is granted on a yearly basis. The subsidised period is the normal duration of the undergraduate programme pursued by the student concerned in a designated Mainland institution.  Eligible applicants can only receive either a means-tested subsidy or a non-means-tested subsidy in a given academic year.  The MUSSS is not subject to any quota.

"Means-tested subsidy"

Eligibility

Students meeting the following criteria may apply for the "means-tested subsidy" for the 2018/19 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 any of the 176 designated Mainland institutions in the 2018/19 academic year.

Amount of Subsidy

Students who pass a means test will receive either a full-rate subsidy of HK$16,800 or half-rate subsidy of HK$8,400 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 students applying "means-tested subsidy".

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 applying for "means-tested subsidy" and submits report to the EDB on the financial position of the family concerned. EDB will determine the eligibility of the student applying for "means-tested subsidy" 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 applying for "means-tested subsidy" (please refer to Guidance Notes on Application for Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2018/19 for details).

"Non-means-tested subsidy"

Eligibility

Students meeting the following criteria may apply for the "non-means-tested subsidy" for the 2018/19 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 any of the 176 designated Mainland institutions in the 2018/19 academic year; and
(d)(1) attained "3322" in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination, 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 $5,600 for an academic year. No means test will be conducted.

Application Procedures

Students who wish to apply for "means-tested subsidy" or "non-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）.

The completed application forms and relevant supporting documents should be submitted, on or before 21 August 2018 (for students who entered the designated Mainland institutions before the 2018/19 academic year) or 21 September 2018 (for students who will first enter the designated Mainland institutions in the 2018/19 academic year), by post to:

Education Bureau,

P.O. Box No. 23448,

Wan Chai Post Office

(please specify "Application for MUSSS")

The Education Bureau will notify individual applicants of the application result by the first quarter of 2019.

Enquiry

Enquiries should be directed to 2827 1112 or musss@edb.gov.hk. For enquiries related to means test of "means-tested subsidy", please contact the SFO at 3622 3775.

Application Forms and Guidance Notes for Downloading

Note:

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

(2) If the family of the student applying for the "means-tested subsidy" has submitted the Household Application for Student Financial Assistance Schemes for the 2018/19 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 2018/19 based on the assessment result of his/her family’s eligibility in the Household Application.  The applicant only has to submit the completed and signed application form (M1) 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 applying for the "means-tested subsidy" has not submitted the Household Application for Student Financial Assistance Schemes for the 2018/19 academic year to the SFO, the applicant should submit the completed application form (M1) and Means Test Assessment Form (M2) together with copies of the required supporting documents to the EDB by post for the SFO to conduct the 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.

Press Release

• "Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme opens for applications" on 22 June 2018 

Poster and Leaflet