MDIS introduces the Education Recovery Grant in light of Covid-19 pandemicPress Releases

MDIS introduces the Education Recovery Grant in light of Covid-19 pandemic

Singapore, 16 July 2020 - In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, The Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS), Singapore’s oldest not-for-profit professional institute for lifelong learning, introduces the Education Recovery Grant setting aside a sum of S$350,000 to ease the financial burden of prospective students.

Eligible Singaporean citizens and Permanent Residents applying to all MDIS undergraduate programmes awarded by partner universities and MDIS-awarded preparatory courses (GCE A-level, GCE O-level and IGCSE) will receive a one-time grant for the intakes commencing 1 June 2020 to 30 November 2020. 

The quantum of the grant is dependent on the duration and cost of the undergraduate programmes and preparatory courses (GCE A-level, GCE O-level and IGCSE) undertaken. The proposed quantum is as follows:

With major disruptions to the economy affecting the livelihood and financial security of individuals and businesses, the grant aims to provide relief with affordable fees for those seeking to pursue higher education at MDIS. At the same time, it is an incentive to encourage students to upskill their qualifications to prepare for the challenge in the post-pandemic phase. 

A sum of S$350,000 is set aside for the Education Recovery Grant 2020 to encourage students to enrol for the MDIS programmes by 31 October 2020 and the grant amount will be deducted from the last instalment of the tuition fees or upfront if payment is made in full. 

“The objective of the grant is to give individuals a helping hand to continue to upgrade their academic knowledge and skills and to ensure that education is made affordable to everyone. In upskilling their qualifications, they will be able to sustain their employability amidst the changing employment landscape, and be better prepared for the challenges ahead”, said Mr James Teo, Director of MDIS Academic Affairs.   

To further support the financial needs of our applicants, MDIS is introducing a lower instalment payment scheme for the first six months of the duration of the programme and will consider providing a longer duration of instalment payments. In addition, the tuition fees payable will be prorated quarterly if the student joins the programme after the stipulated enrolment period. Such payment requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis in consideration of the financial burden of applicants.

Existing students who require urgent financial aid may also be able to tap into this grant and eligibility will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis supported by proof of financial hardship due to Covid-19.. 

MDIS firmly believes that education is key to sustaining societal and economic growth of Singapore.  MDIS first began offering scholarship and bursary awards in 1996, and subsequently, the Institute has stepped up its efforts to increase funding through the MDIS Education Trust Fund (METF), which was established in 1999. Funded entirely by surpluses from MDIS’ operations, the METF provides financial assistance to deserving students in their pursuit of education.  The MDIS Scholarship & Bursary Awards are a part of the institute’s continued pledge to give back to the community; a pledge it has kept since 1996. To date, the institute has disbursed nearly S$6.3 million worth of scholarships and bursaries to about 8,830 beneficiaries.

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For further information, please contact:

Jesline Wong    
Senior Director, Communications    
Email: jesline_wongmn@mdis.edu.sg 
    
Shahidah Sayadi
Senior Executive, Communications
Email: shahidah@mdis.edu.sg