CDAC reevaluates income ceiling for bursaries
The Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) has taken a significant step to support financially challenged students by revising its income ceiling for bursaries, effectively doubling the eligibility limit.
This move is expected to pave the way for more students from needy families to qualify for aid starting next year.
Effective January, the revised criteria will increase the gross monthly household income ceiling for eligibility to S$4,800 (US$3,600), up from the current S$2,400.
Additionally, the gross per capita income limit will increase from S$800 to S$1,400.
CDAC announced these changes in a media release on 3 December.
These adjustments will apply to both the CDAC-Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations Bursary, catering to primary and secondary school students, and the Youth Empowerment & Aspiration Programme Grant, benefiting post-secondary school students.
Under these programs, primary and secondary school bursary recipients will receive S$300 and S$480 respectively, while post-secondary grant recipients will receive S$720.
The decision to review the income ceiling was inspired by CDAC’s commitment to better serve the needs of low-income families.
Allocating S$38.69 million in its 2024 budget for various programs and support schemes, the organisation anticipates a substantial increase in the number of households benefiting from its initiatives, projecting approximately 17,000 households to benefit next year.
North West District Mayor and CDAC board member Alex Yam announced these changes during CDAC’s “Ready for School” carnival at Nanyang Junior College, where Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat was the guest of honour.
Families received support through the annual RFS project, including S$200 worth of transport e-vouchers, along with S$80 worth of e-vouchers for each school-going child to purchase essential school-related items.
This year’s event saw around 5,000 people from approximately 1,500 families in attendance.
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