The Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy (TTFS) scheme is an education subsidy for Malay students, which covers their tuition fees at local government tertiary institutions. The TTFS is established through an annual government grant to Yayasan MENDAKI (“MENDAKI”). 

TTFS is part of the Government’s constitutional commitment to protect, safeguard, support, foster and promote the educational interests of the Malays. Education is seen as the most effective lever towards securing the progress and socio-economic advancement of the Malay community. 

TTFS replaced the automatic waiver of tertiary tuition fees for Malay students in AY1991/1992. In 1989, Malay Members of Parliament (MMPs) initiated the idea of revising the system of financing Malay students in tertiary institutions and suggested replacing the automatic waiver of tuition fees with a criterion that would include means-testing. This idea was supported by then-Prime Minister (PM) Goh Chok Tong. TTFS was thus founded on two key principles: 

  a. To build a self-reliant
community standing tall with other communities in Singapore. 

b. For the better off within the community to help the less well-off. 

The Government grant is based on the total enrolment of Malay students in local universities and polytechnics, and MENDAKI disburses the grant to eligible students. Any undisbursed funds from TTFS are channelled to MENDAKI’s Education Development Fund (EDF), which is used for educational assistance schemes and other educational programmes run by MENDAKI. The money saved from the better-off segment of the community will thus benefit students, regardless of race and at all educational levels. 

Beneficiaries of EDF programmes range from families with toddlers, children attending madrasahs, and students in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions. This enables optimal utilisation of funds to help those who require it through developmental educational programmes, such as tuition classes for primary and secondary school students, and preparatory workshops/ programmes for primary school entrance or major examinations e.g. PSLE. 

PCI is computed as: Total monthly gross income of family
                                 ____________________________
                                  Total number of family members

1. The student is a Singapore Citizen (SC) or a permanent resident of Singapore and one of his/her parents (including adoptive parent and step-parent), living or deceased, is a Singapore citizen. 

2. The student’s race is stated in his/her NRIC as Malay or Indonesian Extract. 

3. The student’s monthly per capita household income (PCI) does not exceed $2,000, where the student will enjoy: 

 a. 100% subsidy if his/her PCI is  $1,400 and below. 

 b. 75% subsidy if his/her PCI is between $1,401 and $1,700. 

 c. 50% subsidy if his/her PCI is between $1,701 and $2,000. 

4. The student is receiving the MOE tuition fee grant or an equivalent government subsidy. 

5. The student is pursuing a first diploma or degree on a full-time basis at the following local government tertiary institutions or at an eligible government affiliated education institution: 

 a. Polytechnics (NYP, TP, SP, RP, NP) 

 b. Local Autonomous Universities (NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, SIT, SUSS) 

 c. Technical Engineering Diploma (TED) offered by the Institute of Technical Education (ITE). 

 d. Lasalle College of the Arts, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (selected degrees and diplomas) 

 e. Building and Construction Authority Academy (Full-Time Diploma Programme). 

TTFS subsidises tuition fees only. Other fees such as miscellaneous fees, examination fees, study tour or overseas exchange programme fees are not included. 

TTFS can be applied online via the MyMENDAKI portal. 

a. Sign up for an account in the MyMENDAKIportal.  

b. Fill up your particulars in “My Profile”. You can also use MyInfo to autofill in your details.  

c. Go to “Assistance” and select the TTFS scheme catered to your institution.

d. Click on “Apply now”. 

Log on to your account in the MyMENDAKI portal and

a. Go to “My Profile”, followed by “My Applications”. 

b. Scroll to your scheme applications and select your existing application. Do not start a new application. 

c. Click on the eye logo under the “Action” column. 

d. Refer to the message from the officer in your Timeline. 

e. “Add comments” to submit your pending documents. 

You need not reapply every year unless there are changes in your household income and you need to reapply for higher subsidy. 

MENDAKI will notify the institution of the approved students and the institution will invoice MENDAKI for the payment of tuition fees for every semester. 

For those who do not qualify for TTFS, there is a wide range of schemes that you can be tapped on. The Supplementary Assistance Loan Scheme (SAS) provides interest-free loans to students who are ineligible for the full TTFS, while the Special Malay Bursary (SMB) supplements the living allowances of deserving Malay tertiary students. 

Non-Malay Muslim students are eligible to apply for all other financial assistance schemes under MENDAKI if they meet the selection criteria (e.g. income level, academic achievements, etc). These include interest-free Study Loan Schemes, scholarships/bursaries (for polytechnic & university), and donors’ scholarships/bursaries and MENDAKI Youth Promise Award. For more information on these schemes, please refer to MyMENDAKI portal.

No. Only students of race Malay or Indonesian Descent as the first component race are eligible. 

You can apply for our interest-free loan for up to 80% of the tuition fees.

No. TTFS is only eligible for first diploma or degree.  

Yes. You need to make a fresh application with latest supporting documents.

Register an account via the MyMENDAKI portal. Your past applications can be viewed under “My Applications” tab.