Tertiary Student Finance Scheme - Publicly-funded Programmes (TSFS)

1.  Hostel Subsidy for Eligible Undergraduate Students

- Maximum level of assistance

- Eligibility 

2.  Additional Academic Expenses Grant for Students with Special Educational Needs

- Maximum level of assistance

- Eligibility 

3.  Working Family Allowance Scheme (WFA)

4.  Expediting the processing of applications from post-secondary students whose families are in receipt of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA)

For details of the TSFS, please visit Student Finance Office (SFO)'s homepage at www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/sfo/en/postsecondary/tsfs/overview.htm.

SFO YouTube Channel for introduction of TSFS

For enquiries (e.g. check progress of your application), you may wish to contact the government SFO:

Address : TSFS Application Processing Unit, 11/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon (near Exit C1 of Shamshuipo MTR station)

Office hours : Please refer to SFO’s updated service arrangements posted on its webpage

24-hour automated enquiry hotline : 2802 2345

TSFS enquiry number during office hours : 2152 9000

TSFS fax number : 2519 8512

E-mail address : wg_sfo@wfsfaa.gov.hk

Depending on your financial circumstances, you may be eligible for a grant and/or loan ranged from 0% to 100% of the maximum grant/loan.

The maximum grant for PolyU students is derived from the tuition fee and academic expenses. It thus varies according to the course of studies pursued. On the other hand, the maximum loan is the same for all students and is intended to help towards students' living expenses.

As to what percentage of the maximum grant/loan an applicant may obtain, it is calculated according to a two-tier means-testing mechanism.

In the first tier (i.e. the income test), an Adjusted Family Income (AFI) is derived for the applicant by the following formula:

(For single-parent families of 2 to 3 members, the "plus 1 factor" will be increased to 2)

The AFI will then be applied to a Ready Reckoner that sets out the percentage of the maximum amount of grant/loan in relation to each AFI group.

The amount of grant/loan derived from the income test will then be subject to the second tier asset test (i.e. the asset test), which involves an adjustment in accordance with the Asset Sliding Scale.

If you wish to obtain a rough estimate of the amount of assistance that you may receive, you may use the "Financial Calculator" on the "SFO E-link" for reference.

For PolyU students, the level of grant and loan is calculated depending on the family's financial circumstances of the student's family (basically it is subject to student's Adjusted Family Income (AFI) and family asset level), the tuition fees payable and the discipline the student is studying. You may refer to the Maximum Grant and Loan Levels for PolyU students in 2023/24 for reference. The information for 2024/25 will be updated in July 2024.

For details of "Level of Financial Assistance" grouped under the TSFS result, please refer to SFO's webpage.

• Starting from 18 Apr 2024, eligible applicants can submit electronic application for the 2024/25 “Tertiary Student Finance Scheme – Publicly-funded Programmes (TSFS)” via the online platform “SFO E-link – My Applications” (ess.wfsfaa.gov.hk).
  • How to Apply
  • Application Procedures
  • TSFS Online demonstration and related documents can be found on this platform.
  • The following important documents related to TSFS can be downloaded from the SFO webpage: www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/sfo/en/postsecondary/tsfs/application/forms.htm.

  (1) "Guidance Notes" (TSFS/1B(2024)) / "申請指引" (TSFS/1A(2024))

  (2) "Quick Reference for Completing Application Forms" / "填寫申請書參考指南"

  (3) "Illustration of Reporting Income & Assets" (TSFS/FASP/2B(2024)) / "填報家庭收入及資產範例" (TSFS/FASP/2A(2024))
  

  (4) "The Checklist on Documentary Proofs Required" / "證明文件清單" (TSFS/RM(2024))

  (5) "Provision of Complete Information and Supporting Documents" / "申報完整資料和提交完備證明文件"

  (6) "Common Mistakes in Completing Application Forms" / "填寫申請書時常見的錯誤''
  

• Once the online application is submitted, no online amendments will be allowed. All subsequent amendments should be made in writing to the SFO.
• After submitting online application form, you must submit the signed Declaration (in writing or signed by "iAM Smart+") with copies of supporting documents (e.g. copies of income proof and bank accounts showing all transactions in the last financial year) within 7 days from submission of application.

(1) For local full-time government-funded students of taught programmes admitted in 2023/24 or before

• Official deadline: 24 May 2024 (Friday)

• Late submission after the official deadline

"SFO E-link - My applications" (ess.wfsfaa.gov.hk) platform is open for online application until 31 Dec 2024 (tentative). The online application forms will be removed and no online applications for the TSFS can be made after the said date. If you wish to apply for the TSFS, you should complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

(2) For new local full-time government-funded students of taught programmes admitted in 2024/25

      Application deadline is around Sept 2024.  Please watch out for update in Jul 2024.

(3) For local full-time government-funded research students

• Starting from 2018/19 academic year, the Government has provided tuition waiver for all local students enrolled in UGC-funded Research Postgraduate (RPg) programmes (https://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/tws.html). All local students enrolled in UGC-funded RPg programmes are provided with tuition waiver. Therefore, please note that eligible students who pass the means-test under TSFS will only be offered the academic expense grant and living expense loan, if any.

• Official deadline: 24 May 2024 (Friday)

• Late submission after the official deadline

"SFO E-link - My applications" (ess.wfsfaa.gov.hk) platform is open for online application until 31 Dec 2024 (tentative). The online application forms will be removed and no online applications for the TSFS can be made after the said date. If you wish to apply for the TSFS, you should complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

After submitting online application form, you must submit the signed Declaration (in writing or signed by "iAM Smart+") with copies of supporting documents (e.g. copies of income proof and bank accounts showing all transactions in the last financial year) within 7 days from submission of application by one of the following methods: