SMU Access Plus: Helping Students Rise Above Circumstances Through Enhanced Financial Support
The new SMU Access Plus offers greater financial assistance to more students in need in the form of a bond-free financial aid package that covers 100% of tuition fees for eligible Singaporean undergraduates, after factoring in scholarships, bursaries and grants from all donors and the Singapore government, plus living allowances and global experience grants. This enhanced financial support reflects the University’s ongoing commitment to making its world-class education accessible to all.
Education is the key to unlocking a bright future, and no student should ever feel held back by financial challenges when it comes to pursuing this important journey.
At SMU, we’re all about breaking barriers and helping you reach your potential by fostering a community of independent, lifelong learners ready to make an impact.
To further this mission, the University is introducing SMU Access Plus, an enhanced financial assistance programme designed to support even more students in need. This is the University's most generous financial assistance scheme to-date, and reflects SMU's ongoing commitment to making its world-class education accessible to all students, regardless of their financial circumstances.
SMU’s most comprehensive and generous financial aid programme to date
With SMU Access Plus, the university is taking financial support to the next level. This enhanced programme guarantees a bond-free financial aid package that covers 100% of tuition fees for eligible Singaporean undergraduates, after factoring in scholarships, bursaries and grants from all donors and the Singapore government, plus living allowances and global experience grants.
- For Singaporean students with a Per Capita Income (PCI) of $1,100 or lower, SMU Access Plus will cover their tuition fees.
- For Singaporean students with a PCI of $750 or lower, SMU Access Plus not only covers their tuition fees but also further eases the burden with an additional $4,000 annual living allowance. This allowance is designed to support students and their families in managing the cost of living while pursuing a world-class education at SMU.
- Last but certainly not least, all students with a PCI of $2,500 or lower, regardless of nationality, will also receive a Global Experience Grant of $4,000 over 4 years, starting from Academic Year 2026. This is in line with SMU’s focus on global experience and developing our students into globally-minded graduates.
There are no caps or quotas on the number of SMU Access Plus recipients every year, no additional interviews required, no bond, and no minimum GPA criteria to maintain during the student’s time at SMU. So spread the good news with family and friends so that as many students can benefit from SMU Access Plus as possible!
SMU’s commitment to accessible education
As SMU celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2025, it’s a perfect time to look back on its incredible growth and evolution. The university is more committed than ever to making quality education accessible to everyone, no matter their financial background, as part of its goal to increase impact and help students succeed.
Linette Lim, Director of Admissions and Financial Assistance at SMU, says: “The introduction of SMU Access Plus will ensure that many more students will be able to benefit from a world-class education at SMU, regardless of their financial circumstances. After all, this is the SMU Promise: no deserving student will be denied an education with us because of financial difficulties.
“Our aim is to empower all students to fully focus on their academic journey and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.”
The impact of SMU's financial assistance support has been transformative for many students, demonstrating how financial assistance can truly change lives. One such student is Janice Sui from SMU’s School of Accountancy, who shared how daily expenses such as transport and meals were major concerns for her as a full-time student. This is where the upcoming addition of an annual living allowance offered under SMU Access Plus will provide much-needed relief, helping students like Janice manage their day-to-day expenses as they focus on their education.
As SMU looks to the future, it’s focused on developing the next generation of leaders, innovators, and global citizens – making sure your future is brighter than ever. Join us now!
Learn more about SMU Access Plus here.
