Financial help for primary school, fully explained
Primary school in Singapore is already close to free for Citizens, and if money is tight there is a well-built safety net that many eligible families never claim. Here is who qualifies, what you actually get, and how to apply.
Last reviewed against official sources: 5 July 2026
The one scheme to know: MOE FAS
The MOE Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) is the main government scheme for Singapore Citizen students in government and government-aided schools. It exists so that no child misses out on school because of family finances, and at primary level it is generous enough that a qualifying family pays essentially nothing for the school side of life.
Who qualifies (from January 2026)
Your child must be a Singapore Citizen in a government or government-aided school, and your family must meet either of these:
- Gross household income (GHI) of S$4,000/month or less, that's everyone's income before deductions, added together, or
- Per-capita income (PCI) of S$1,000/month or less, household income divided by everyone living at the address, including children and non-working members.
The per-capita route matters for bigger households: a family earning S$5,500 with two parents, a grandparent and three children has a PCI of about S$917, and qualifies. Families on ComCare are granted FAS automatically, with no application needed.
What FAS actually covers at primary level
School & miscellaneous fees
Fully waived. For a Singapore Citizen child that means the ~S$13/month standard miscellaneous fee goes to zero.
Textbooks & workbooks
Everything on the school booklist is provided free, collected through the school bookshop.
School attire
Free school uniforms and PE attire, typically two sets for primary school students.
School bus
70% of the monthly school bus fare is covered if your child takes the school bus (raised from 65%).
Public transport
S$21 per month in transport credit if your child takes public transport instead (raised from S$17).
School meals
Subsidised meals during the school week, so recess doesn't strain the family budget.
How to apply
- Online is easiest: apply through the eFAS portal or via the 'Services' tab in Parents Gateway. Since 2026, MOE pulls household income data directly from government records (the HOMES system), so most families no longer need to submit payslips or income documents.
- Prefer paper? Collect a form from the school's general office (or download it from MOE) and hand it back to the school. Families with less straightforward income (rental, dividends, self-employment) may be asked for supporting documents.
- One form covers all your children in government and government-aided schools, submit through any one child's school.
- Apply any time. Applications are open year-round, so if your family's circumstances change mid-year, apply straight away rather than waiting for January.
Beyond FAS: the other help available
Edusave (automatic)
Every Singapore Citizen child gets about S$230/year credited in primary school, no application needed. It pays for enrichment programmes and helps offset the misc fee.
School-based assistance (SBFAS)
Just above the FAS income line? Schools hold separate discretionary funds for exactly this. Ask the general office, it is assessed case by case.
Opportunity Fund
Extra grants schools use to subsidise enrichment, camps and learning devices for lower-income students. Schools administer it, and students on FAS are the usual recipients, so ask the general office.
Self-help group bursaries
CDAC, MENDAKI and SINDA each run their own bursaries and tuition schemes with their own income criteria, and their help can often be received alongside FAS. Ask each group directly.
The self-help groups, in brief
Each community self-help group runs bursaries and subsidised tuition for primary school children, several with income ceilings above the FAS line, and their help can often be received alongside FAS:
- CDAC (Chinese community): bursaries and the CDAC tuition programme.
- MENDAKI (Malay/Muslim community): the MENDAKI Tuition Scheme and education grants.
- SINDA (Indian community): monthly bursaries and the STEP tuition programme.
Criteria and amounts are set by each group and revised often, check their sites for the current year's numbers.
Two more pieces of the picture live on our costs page: student care fee assistance (SCFA) for working families, and what a typical no-assistance budget looks like. Read The Real Costs for the full breakdown.
Common questions
What are the FAS income criteria for 2026? +
From January 2026, your family qualifies if gross monthly household income is S$4,000 or less, OR per-capita income (household income divided by number of household members) is S$1,000 or less. You only need to meet one of the two, and MOE applies whichever works in your favour. A larger family with income above S$4,000 can still qualify on the per-capita measure.
We're on ComCare. Do we need to apply for FAS separately? +
No. Families already receiving ComCare assistance from MSF are automatically granted MOE FAS, no separate application needed. Check with the school if the waivers haven't kicked in.
When can we apply, and how long does it take? +
Applications are open all year round, you don't have to wait for a new school year. Apply as soon as circumstances change (retrenchment, income drop). Schools typically process applications within a few weeks; ask the general office if you need interim help.
We have children in different schools. Do we apply at each one? +
No, one application covers all your children in government and government-aided schools. Submit it through any one child's school and that school will let you know the outcome for all of them.
Our income is slightly above the threshold. Is there any point asking? +
Yes. Schools run their own school-based financial assistance funds precisely for families just outside the FAS criteria, and the self-help groups (CDAC, MENDAKI, SINDA) run their own schemes, several with income ceilings above the FAS line. Speak to the school's general office honestly about your situation, that conversation is confidential and routine for them.
Does receiving FAS show up to other parents or affect my child at school? +
No. Assistance is handled discreetly between the school's administration and you. Textbooks and uniforms are collected through the same bookshop as everyone else, and classmates are none the wiser.
Find your child's group
Every cohort has its own WhatsApp group of parents going through the exact same year, real-time registration updates, school reviews, balloting news and honest answers from people one step ahead of you. Pick the year your child starts Primary 1.
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