Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme

Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2021/22

Introduction

The Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme (MUSSS) aims to support Hong Kong students in pursuing undergraduate studies in the Mainland and ensure that no students will be deprived of post-secondary education opportunity due to a lack of means. The MUSSS comprises two components: “means-tested subsidy” and “non-means-tested subsidy”.

The subsidised period is the normal duration of the undergraduate programme pursued by the student concerned in a designated Mainland institution, and the subidy is granted on a yearly basis. Eligible applicants can only receive either a means-tested subsidy or a non-means-tested subsidy in a given academic year. The MUSSS is not subject to any quota.

“Means-tested subsidy”

Eligibility

Students meeting the following criteria may apply for the “means-tested subsidy” for the 2021/22 academic year:

(a) having right of abode or right to land in, or have entered Hong Kong on One-way Permits;

(b) having received and completed senior secondary education in Hong Kong; and

Amount of Subsidy

Students who pass a means test will receive either a full-rate subsidy of HK$16,800 or half-rate subsidy of HK$8,400 per student per year, depending on their needs.

Means Test (including Assessment of Eligibility and Level of Subsidy)

The Student Finance Office (SFO) under the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency assists the EDB in conducting the means test for the family of student applying for “means-tested subsidy”. EDB will determine the eligibility of the student applying for “means-tested subsidy” on the basis of the assessment results and other relevant information in his/her application. In respect of eligibility and level of subsidy, the SFO will use the “Adjusted Family Income” (AFI) mechanism as the means test to assess the eligibility and level of subsidy of a student applying for “means-tested subsidy” (please refer to Guidance Notes on Application for Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2021/22 for details).

“Non-means-tested subsidy”

Eligibility

Students meeting the following criteria may apply for the “non-means-tested subsidy” for the 2021/22 academic year:

(a)	having right of abode or right to land in, or have entered Hong Kong on One-way Permits;
(b)	having received and completed senior secondary education in Hong Kong;
(c)	pursuing undergraduate studies in any of the 189 designated Mainland institutions in the 2021/22 academic year; and
(d)(1)	attained “3322” in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination, i.e. attained Level 3 for Chinese Language and English Language and Level 2 for Mathematics and Liberal Studies; OR
(d)(2)	pursuing studies in Huaqiao University through “Pilot Scheme on the Articulation of Hong Kong Sub-degree Graduates to Huaqiao University”; OR
(d)(3)	admitted to a Mainland institution through the School Principal Nomination Scheme under the Scheme for Admission of Hong Kong Students to Mainland Higher Education Institutions.

Amount of Subsidy

Eligible students will receive a flat rate subsidy of $5,600 per annum.

Application Procedures

Students may submit applications through the MUSSS Electronic Application Platform or by post. We encourage students to apply through electronic means to facilitate submissions.

Electronic Application Platform https://musss.edb.gov.hk/

Please refer to the Electronic Application FAQs for questions regarding electronic application. Applicants may also apply to use “iAM Smart” (www.iamsmart.gov.hk/en/reg.html) to make online submission more convenient.

Application by post:

Education Bureau,
P.O. Box No. 23448,

Wan Chai Post Office

(please specify “Application for MUSSS”)

New Applications

New applicants must submit their applications via the electronic platform or send the completed application forms and supporting documents by post to EDB on or before 18 October 2021.

The Application Form, Means Test Assessment Form and Guidance Notes are available below or at SFO’s website (http://www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/sfo/en/forms/listing3.htm).

Renewal Applications

Applicants applying for subsidy renewal have been individually informed in July 2021 of the procedure if they wish to apply for subsidy in the 2021/22 academic year. They are required to submit their renewal applications before 31 August 2021.

Announcement of results

EDB will notify applicants of the application results by the first quarter of 2022.

Enquiry

Enquiries should be directed to 2827 1112 or musss@edb.gov.hk. For enquiries related to means test of “means-tested subsidy”, please contact the SFO at 3622 3775.

Application Forms and Guidance Notes for Downloading

	Forms	Note	Download
M1	Application Form for Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2021/22	(1)	[deleted]
M2	Means Test Assessment Form for Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2021/22 (for application for “means-tested subsidy” only)	(2) & (3)	[deleted]
M3	Guidance Notes on Application for Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2021/22		PDF
M4	Notification of Changes in Personal Particulars		PDF
M5	Cover for supplementary documents/information		PDF
	189 designated Mainland institutions under Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2021/22		PDF
	Electronic Application FAQs		PDF

Note:

(1)	Students aged 18 or above shall be deemed as the applicant. For students aged under 18, their father/mother/guardian shall act as the applicant.

(2)	If the family of the student applying for the “means-tested subsidy” has submitted the Household Application for Student Financial Assistance Schemes for the 2021/22 academic year to the SFO, the EDB will consider the eligibility of the applicant and the amount of subsidy to be granted under the MUSSS 2021/22 based on the assessment result of his/her family’s eligibility in the Household Application. The applicant only has to submit the completed and signed application form (M1) together with copies of the required supporting documents specified in the application form to the EDB. Completion and submission of the Means Test Assessment Form (M2) are not required.

(3)	If the family of the student applying for the “means-tested subsidy” has not submitted the Household Application for Student Financial Assistance Schemes for the 2021/22 academic year to the SFO, the applicant should submit the completed application form (M1) and Means Test Assessment Form (M2) together with copies of the required supporting documents to the EDB by post for the SFO to conduct the means test.

(4)	Before submitting the application, please check carefully that the application form (M1) and/or the Means Test Assessment Form (M2) (if applicable) has/have been duly completed and signed. The form(s) together with copies of the required supporting documents should be sent to the EDB by post with sufficient postage. Insufficient postage will lead to non-delivery of the application forms, in which case the EDB will not be able to process the application. Applicants should write their correspondence address at the back of the addressed envelope to avoid wrong / unsuccessful delivery.