Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme

Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2022/23

Introduction

The Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme (MUSSS) aims to support Hong Kong students in pursuing undergraduate studies on 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 subsidy 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 2022/23 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

*A student who is expected to receive his/her right of abode within the 2022/23 academic year may also apply.

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 2022/23 for details).

“Non-means-tested subsidy”

Eligibility

Students meeting the following criteria may apply for the “non-means-tested subsidy” for the 2022/23 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 191 designated Mainland institutions in the 2022/23 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.

*A student who is expected to receive his/her right of abode within the 2022/23 academic year may also apply.

Amount of Subsidy

The Government has refined the formula for calculating the subsidy amounts under the Scheme and increased the subsidy amounts. The new subsidy levels will be implemented starting from the 2022/23 academic year. The means-tested subsidy and the non-means-tested subsidy will be disbursed to eligible students based on the distance between the location of their institutions and Hong Kong, which will be grouped under the following three categories:

Type of Subsidy		Category
		I	II	III
		Distance between the location of institutions and Hong Kong
		Less than 450 km	Between 450 km and 1 000 km	Above 1 000 km
		HK$	HK$	HK$
Means-tested	Full rate	17,700	18,400	19,400
Means-tested	Half rate	8,900	9,200	9,700
Non-means-tested		5,900	6,200	6,500

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.

MUSSS 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 MUSSS Electronic Application Platform or send the completed application forms and supporting documents by post to EDB on or before 30 September 2022.

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 will be individually informed of the procedure if they wish to apply for subsidy in the 2022/23 academic year. They are required to submit their renewal applications before 30 September 2022.

Announcement of results

EDB is expected to notify applicants of the application results by the first quarter of 2023.

Enquiry

Enquiries should be directed to 2827 1112 or musss@edb.gov.hk. For enquiries related to means test, 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 2022/23	(1) & (4)	[deleted]
M2	Means Test Assessment Form for Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2022/23 (for application for “means-tested subsidy” only)	(2), (3) & (4)	[deleted]
M3	Guidance Notes on Application for Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2022/23		PDF
M4	Notification of Changes in Personal Particulars	(4)	PDF
M5	Cover for supplementary documents/information	(4)	PDF
R1	Declaration Form for “Means-tested Subsidy” Renewal for Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2022/23	(4)	[deleted]
R2	Declaration Form for “Non-means-tested Subsidy” Renewal for Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2022/23	(4)	[deleted]
R3	Notification of Ceasing to Receive Subsidy for Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2022/23	(4)	[deleted]
	List of designated Mainland institutions under Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2022/23 (Updated in November 2022)		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 2022/23 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 2022/23 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 2022/23 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 relevant application form(s) has/have been duly completed and signed. The form(s) together with copies of the required supporting documents (if applicable) 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.