Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme

Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2024/25

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. MUSSS comprises two components: “means-tested subsidy” and “non-means-tested subsidy”.

The subsidy is granted on a yearly basis, and the subsidised period is the normal duration of the undergraduate programme pursued by the student concerned in a designated Mainland institution. Eligible applicants can only receive either a means-tested subsidy or a non-means-tested subsidy in the same academic year. 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 2024/25 academic year:

(a) having right of abode^{Note (1)} 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^{Note (2)}; and

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 Education Bureau (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 from SFO and other relevant information in his/her application. In respect of eligibility and level of subsidy, 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 2024/25 for details).

“Non-means-tested subsidy”

Eligibility

Students meeting the following criteria may apply for the “non-means-tested subsidy” for the 2024/25 academic year:

(a)	having right of abode^{Note (1)} 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^{Note (2)};
(c)	pursuing undergraduate studies in any of the 197 designated Mainland institutions in the 2024/25 academic year; and
(d)(1)	attained “3322”^{Note (3)} or “332A” ^{Note (4)} in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE), i.e. attained Level 3 for Chinese Language and English Language, Level 2 for Mathematics, and Level 2 in Liberal Studies or “Attained” in Citizenship and Social Development; 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”.

Note:

(1)	A student who is expected to receive his/her right of abode within the 2024/25 academic year may also apply.
(2)	To also cover schools for Hong Kong children on the Mainland listed under the HKDSE Participating School List published by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority. For the 2024/25 academic year, HKDSE graduates from Shenzhen Hong Kong Pui Kiu College Longhua Xinyi School and Affiliated School of JNU for Hong Kong and Macao Students are eligible to apply provided that they also fulfill other criteria listed under “Eligibility” of MUSSS.
(3)	Applicable to HKDSE results obtained on or before 2023.
(4)	Citizenship and Social Development subject replaced the original Liberal Studies subject in the 2024 HKDSE. The scoring criteria for the Citizenship and Social Development subject is “Attained” and “Not Attained”, with “A” representing “Attained”. The HKDSE results obtained in 2024 or later have been revised to “332A”.

Amount of Subsidy

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 three categories, category (I) for distances less than 450 km, category (II) for distances between 450 km and 1 000 km as well as category (III) for distances over 1 000 km. Details of the subsidy rates under the different categories will be announced later.

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” (https://www.iamsmart.gov.hk/en/reg.html) to make online submission more convenient.

Application by post:

Education Bureau,

P.O. Box No. 44072,

Shau Kei Wan 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 13 September 2024.

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 2024/25 academic year. They are required to submit their renewal applications on or before 13 September 2024.

Announcement of results

EDB is expected to notify applicants of the application results by the first quarter of 2025.

Enquiry

Enquiries should be directed to 2827 1112 or musss@edb.gov.hk. For enquiries related to means test, please contact SFO at 3622 3775.

Application Forms and Guidance Notes for Downloading

	Forms	Note	Download
M1	Application Form for Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2024/25	(i) & (iv)	PDF
M2	Means Test Assessment Form for Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2024/25 (for application for “means-tested subsidy” only)	(ii), (iii) & (iv)	PDF
M3	Guidance Notes on Application for Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2024/25		PDF
M4	Notification of Changes in Personal Particulars	(iv)	PDF
M5	Cover for supplementary documents/information	(iv)	PDF
R1	Declaration Form for “Means-tested Subsidy” Renewal for Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2024/25	(iv)	PDF
R2	Declaration Form for “Non-means-tested Subsidy” Renewal for Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2024/25	(iv)	PDF
R3	Notification of Ceasing to Receive Subsidy for Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2024/25	(iv)	PDF
	List of designated Mainland institutions under Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme 2024/25		PDF
	Electronic Application FAQs		PDF

Note:

(i)	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.

(ii)	If the family of the student applying for the “means-tested subsidy” has submitted the Household Application for Student Financial Assistance Schemes for the 2024/25 academic year to SFO, EDB will consider the eligibility of the applicant and the amount of subsidy to be granted under MUSSS 2024/25 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 EDB. Completion and submission of the Means Test Assessment Form (M2) are not required.

(iii)	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 2024/25 academic year to 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 EDB for SFO to conduct the means test.

(iv)	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 EDB by post with sufficient postage. Insufficient postage will lead to non-delivery of the application forms, in which case 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.