Student Care Fee Assistance 2026 in Singapore : Eligibility, Subsidy Amount and How Parents Can Apply

Raising children while managing work responsibilities can be challenging for many families. In Singapore, the government provides financial support to help working parents cover after-school care costs through the Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA) scheme.

The SCFA programme provides subsidies for children attending approved Student Care Centres (SCCs). It is specifically designed to support lower-income working families so that their children can receive proper after-school supervision and educational support. 0

In 2026, thousands of families across Singapore continue to benefit from this subsidy programme, which can reduce monthly student care fees significantly.

What Is the Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA) Scheme?

The Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA) scheme is a government initiative managed by Singapore’s Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). It provides financial subsidies to families whose children attend registered student care centres.

The aim of the scheme is to ensure that children from lower-income households still have access to quality after-school care and structured activities while their parents are working.

Main Objectives of SCFA

• Support working parents with after-school childcare costs
• Ensure children have a safe learning environment after school
• Encourage affordable student care services
• Provide financial assistance to lower-income families

Student Care Fee Assistance Subsidy Amount

The amount of subsidy under the SCFA programme depends on the family’s household income and the fees charged by the student care centre.

Eligible families may receive subsidies covering up to 98% of the student care fees, capped at about S$290 per month. 1

Gross Household Income	Subsidy Percentage	Maximum Monthly Subsidy
≤ S$1,500	98%	Up to S$290
S$1,501 – S$2,000	95%	Up to S$280
S$2,001 – S$2,200	90%	Up to S$266
S$2,401 – S$2,600	80%	Up to S$236
S$2,801 – S$3,000	60%	Up to S$177
S$3,501 – S$4,000	30%	Up to S$89

The subsidy amount is deducted directly from the monthly student care centre fees after approval. 2

Additional Financial Support

Besides monthly subsidies, eligible families may also receive a one-off start-up grant of up to S$400. This grant helps parents cover enrolment costs such as registration fees or deposits when their child first joins a student care centre. 3

With these subsidies, some families may pay only a small portion of the total fees.

Eligibility Criteria for SCFA 2026

To qualify for Student Care Fee Assistance in Singapore, families must meet several eligibility conditions set by the Ministry of Social and Family Development.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

• The child must be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident
• If the child is a PR, at least one immediate family member must be a Singapore Citizen
• The child must be attending an MSF-registered Student Care Centre
• Both parents must work at least 56 hours per month
• The child should generally be between 7 and 14 years old

These conditions ensure the subsidy supports working families who need after-school childcare services. 4

Income Requirements for SCFA

Eligibility is also based on household income. Families must meet one of the following income thresholds:

• Gross Household Income (HHI): S$4,500 or less for families with four or fewer members
• Per Capita Income (PCI): S$1,125 or less for households with five or more members

These limits ensure that the subsidy primarily supports lower-income households. 5

Recent government announcements have also indicated that income ceilings for student care subsidies will be increased in the future to benefit more families. 6

How Parents Can Apply for Student Care Fee Assistance

Applying for the SCFA subsidy is usually straightforward and handled through the student care centre.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Enrol your child in an MSF-approved Student Care Centre.
2. Request the SCFA application form from the centre.
3. Submit required documents such as income proof.
4. The centre submits the application to MSF.
5. Once approved, the subsidy is applied directly to the monthly fees.

Applications can often be submitted up to six months before enrolment, allowing families to secure financial support in advance. 7

Documents Required for Application

Parents typically need to submit the following documents during the SCFA application process:

• Parents’ NRIC copies
• Child’s birth certificate
• Latest payslips or CPF contribution statements
• Proof of employment
• Household income declaration

The student care centre usually assists parents with document verification and submission.

Benefits of the Student Care Fee Assistance Programme

The SCFA programme provides several important benefits for families and children in Singapore.

• Reduces the cost of after-school care
• Supports working parents with childcare needs
• Ensures children receive supervision and structured activities
• Improves access to educational support programmes
• Helps lower-income families manage household expenses

In some cases, families can save thousands of dollars per year on student care fees through this subsidy programme.

Conclusion

The Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA) 2026 programme continues to play an important role in helping lower-income families in Singapore afford after-school care services.

With monthly subsidies covering up to 98% of student care fees and additional support for enrolment costs, the scheme ensures that children have access to a safe and supportive environment after school while their parents work.

Parents who believe they may qualify should contact their child’s student care centre or check the official eligibility guidelines to start the application process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the maximum subsidy under SCFA?

Eligible families may receive up to about S$290 per month in student care subsidies depending on household income.

2. Who can apply for Student Care Fee Assistance?

Working parents with lower household incomes whose children attend MSF-approved student care centres may apply.

3. Is SCFA only for Singapore citizens?

Singapore citizens automatically qualify if other criteria are met, while Permanent Resident children may qualify if a family member is a citizen.

4. Do both parents need to be employed?

Yes, generally both parents must work at least 56 hours per month to qualify for the subsidy.

5. How long does SCFA approval take?

Most applications are processed within a few weeks once all documents have been submitted.

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