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The Government announced today (July 31) details of the Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme (MUSSS). Hong Kong students who have been admitted to the first year of undergraduate programmes of Mainland higher education institutions under this year's Scheme for Admission of Hong Kong Students to Mainland Higher Education Institutions (Admission Scheme) may submit their applications for subsidy from tomorrow (August 1) until August 29.
In his 2014 Policy Address, the Chief Executive announced a series of initiatives in a bid to provide senior secondary graduates with broader and more diversified further study pathways both in and outside Hong Kong. These include the introduction of the MUSSS starting from the 2014/15 academic year to support Hong Kong students in need who will pursue undergraduate studies on the Mainland under the Admission Scheme. Under the MUSSS, students who pass a means test will receive either a full-rate subsidy of $15,000 or half-rate subsidy of $7,500 per student per year, depending on their needs.
A spokesman for the Education Bureau (EDB) said, "In determining the amount of subsidy, we have taken into account the study-related expenses in the Mainland institutions including those for tuition fees, hostel fees, insurance, communications, travel and other living expenses."
The MUSSS will benefit three cohorts of students starting from the 2014/15 academic year (i.e. those entering the first year of undergraduate studies in the 2014/15, 2015/16 and 2016/17 academic years) and then its effectiveness will be reviewed by the Government.
"The Admission Scheme is the only government-to-government initiative for local students to pursue further education outside Hong Kong. The admission criteria and list of participating institutions have been formulated with a view to safeguarding quality and the interests of Hong Kong students. The Admission Scheme will exempt participating Hong Kong students from the Joint Entrance Examination for Universities in the Mainland, hence saving students' time and effort on other university admission examinations, so that they can concentrate on their preparation for the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination. This is also in line with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's policy objective of promoting the HKDSE Examination as the primary channel for progressing to further study in and outside Hong Kong," the EDB spokesman added.
Details of the MUSSS and the application form are available at the EDB website (www.edb.gov.hk/musss14). Students who wish to apply for the subsidy are required to submit the completed application form by post to the EDB on or before August 29. The EDB will notify individual applicants of the application result by December this year.
Ends/Thursday, July 31, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:37
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