The Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme (HKSES) is now open for applications from eligible Hong Kong students who intend to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate studies at world-renowned universities outside Hong Kong starting from the 2026/27 academic year.BackgroundAs a merit-based scheme targeting the most outstanding Hong Kong students, the HKSES seeks to cultivate a cadre of brilliant young achievers with a sense of social responsibility and national identity, an affection for Hong Kong and an international perspective, who will return home after receiving a world-class education supported by the scholarship to enrich Hong Kong's talent pool and competitiveness in the long run. Selection will be based on candidates' academic achievements and other attributes such as leadership qualities and potential as well as their contributions and commitment to society. Awardees are required to complete their specific study programmes and undertake to return to Hong Kong upon graduation to work for at least two years or a period equivalent to the duration of the scholarship received, whichever is longer.EligibilityTo be eligible for the HKSES, applicants are required to meet the following two criteria –(i) have right of abode or right to land, or have entered Hong Kong on One-way Permits; and(ii) have resided in Hong Kong continuously for three complete years immediately prior to the commencement of the academic programme outside Hong Kong.In other words, students entering Hong Kong on student or dependant visas will not be eligible for the HKSES. Besides, if an applicant is engaged in full-time education or employment outside Hong Kong anytime during the three-year period immediately prior to the commencement of the academic programme outside Hong Kong, he/she will not be considered as having met the residency requirement set out in (ii) above.For undergraduate programmes, only students receiving/received their formal school education in Hong Kong are eligible. This would cover all Hong Kong students who receive/received senior secondary education in Hong Kong, including those studying/studied local (e.g. Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education) and non-local (e.g. International Baccalaureate) curricula in Hong Kong.For postgraduate programmes which may cover those of master’s and doctoral degrees or equivalent levels, students who have obtained their undergraduate qualifications either in or outside Hong Kong are eligible, provided that they meet the criteria set out in (i) & (ii) above.Scholarship and BursaryAwardees will receive a non-means-tested scholarship to cover their tuition fees, subject to a ceiling of $300,000 per annum. In addition, the HKSES will provide additional support to financially needy awardees during their studies. Awardees who have passed the means test will receive a bursary of up to $200,000 per student per annum to cover their living and study-related expenses. The value of the award will be correspondingly reduced if an awardee also receives other awards, both locally and abroad, or assistance to finance his or her same studies overseas.Other SupportApart from the monetary scholarship, the value of the HKSES also lies in its prestige and recognition as well as other non-monetary benefits. Awardees will receive a series of support and mentorship services to be rendered by the Government and other sectors of the community.Application DeadlineEligible students who intend to apply for the HKSES 2026/27 are welcome to submit their applications through the online application system on or before December 31, 2025 (6pm).請參閱教育局的香港卓越獎學金計劃網站了解更多。

After completing the HKDSE, do you wish to pursue further studies but hesitate due to financial constraints? Here are some student financial assistance schemes, which would possibly meet your needs -Local Education SubsidiesFor students pursuing higher education locally, the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency offers various subsidy schemes. You can also use the "SFO E-link" calculator tool to estimate the possible subsidy amounts under different schemes.1. Tertiary Student Finance Scheme - Publicly-funded Programmes (TSFS) - provides means-tested financial assistance in the form of grant and/or loan to eligible full-time students taking up an exclusively publicly-funded student place of a recognised post-secondary programme.2. Non-means-tested Loan Scheme for Full-time Tertiary Students (NLSFT) - complements the Tertiary Student Finance Scheme – Publicly-funded Programmes (TSFS) to provide loans to eligible students to settle tuition fees of recognised full-time study courses.3. Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students (FASP) - provides means-tested financial assistance in form of grant and/or loan to eligible full-time students pursuing locally-accredited, self-financing post-secondary education programmes at the level of associate degree, higher diploma or bachelor’s degree.4. Non-means-tested Loan Scheme for Post-secondary Students (NLSPS) - complements the Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students (FASP) to provide loans to eligible students to settle tuition fees of locally-accredited, self-financing full-time programmes at the level of associate degree, higher diploma or degree.5. Extended Non-means-tested Loan Scheme (ENLS) - provides loans to eligible students to settle tuition fees of specific post-secondary/continuing and professional education courses studied in Hong Kong.6. Student Travel Subsidy (STS) for Tertiary or Post-secondary Students - provides travel subsidy to eligible students (residing more than 10 minutes’ walking distance away from their schools; and who need to travel to school by public transport) attending a full-time day course up to first degree level in an acceptable institution. Local Continuing Education SubsidiesThe Government provides different subsidy schemes to help young people pursue lifelong learning -1. Continuing Education Fund (CEF) - subsidises adults aged 18 or above to pursue continuing education and training. Eligible applicants may submit unlimited number of claims for reimbursement of fees up to a maximum sum of HK$25,000 within one year upon successful completion of CEF reimbursable courses.2. Financial Assistance Scheme for Designated Evening Adult Education Courses (FAEAEC) - provides eligible students with financial assistance in the form of tuition fee reimbursement. Students who fulfill the prescribed criteria can obtain 30%, 50% or 100% reimbursement of the tuition fees paid after the end of each school term.3. Diploma of Applied Education (DAE) / Diploma Yi Jin (DYJ) Tuition Fee Reimbursement - provides students with financial assistance in the form of tuition fee reimbursement. Students who fulfill the prescribed eligibility criteria can obtain 30%, 50% or 100% reimbursement of the actual tuition fees paid after the end of each school year.Subsidies for Studying in the MainlandFor students wishing to study in the Mainland, the Education Bureau's "Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme (MUSSS)" might help. This Scheme 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”, while eligible applicants can only receive either one subsidy in the same academic year. 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. MUSSS is not subject to any quota.Additionally, Mainland universities offer scholarships, grants, and tuition waivers. You might check with individual universities.Scholarships & GrantsYou can also use the Scholarship & Grants Search Tool to explore scholarships and grants available for studying in Hong Kong, the Mainland, or overseas. Source:Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency - Student FinanceEducation Bureau - Scholarship & Grants Search Tool