Students enrolled in the following programmes are eligible to apply for the TFL:

• Graduate Research programmes
• Full-time government-subsidised Graduate Coursework programmes, including programmes conducted by the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, Duke-NUS Medical School and Institute of Systems Science.

The following categories of graduate students are not eligible to apply for the TFL:

• Students in government-subsidised programmes who are not in receipt of MOE subsidy:
  • Students who are not eligible for MOE subsidy
  • International Students who are not on Service Obligation (SO) Scheme
• Holders of Scholarship/Fellowship/Tuition Fee Allowance
• MOE Scholarship/Bursary holders
• PSC Scholarship/Bursary holders
• SAF Awards holders
• Part-time Graduate Coursework students
• Students in self-funded programmes

• Interest Rate and Late Payment Charges
  • Interest will commence after graduation.
  • For more information on the applicable interest rates and the late payment interest for overdue and unpaid loans/loan instalment per month, please visit DBS and OCBC website respectively.

• Repayment
  • Repayment can be made in a single lump sum or through fixed equal monthly instalments (minimum of S$100 per month), beginning no later than two (2) years after graduation.
  • The maximum repayment period is 20 years.
  • If the borrower withdraws from the University without completing the graduate programme, the outstanding loan will become immediately due and payable. However, the borrower may be permitted to repay the outstanding amount in monthly instalments, subject to terms and conditions determined by the University based on the specific circumstances of the case.
  • Early repayment of the loan, either in full or in part, is allowed with at least seven (7) working days’ written notice. Partial repayments must be made in increments of S$1,000.
  • Students may use their PSEA balance for loan repayment after they have graduated. To apply and find out more about the scheme, refer to this link. The PSEA application form should be submitted directly to MOE.

• Guarantor
  • One guarantor is required.
  • Guarantor must be between 21 to 60 years o­f age (based on guarantor’s age at the point of application) and must not be an undischarged bankrupt.
  • No minimal income required.
  • Applicants who are Singapore Citizen must provide guarantors who are Singapore Citizen.

The University has appointed the following banks as agents to administer the TFL scheme.

• DBS Bank
• OCBC Bank

Applicants must provide their Student ID (e.g. A0123456Z) on the TFL application form; otherwise, the banks will reject the application. Prospective students should apply for the TFL only after obtaining their Student ID.

Students who have successfully applied for TFL and subsequently:

• awarded scholarships or any other awards may no longer need TFL disbursements for their tuition fees. These students must inform the TFL-administering bank at any branch to cancel or terminate their TFL. For TFL suspension only, students can notify either the TFL-administering bank or the Office of Finance by submitting a ticket in NUService Hub, under “Loans”.
• change their degree programme, resulting in different tuition fees, must inform the TFL-administering bank of their programme change to ensure their records are updated accordingly.
• transferred to NUS from another local university must submit a new TFL application if they wish to apply for the loan for their graduate degree programme at NUS.

TFL with DBS

Applicants can now submit TFL application to DBS online, eliminating the need to visit a branch to submit hardcopy forms. Please note that hardcopy applications will no longer be accepted at any DBS Bank branches. Kindly review this guide to understand what you need to prepare in advance for submitting your TFL application online.

To apply for TFL with DBS, visit the website and follow the instructions in the “Apply Now” section.

Important Note:

The digital TFL application is only available for applicants with Guarantors who are Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, or foreigners who are pass holders and residing or working in Singapore. If your Guarantor does not reside or work locally, please refer to the guide for more information on how to apply for your TFL.

For any further inquiries regarding the TFL scheme, please contact:

DBS Bank Customer Service Hotline

1800 111 1111

(+65) 6333 0033

http://www.dbs.com.sg/personal/contact-us.page

TFL with OCBC

Applicants and their guarantors can submit the TFL application form at any OCBC Bank branch in Singapore, excluding FRANK Stores. However, NUS Campus FRANK Store allows submission of TFL form and documents from Monday to Friday (11am to 2pm) during the TFL application period (see here for details).

Important Note:

First-time applicants and their guarantors must visit OCBC Bank in person with the completed application form (to be signed in the presence of a bank officer), along with their identity cards or passports, NUS Student Card, and the offer of admission letter to support the loan application.

For the execution of TFL overseas, both applicant and guarantor will need to get their signatures witnessed and original documents* sighted at ONE of the following places in their home countries:

• Singapore Embassy
• Notary Public (an English translation of the Notary Public seal is required)

Please ensure compliance with the following requirements, otherwise, your TFL application will be rejected:

• The borrower must sign and date the loan agreement in the presence of the Singapore Embassy or Notary Public:
  • Under the section “Declaration by Borrower” (page 3)
  • Point 3 (page 4)
  • Bottom of every page
  • The Singapore Embassy or Notary Public has to sign/seal beside every signature.
• The guarantor must sign and date the loan agreement in the presence of the Singapore Embassy or Notary Public:
  • Under the section “Declaration by Guarantor” (page 3)
  • Point 3 (page 4)
  • The Singapore Embassy or Notary Public has to sign/seal beside the signature.
• Any amendments to the loan agreement should be done in the presence of the Singapore Embassy or Notary Public who has to sign/seal beside each amendment.
• Photocopies of original documents must be signed/sealed by the Singapore Embassy or Notary Public.
• Applicants must provide a Singapore address to OCBC Bank upon arrival in Singapore.

Overseas applicants will then have to mail their original documents* and Notary Public seals (if any) to OCBC Singapore at the following address:

Consumer Loan Operations (TC2)

31 Tampines Avenue 4

#01-01/03 OCBC Tampines Centre Two

Singapore 529680

Attention: Person-in-charge, Secured Loan Non-Mortgage

*Original documents refer to the completed application form, identity cards/passports, a copy of the University’s Letter of Offer for new prospective students and/or NUS Student Card for current students.

For any further inquiries regarding the TFL scheme, please contact:

OCBC Bank Customer Service Hotline

1800 363 3333

(+65) 6363 3333

https://www.ocbc.com/personal-banking/help-and-support

*If the deadline falls on a public holiday, it will be extended to the following Monday.