SINGAPORE PRESS HOLDINGS FOUNDATION (SPH FOUNDATION)
Lim Kim San Memorial Scholarship
full · bachelors
- Full tuition + exam feesFees covered
- S$2,000 / yearLiving allowance
- S$300 / yearBook allowance
- Up to 4 yearsTenure
- Family income S$5,000 / month or lessNeeds criterion
- ~€1,600 / year (est.) in cash allowancesAllowances value
At a glance
full
Funding
€2k
Max amount
Apr 28, 2027
Deadline
Singapore (open to Singapore citizens)
Country
Singapore Press Holdings Foundation (SPH Foundation)
Provider
The Lim Kim San Memorial Scholarship is a needs-based undergraduate award offered by the Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) Foundation, named after the late Singaporean statesman Lim Kim San. It supports students from lower-income households who are pursuing a first degree at a local Singapore university, with eligible subjects including the Humanities and Languages. The scholarship is wide in scope for an undergraduate award: it covers full tuition and examination fees, pays a living allowance of S$2,000 per year and a book allowance of S$300 per year, and is tenable for the minimum period needed to complete the first degree (including an honours year where relevant), up to a maximum of four years, subject to satisfactory conduct and progress. Taken together the annual cash allowances are about S$2,300, roughly €1,600 (est.) per year on top of fees. To qualify, applicants must be Singapore citizens with a monthly family income of S$5,000 or less and strong academic and co-curricular records; recipients are also encouraged to give back through community service. Successful scholars may be offered internships at SPH where suitable vacancies exist. Because allowance rates and the closing date are reviewed each year, confirm the current-cycle figures and deadline on the official SPH Foundation page before you apply.
What's covered
- Tuition and examination fees — Full tuition fees, including examination fees, for the first degree.
- Living allowance — A living allowance of S$2,000 per year (~€1,400 / year, est.) toward day-to-day costs.
- Book allowance — A book allowance of S$300 per year (~€200 / year, est.) toward learning materials.
- Tenure — The award is tenable for the minimum period needed to complete the first degree, including an honours year where appropriate, up to a maximum of four years.
- Internship opportunities — Successful scholars may be offered internships at Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) where suitable vacancies exist (a paid work opportunity).
How to apply
Applications are submitted online through the SPH Foundation; complete and accurate information is essential, as it is used for eligibility and reference checks.
- Check eligibility and field — Confirm you are a Singapore citizen within the income limit and that your intended course is in an eligible field such as Humanities or Languages.
- Prepare your documents — Assemble your high-school diploma/results, passport, a short CV, a motivation letter or statement of purpose, a study plan, recommendation letters, and a health certificate.
- Complete the online form — Apply digitally through the SPH Foundation website, providing accurate personal, family-income, and academic details.
- Upload supporting documents — Attach all required documents and submit before the deadline; false information or concealment can lead to disqualification.
- Respond to follow-ups — Be ready for reference checks and to provide any further information requested during assessment.
Eligibility
CitizenshipApplicants must be Singapore citizens.
Family incomeMonthly family income must be S$5,000 or less.
Academic recordStrong academic credentials, including good GCE 'O' and 'A' level or polytechnic results, and good results in local university/college examinations.
Co-curricular recordA good and consistent record of co-curricular activities.
Field of studyPursuing a first undergraduate (or diploma) degree at a local university in an eligible field such as Humanities or Languages.
Despite some marketing wording, this is a Singapore-citizen award rather than an open international scholarship. Scholars are encouraged to contribute to society through volunteering or community service during and after their studies.
Eligible countries
Singapore (open to Singapore citizens)
Deadlines
2026 academic-year intake~28 April 2026 (est.)
Selection
Candidates are assessed on financial need (monthly family income of S$5,000 or less), academic performance at 'O'/'A' level or polytechnic and at university, and the consistency of their co-curricular record. The SPH Foundation uses the information provided, including reference checks, to decide awards; false or concealed information can result in disqualification. A limited number of scholarships are offered each year, so meeting the criteria does not guarantee an award.
Verified sources
- SPH Foundation – Official websitesphfoundation.org.sgofficial
About the provider
The Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) Foundation is the philanthropic arm associated with Singapore Press Holdings. It supports education, the arts, and community causes in Singapore, including needs-based awards such as the Lim Kim San Memorial Scholarship for students from lower-income families.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who offers the Lim Kim San Memorial Scholarship?
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It is offered by the Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) Foundation and named after the Singaporean statesman Lim Kim San.
Who is eligible to apply?
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Singapore citizens with a monthly family income of S$5,000 or less who have strong academic and co-curricular records and are pursuing a first degree in an eligible field.
Is it open to international students?
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No. Despite some broad marketing wording, the award is for Singapore citizens, not open international applicants.
What does the scholarship cover?
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Full tuition and examination fees, a living allowance of S$2,000 per year, and a book allowance of S$300 per year.
How much are the cash allowances worth?
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The living and book allowances total about S$2,300 per year, roughly €1,600 (est.) per year, on top of full fees.
How long is the scholarship tenable?
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For the minimum period needed to complete the first degree, including an honours year where relevant, up to a maximum of four years.
What is the family-income limit?
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Applicants must have a monthly family income of S$5,000 or less.
Which fields of study are eligible?
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Eligible subjects include the Humanities and Languages, among other listed fields; confirm your course is covered before applying.
Are there internship opportunities?
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Yes. Successful scholars may be offered internships at SPH where suitable vacancies exist.
What documents do I need?
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Your academic results, passport, a short CV, a motivation letter, a study plan, recommendation letters, a health certificate, and proof of family income.
When is the deadline?
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Applications usually close around late April; confirm the exact 2026 closing date on the official SPH Foundation page.
How do I apply?
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Submit your application online through the SPH Foundation website with complete and accurate information.