Eligibility
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To be eligible to apply for FASP in the 2024/25 academic year (AY), applicants shall:
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be a registered full-time student; aged 30 or below (i.e. born on or after 1 September 1993) #;
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For face-to-face teaching programmes, "full-time" study refers to a curriculum of not less than 450 contact hours per year or a minimum of 30 credit points per year (i.e. one credit point equaling 15 contact hours).
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For non-face-to-face teaching programmes, "full-time" study means a curriculum of not less than 1 350 study hours.
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be engaged in full-time locally-accredited self-financing post-secondary education programmes at sub-degree (i.e. associate degree or higher diploma) or degree level #;
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Locally-accredited programmes refer to those included in the "Register of Locally-accredited Programmes" recognised by the Secretary for Education. For the 2024/25 AY, only programmes which have been included in the Register on or before 31 December 2024 will be covered by FASP.
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Please approach the relevant institutions for more information about the programmes. Applicants may visit Information Portal for Accredited Post-secondary Programme Coding Sheet for information as well.
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not have accepted financial assistance under any other publicly-funded student finance assistance schemes [e.g. the Continuing Education Fund (CEF)] for the programme / course covered by the application in the same academic year; and
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have the right of abode in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (“Hong Kong”); or alternatively, applicants or their families must have resided in Hong Kong continuously for three complete years prior to the commencement of the course*.
(Remarks: This does not cover non-local students holding –
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student visas / entry permits;
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visas / entry permits under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates; or
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dependant visas / entry permits which were issued to them by the Director of Immigration when the relevant students have reached 18 years old.)
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Note:*Applicants without the right of abode in Hong Kong (i.e. without the alphabet "A" beneath the Date of Birth field of the Hong Kong Identity Card) should also provide a copy of their entry permits to Hong Kong, e.g. "Permit for Proceeding to Hong Kong and Macao" (commonly known as the "One-way Permit") / dependant visa, etc., with their applications.
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(If you are taking distance-learning programmes at the Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU), please also refer to the Supplementary Guidance Notes for FASP/NLSPS for students taking distance-learning programmes for the eligibility criteria and application procedures under FASP.)
Attention: Applicant's eligibility is restricted to only one eligible full-time programme in any one academic year. If applicants have applied for financial assistance under the Tertiary Student Finance Scheme ("TSFS"), they cannot apply for the FASP simultaneously in the same AY.
Attention: Applicants who attend distance-learning programmes are not eligible to apply for the STS Scheme.
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An applicant is eligible to receive hostel subsidy if he/she is:
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an undergraduate who is eligible for and has passed the means test of FASP; and
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confirmed by his / her institution as a registered occupant of a hostel place for at least 75% of the time in the relevant semester. (Remarks: Students who reside in premises other than the student hostels provided by institutions, such as residing solely in or sharing a private flat as tenants are not eligible for the hostel subsidy.)
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Eligible students need not file separate applications for the hostel subsidy.
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The application deadline for additional academic expenses grant for the 2024/25 academic year has passed.
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SFO will consider providing additional financial assistance to applicants who are receiving Disability Allowance. Relevant applicants please provide the information and enclose certifications in the FASP application. They are not required to file separate application.