Dear Undergraduate Students,

DEFERMENT OF FEE ADJUSTMENTS, AY2009/2010

The complete student circular, with detailed Annexes, is available at:https://share.nus.edu.sg/registrar/student/circulars/PVOCir(13Mar09)-UGTuitionFeeReview.pdf

1.     I am writing to inform you about an announcement that will be made soon on the deferment of the planned undergraduate tuition and hostel fee adjustments for the next academic year. 

Deferment of Planned Tuition and Hostel Fee Adjustments

2.     Recognizing the impact of the current economic downturn, NUS will be deferring its planned adjustments to the undergraduate tuition fees for the incoming AY2009/2010 cohort for one academic year. This means that all new undergraduates will pay the existing tuition fees for the next academic year. The planned increase to student hostel fees will similarly be deferred. Both new and returning students will be charged the current hostel rates.

3.     While the University has decided to defer the planned fee increases for one academic year, we are aware that in a cohort-based tuition fee system, incoming students would need to be informed of their cohort tuition fee commitments.

4.     We are also mindful that the current recession may not be over by next year and will review the need to continue the deferment of the planned tuition fee adjustments towards the end of 2009.

5.     If the economic situation improves then, students in the AY2009/2010 cohort can expect tuition fees for most of the undergraduate courses to be raised by 4% with effect from AY2010/2011. Thereafter, the AY2009/2010 student cohort will pay this same level of fees for the remaining duration of their course of study in NUS.  Taking into account the one year deferment, this works out to an annualised increase of about 1.2% each year over a four-year course duration and for Medicine, it will be 1.0% each year over a five-year course duration. Tuition fees for Architecture and Business programmes will be increased by 7%, while the fees for Law and Pharmacy will be increased by 10%.  With the one year deferment, these fee adjustments would translate into annualised increases of 2.0% and 3.1% respectively. 

6.     Current undergraduates will not be affected by these fee adjustments.

7.     Not increasing fees will impact on the University’s operating budget.  However, we will implement a range of cost-cutting measures so that we can press ahead with significant enhancements to our educational programmes. The University will continue to attract the best faculty, staff and students to further propel NUS to the forefront of research and education.  We will also focus our resources on improving programmes and services that will benefit our students.

Financial Aid

8.     NUS remains committed to ensuring that no deserving student is denied a tertiary education because of financial difficulties and has stepped up our effort to assist students in need of financial assistance. Needy students at NUS who apply and qualify for financial aid will receive offers of financial assistance.  Such students can apply for a comprehensive range of financial assistancefrom the University and the Ministry of Education.  These schemes ensure that every student who qualifies for admission to NUS has the financial resources needed to complete his/her course of study. 

9.     Students who require financial aid or financial aid advice may approach the Office of Financial Aidfor assistance.  Students staying in the Halls and who need help with hostel fees may also approach the Halls for assistance.

Enquiries

10.  If you have any queries, I would like to suggest that you first refer to the FAQs on Tuition Fee Review and Hostel Fee Review.  If the information you seek is not given in the FAQs, please contactthe dedicated Fee Enquiry team at email:feereview@nus.edu.sg.

11.  Let me reiterate that the University is committed to achieving our core mission in ensuring a high quality education and that no qualified student will be denied of such an education because of financial difficulties.

With best wishes,

Prof Tan Eng Chye

Provost and Deputy President (Academic Affairs)

Circulars to Students are archived at:http://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/adminpolicy/circular.html

wooo~ no increment this year!!