The Student Care Subsidy: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents

What is the Student Care Subsidy?

The Student Care Subsidy (SCS) is a government subsidy that helps low- and middle-income families with the cost of student care services.

For the 2023 calendar year, the following subsidies are available:

• Tier 1: For households with a monthly income of $700 or less, the subsidy will cover 100% of the student care fees, up to a cap of $400 per month.
• Tier 2: For households with a monthly income between $701 and $1,200, the subsidy will cover 50% of the student care fees, up to a cap of $200 per month.
• Tier 3: For households with a monthly income between $1,201 and $1,800, the subsidy will cover 25% of the student care fees, up to a cap of $100 per month.

Who is Eligible for the Student Care Subsidy?

To be eligible for the SCS, families must meet the following criteria:

• The child must be enrolled in a licensed student care centre or group.
• The child must be between the ages of 7 and 12 years old.
• The family must reside in Singapore.
• The family's monthly income must not exceed $1,800.

How to Apply for the Student Care Subsidy

Families can apply for the SCS online through the e-Services for Parents (e- SFP) portal.

Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Create an account on the e-SFP portal.
2. Click on the "Student Care Subsidy" tab.
3. Fill out the application form and submit it.
4. Once the application is submitted, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) will review the application and notify the family of the outcome.

Required Documents

When applying for the SCS, families will need to submit the following documents:

• Proof of income (e.g., payslips, bank statements)
• Proof of child's enrollment in a licensed student care centre or group
• Proof of child's Singapore citizenship or permanent residency

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When applying for the SCS, parents should avoid making the following mistakes:

• Applying after the deadline.
• Not submitting all of the required documents.
• Providing false or inaccurate information.

Why the Student Care Subsidy Matters

The SCS is a valuable subsidy that can help families to save money on student care costs.

Here are some of the benefits of the subsidy:

• It can help families to make ends meet.
• It can help families to improve their childcare options.
• It can help children to receive the quality care they need to succeed in school.

Success Stories

1. The Chen Family

The Chen family has two children, aged 7 and 9. Both children are enrolled in a licensed student care centre. The family's monthly income is $1,200.

Under the SCS, the Chen family is eligible for a Tier 2 subsidy of 50%. This means that they will pay $100 per month for student care fees, instead of $200 per month.

"The SCS has been a huge help for our family," said Mrs. Chen. "It has allowed us to keep our children in the same student care centre, which they love. We are very grateful for this subsidy."

2. The Tan Family

The Tan family has three children, aged 8, 10, and 12. All three children are enrolled in a licensed student care centre. The family's monthly income is $1,600.

Under the SCS, the Tan family is eligible for a Tier 3 subsidy of 25%. This means that they will pay $150 per month for student care fees, instead of $200 per month.

"The SCS has helped us to offset the cost of student care for our three children," said Mr. Tan. "We are grateful for this subsidy, which has made it possible for our children to continue attending the same student care centre."

3. The Lee Family

The Lee family has one child, aged 9. The child is enrolled in a licensed student care centre. The family's monthly income is $700.

Under the SCS, the Lee family is eligible for a Tier 1 subsidy of 100%. This means that they do not have to pay any student care fees.

"The SCS has been a lifesaver for our family," said Mrs. Lee. "We would not be able to afford student care without this subsidy. We are very grateful for the support that the government has provided."

Conclusion

The Student Care Subsidy is a valuable benefit that can help families to save money on student care costs.

If you are eligible for the subsidy, we encourage you to apply.

The application process is simple and straightforward, and the subsidy can make a big difference in your family's budget.