Temasek Foundation offering Polytechnic study awards for students enrolling in social sector, mental health courses

Youths looking to work in the social service or mental health sectors can now apply for study awards for their diploma studies. 

The Temasek Foundation is providing over 80 awards to eligible Singaporean students, as part of its efforts to encourage more people to join the two sectors. About $1.07 million will be committed by the foundation, it said in a media release on Monday (Dec 12). 

The foundation said that there is a demand for professionals in both industries, as there is an increased prevalence of mental health issues in Singapore, and a rapid ageing population. 

At least 88 study awards are available. Of these, half will be offered to students from low-income background studying in Nanyang Polytechnic’s Diploma in Social Work, Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Diploma in Community Development, Temasek Polytechnic’s Diploma in Psychology Studies and Diploma in Social Sciences in Gerontology.  

The study awards will cover educational expenses, as well as provide for living expenses while the student is studying. Eligible applicants must be Singaporeans, with per capita income of not more than S$750 or gross household income of not more than S$3,000.

The other half of the study awards will be offered to mid-career individuals looking to enter the mental health sector and support those in the in-service social service industry looking to upskill themselves with short courses relating to mental health. 

To be eligible for the awards, they will have to enrol in Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s one-year Specialist Diploma in Youth Development and Mental Wellness, or Singapore University of Social Sciences’ part-time Degree in Counselling, Social Work or Psychology. 

There are also awards offered to those taking the five-month Professional Certificate in Mental Health course at the National University of Singapore. 

The study awards cover tuition fees after government subsidies, if applicable. Only Singaporeans currently working in or intending to join social service organisations are eligible for the study awards. 

Applications for the next intake in Nanyang Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic will open in April 2023. For Singapore University of Social Sciences, the next intake opens in July 2023, and August 2023 for National University of Singapore.