In a joint statement earlier on in December, NTU and NUS announced an increase of tuition fees by 5%. This was followed by the local polytechnics. The rise in tuition fees was claimed to meet the rising operating cost. Also, there will be an annual cap of 10% on any tuition fee increase for both universities.Just this month, SMU announced a fee hike of 15% starting from August. The revised tuition fee will be $6500, compared to the current S$5,650. It is justified that the university will be relocated to the new city campus beside Bras Basah complex, such that higher operating cost will be expected. Professor Howard Hunter, President, SMU also said that “We have deliberated on the fee increase taking into consideration the university's various sources of income and university endowments, as compared with the costs of running a premium university.”Despite the fee hike, all 3 universities have offered comprehensive financial aid schemes to help needy students with financial difficulties.SMU has significantly increased the number of scholarships. It is also providing qualified students with several financial assistance plans. NTU and NUS have also implemented several schemes to help students with financial difficulties.
