In a significant move, the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) has broadened the income brackets for families and individuals to qualify for financial assistance, effective from January.
The CDAC, known for its continuous support to the Chinese community in Singapore, has broadened the eligibility criteria for its bursary programs, offering increased support to financially struggling families. Effective January 2024, the income ceiling for qualifying for CDAC bursaries has been doubled from S$2,400 to S$4,800 and the gross per capita income threshold has risen from S$800 to S$1,400.
These adjustments aim to enable more students to apply for assistance under the CDAC-Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations Bursary for primary and secondary school students, along with the Youth Empowerment & Aspiration Programme Grant for post-secondary students.
Making the announcement, Alex Yam, who serves on the CDAC board and carries out duties as the Mayor of the North West District, shed light on the adjustments. It appears that the quintessential aim is to ensure that aid is channelled to a broader demographic, particularly as society faces economic shifts.
The process of applying for CDAC assistance is expected to adhere to the organization’s ethos of accessibility. Details on the application process and the required documents to support one’s eligibility will be made available for prospective recipients, ensuring the procedure remains user-friendly and effective.
Eligible primary and secondary school students will receive S$300 and S$480 respectively, while post-secondary grant recipients will receive S$720. This strategic re-evaluation of income criteria by CDAC acknowledges the evolving needs of low-income families, ensuring better community service.
In a proactive measure to sustain these vital programs, CDAC has earmarked S$38.69 million in its 2024 budget, marking a 10% increase from this year’s projected spending of S$35.07 million. Anticipating a surge in bursary applications due to the revised criteria, this augmented budget aims to support approximately 17,000 households in the upcoming year.
This substantial revision in income criteria underscores CDAC’s commitment to providing increased support to Singaporean students from financially challenged backgrounds, ensuring equitable access to education and essential resources.
