Singapore Management University (SMU) is set to expand its financial aid initiative to support over 3,000 students annually, starting August 2025. This marks a significant enhancement of the SMU Access scheme, which was launched in 2017 to fully cover tuition fees for needy undergraduates. Under the new SMU Access Plus scheme, the financial support will extend to include allowances for living expenses and overseas experiences.
SMU President Professor Lily Kong highlighted that the initiative will remove criteria such as housing type and focus solely on per capita income and citizenship. The change aims to broaden accessibility and benefit a larger pool of students, compared to the current 200 who qualify. Professor Kong noted the importance of enabling all students to have global exposure, which has been a graduation requirement at SMU since 2018.
“At SMU, we take pride in being the first university to make global exposure a graduation requirement”, said Professor Kong in an interview with The Straits Times. “Experiencing the world through the lens of a university education is transformative, fostering international networks, broadening horizons, and opening doors to new possibilities. Such opportunities should be accessible to every student, regardless of financial circumstances. That is why we continue to enhance the SMU Access scheme”.
SMU, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025, has consistently been a trailblazer in higher education. Since its inception in 2000, the university has introduced unique graduation requirements, including internships and community service. All undergraduates must complete a minimum of 10 weeks of internship and at least 80 hours of community service.
The university has also led with innovative practices such as a holistic admissions process, reserving Friday afternoons for out-of-classroom learning, and establishing the College of Integrative Studies, which allows students to design their own majors. These initiatives, according to Professor Kong, have transformed SMU’s students and influenced higher education practices in Singapore.
Looking ahead, SMU plans to continue its innovative approach to both undergraduate and continuing education. Undergraduates will be given greater flexibility to tailor their learning experiences. Aspiring entrepreneurs, for example, will have the opportunity to develop custom electives to acquire the skills needed to scale their startups.
In the realm of continuing education, SMU will launch a new series of industry graduate diplomas designed to provide flexible pathways for professional development.
As part of its refreshed vision to become 'Asia’s premier global city university', SMU is also introducing initiatives to nurture 'globally agile, Asia-ready graduates'. Starting in 2025, all undergraduates will take at least one course to gain insights into Asia’s cultural, social, and economic landscapes. Students will also have opportunities to participate in short-term programs in various parts of the region.
These enhancements reflect SMU’s commitment to delivering a transformative education while addressing the financial and educational needs of its diverse student population. By expanding the SMU Access Plus scheme and introducing new learning pathways, the university aims to ensure that no student is left behind in accessing world-class opportunities, regardless of their financial background.
