More undergrads seeking financial aid, and getting it

The number of applications for bursaries and scholarships at SMU, NUS and NTU has risen by around 30 per cent to 50 per cent in the last four to five years. SMU disbursed $11.3 million in scholarships and bursaries in its financial year (FY) 2013, up from $7.9 million in FY2009. Its FY is from April to March the following year. SMU Dean of Students Ong Siow Heng said that all students who apply and meet the criteria will be awarded bursaries, while about 60 per cent of scholarship applicants are successful.