NTUC expands bond-free Starter Awards scholarships to eight institutes of higher learning

NTUC has expanded its NTUC Starter Awards, which are bond-free scholarships, to three more institutes of higher learning (IHLs), bringing the number of participating IHLs to eight.

The announcement was made on 2 August 2025 at the sidelines of the NTUC NDP Bay Celebrations.

Broader reach for bond-free scholarships

The NTUC Starter Awards was first piloted in 2024 to students from the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), Temasek Polytechnic (TP) and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), including ITE College Central, ITE College East and ITE College West.

The scholarship now extends to Singapore Polytechnic (SP), Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), and Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP).

NTUC intends to continue collaborating with more IHLs to broaden access to this initiative.

The Starter Awards provide bond-free scholarships and leadership development programmes of up to $6,000 for ITE students, $9,000 for polytechnic students and $16,000 for university students.

Applications for the NTUC Starter Awards open from 4 August 2025 to 30 September 2025 across the eight IHLs.

In December 2024, 43 students from SIT, TP and ITE were awarded the scholarships. As Starter Award recipients, the students joined NTUC Youth on a learning journey to Shenzhen in June 2025 as part of their one-year leadership development programme.

Among the recipients was Ryan Peh, 18, from ITE College East, who said that the NTUC Starter Awards has opened opportunities for him beyond financial support.

“I gained leadership experience and grew more confident in giving back to the community…The NTUC Starter Awards is a meaningful platform for youth like us to step up and grow,” he said.

NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng reiterated NTUC’s commitment to supporting youths.

He said: “We want to be able to do more for our youths and we are grateful for the support from IHLs who have expressed their interest in supporting the NTUC Starter Awards.

“NTUC will walk alongside them in this journey, give them that head start in their careers, and will support them in every way possible.”

NTUC’s commitment to youths in other areas

The expansion of the NTUC Starter Awards complements a broader suite of NTUC initiatives aimed at helping youths navigate career, lifestyle and financial aspirations.

NTUC has been engaging and supporting Singaporean youths in their work-life aspirations, such as the NTUC Youth Taskforce as part of its #EveryWorkerMatters Conversations in 2022.

NTUC also spearheaded various programmes and initiatives for youths, focused on career development, and mental and financial well-being.

One of the key initiatives includes the NTUC Starter Membership, tailored to address the youth’s career and lifestyle needs.

The NTUC Starter Membership is currently priced at $21 for the first year, down from $36, for signups until 31 August 2025.

NTUC Youth Executive Secretary and Co-Chairperson of the NTUC NDP Bay Celebrations Organising Committee Natasha Choy said that NTUC has always believed in empowering the youth.

She added: “Through initiatives like the NTUC Starter Awards and the NTUC Starter Membership, we support their growth in work, live and play, helping them thrive professionally and personally.

“By engaging youth early and meaningfully, especially by providing these bond-free scholarships, we believe we can help them build fulfilling careers and contribute positively to our workforce and society.”

Find out more or sign up for NTUC Starter Membership.

Interested applicants for the NTUC Starter Awards will receive more information from their IHLs or can visit the NTUC Starter Awards website.