Gov’t increases household income limit for student loans

The Macau government has increased the set limit of monthly household income for student loans applicants, according to a notice published in the Official Gazette (BO). The government has also increased the value of student loans and other financial aid programs addressing higher education students.
The average monthly income per capita for applicants’ households has been increased, from MOP9,750 to 12,600 for households comprising only one person, and from MOP7,050 to MOP9,160 for those comprising five or more family members.
Monthly student loans and merit scholarships have also been increased: for those studying in Macau and Taiwan, there will be an increase of MOP200 to MOP3,500 and for 3,700 respectively; for those studying in mainland China, monthly student loans have increased from MOP2,350 to MOP2,800.
For Hong Kong and other countries and regions, monthly student loans have been increased to MOP5,600.
The Macau government says it has increased housing allowance too, which will be set at MOP2,250.
The new measures will come into force in the upcoming school year of 2015/2016, the notice said.
Another notice released by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture has set the number of scholarships for university students over the next school year. In 2015/2016, the government forecasts that it will grant a total of 5,165 scholarships: 4,500 for student loans programs, 380 merit scholarships, 250 special scholarships and 35 extra scholarships.
In addition, the government will provide 700 housing allowances and 250 travel subsidies.  Students holding permanent Macau ID cards may apply for the various government scholarships. MDT/Lusa