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SCFA calculator (student care subsidy)
Pop in your household income and your student care centre's fee. You'll see your SCFA subsidy, what you pay each month, and how it changes from January 2027.
Figures checked 2 Oct 2026 against official government sources · Fussy Mama
Your SCFA subsidy
SCFA subsidy table
SCFA (Student Care Fee Assistance) helps working families pay for student care for kids aged 7 to 14, from Primary 1 to Secondary 2. How much you get depends on income and on your centre's fee. If the fee is under $295, you get a percentage of it. At $295 or more, you get a fixed dollar amount.
| Household income now | Household income from Jan 2027 | Fee under $295 | Fee $295 or more |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 and below | $2,000 and below | 98% | $290 |
| $1,501 to $2,000 | $2,001 to $2,500 | 95% | $280 |
| $2,001 to $2,200 | $2,501 to $3,000 | 90% | $266 |
| $2,201 to $2,400 | Removed | 85% | $251 |
| $2,401 to $2,600 | $3,001 to $3,300 | 80% | $236 |
| $2,601 to $2,800 | $3,301 to $3,600 | 70% | $207 |
| $2,801 to $3,000 | $3,601 to $4,000 | 60% | $177 |
| $3,001 to $3,200 | $4,001 to $4,400 | 50% | $148 |
| $3,201 to $3,500 | $4,401 to $4,800 | 40% | $118 |
| $3,501 to $4,000 | $4,801 to $5,200 | 30% | $89 |
| $4,001 to $4,500 | $5,201 to $6,500 | 20% | $59 |
For households of 5 or more, per capita income is used instead. Current per capita bands run from $375 and below up to $1,125. From January 2027 they run from $500 and below up to $1,625. Source: SupportGoWhere SCFA page (scheme updated 9 Sep 2026), checked 2 Oct 2026.
Who can get SCFA
- Your child is a Singapore citizen, or a PR with at least one Singapore citizen in the same household.
- Both parents each work at least 56 hours a month. If you're job hunting or unwell, you can still apply with documents like proof of job search or a medical certificate.
- Your child is 7 to 14 (P1 to Sec 2) in the year the subsidy starts.
- The centre is registered with MSF as an SCFA administrator.
- Household income is within the limits above.
There's also a one-time Start-Up Grant of up to $400 per child. For children with special needs at a Special Student Care Centre, the income limit is higher ($9,200, or $2,300 per person) and fees after subsidy start from $11 a month, with the details on SG Enable's Enabling Guide.
Worked examples
Household of 4 earning $3,800, centre charges $320. The fee is over $295, so you get the fixed amount. Today that's the $3,501 to $4,000 tier, so $89 off and you pay $231. From January 2027 the same income falls in the $3,601 to $4,000 tier, worth $177. You'd pay $143, which is $88 less every month.
Household of 3 earning $1,800, centre charges $280. The fee is under $295, so you get 95% of it: $266. You pay $14 a month.
Household of 6 earning $6,000. Per person that's $1,000. Today you're in the 30% tier ($876 to $1,000). Going by household income alone you wouldn't qualify at all.
How to apply
- Apply online on SupportGoWhere. You can send it in up to six months before you want it to start. For January 2027, that means from July 2026.
- SCFA only starts from the month MSF receives your application (or after your current SCFA ends, if that's later), which is why it pays to apply early.
- Your income is checked through CPF or IRAS records. For employees it's the average over 12 months, bonuses and allowances included.
- Still struggling with the co-payment? You can appeal through the student care centre with documents.
Planning the switch from preschool? Our childcare subsidy calculator covers the years before P1, and our school holiday camps guide helps with the June and December gaps.
Questions parents ask
How much is the SCFA subsidy?
Up to $290 a month per child. How much depends on income: if your centre's fee is $295 or more you get a fixed $59 to $290. If the fee is under $295 you get 20% to 98% of it.
What is the SCFA income limit?
Gross household income of $4,500 a month or less, or $1,125 per person for households of 5 or more. From January 2027 the limit rises to $6,500, or $1,625 per person.
Do both parents need to work for SCFA?
Yes, each parent must work at least 56 hours a month, though if you're unemployed or looking for work you can still apply with documents such as proof of job search or a medical certificate.
Can PR children get SCFA?
Yes, if at least one immediate family member in the same household is a Singapore citizen.
What age is SCFA for?
Children aged 7 to 14 (Primary 1 to Secondary 2) in the year the subsidy starts, at a centre registered with MSF. Special Student Care Centres cover ages 7 to 18.
When should I apply for SCFA?
Up to six months before you want it to start. It begins from the month MSF gets your application, so for a January 2027 start you can apply from July 2026.
How is income calculated for SCFA?
For employees, it's the average gross monthly income over 12 months from CPF records or your latest IRAS assessment, including bonuses, commissions, overtime and allowances. For the self-employed, it's average trade income.
Is there a Start-Up Grant for student care?
Yes, a one-time Start-Up Grant of up to $400 per child for eligible families.
What if I still can't afford the fee after SCFA?
You can appeal through the student care centre with documents explaining your situation. Appeals are looked at case by case.
