Government Subsidy for Semester Exchange Programme

SSE and SSEBR:

• Local students enrolled in full-time locally-accredited undergraduate programs at HKU at the time of application and throughout the duration of the subsidized study abroad programme; and
• For Students who are in receipt of means-tested student financial assistance from the Student Finance Office (SFO) of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency or whose families are in receipt of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA).

Non-means-tested SSEBR:

• Local students enrolled in full-time locally-accredited undergraduate programs at HKU at the time of application and throughout the duration of the subsidized study abroad programme.
  
  

• Students who maintain good academic results and can complete the study abroad programme.
• Priority should be given to those who have not received any subsidy under scholarship/sponsorship/subsidy schemes wholly or partly funded by the government.
• Each student will be eligible to receive subsidy throughout their undergraduate study under
  1. SSE once, irrespective of the amount of subsidy received.
  2. Non-means-tested SSEBR once, subject to the maximum amount of subsidy to be received by them, i.e. $18,000.
  3. Means-tested SSEBR for twice at most, subject to the maximum amount of subsidy of HK$60,000 discounted by the latest level of student finance or the adjusted financial assistance level of 50%, whichever level is higher throughout their studies at the same level.
     
     Students are encouraged to undertake exchange activities in different places. If a student has been subsidised to take part in an exchange activity in one of the “Belt and Road” (B&R) regions under the Means-tested SSEBR, a student will have to participate in another exchange activity in another B&R region to be eligible to receive further subsidy under the Means-tested SSEBR or the Non-means-tested SSEBR, and vice versa.
     
     Students will not be eligible to receive subsidy under the SSE/Means-tested SSEBR/Non-means-tested SSEBR if he/she has been subsidised under any of these Schemes for the same destination.
• For Students who have previously received subsidy under the original SSEBR during undergraduate study:
  1. Previously received subsidy once under the original SSEBR:
     eligible for (i) Non-means-tested SSEBR once; OR (ii) Means-tested SSEBR once;
  2. Previously received subsidy twice under the original SSEBR:
     not eligible for Non-means-tested SSEBR OR Means-tested SSEBR further

*Only listed destinations from HERE are eligible for SSEBR and Non-means-tested SSEBR.

• In general, the duration of an exchange activity should cover the period from the commencement date to the completion date of the official programme of the exchange activity. Travelling time back and forth between Hong Kong and the exchange destination should not be counted towards the duration of the exchange activity.
• The University will adjust the actual amount of subsidy to be granted to the student downwards from that maximum amount, having regard to the actual travelling expenses and participation fees involved in the exchange activities, other subsidy/sponsorship received by the student, etc.
• Students who have previously received assistance from other scholarships or support schemes wholly or partly funded by the government are also eligible for assistance under SSE/Means-tested SSEBR/ Non-means-tested SSEBR.
• Students may receive scholarships, allowances or subsidies from other sources (including government and private) to cover expenses in connection with the same study abroad programme, which means students who will receive the Exchange Scholarship, Scholarship for Short-term Study Abroad Programmes or Short-term Abroad Allowance can also apply for government subsidy.