Got a question on scholarships? Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions from students:

If you cannot find an answer to your question, please email to scholarships@hku.hk.

FAQs for Prospective Students


Q1.1 Can I get a scholarship to study at HKU?
Q1.2 Are there scholarships that I can apply for AFTER I have started my studies at HKU?

Q1.1 Can I get a scholarship to study at HKU?
Prospective students are selected for entrance scholarships or fellowships on the basis of academic merit. For further enquiries, please contact the following offices:

    Undergraduate programmes: Admissions Office;

    Taught postgraduate programmes: The relevant Faculty/Department;

    Research postgraduate programmes: Graduate School

Q1.2 Are there scholarships that I can apply for AFTER I have started my studies at HKU?
You can find scholarship information on the HKU Scholarships website. There is a section summarising the different scholarship categories with scheme highlights.

You can also view individual scholarship schemes sorted in alphabetical order on our website.

FAQs on Entrance Scholarship RENEWAL

 

Preamble

The awarding of university-wide Entrance Scholarships is handled by the HKU Admissions Office (hereafter AO), while the subsequent scholarship renewal is administered by the Academic Advising and Scholarships Office (hereafter AASO).

This FAQ is only applicable to undergraduate students who were offered renewable entrance scholarships by AO at the point of admission to HKU.

For students who were offered entrance scholarships by home faculties or departments, please contact your Faculty/Department for enquiries.


Q2.1 How do I know if my entrance scholarship is renewable and the renewal amount?
Q2.2 What do I need to do to renew my entrance scholarship?
Q2.3 If I fail in one course, can I receive scholarship in the next academic year?
Q2.4 Will I be informed if I am unable to meet the academic requirement for scholarship renewal?
Q2.5 I am an MBBS/a BDS student. How do I know my class ranking?
Q2.6 When will I receive my scholarship renewal payment?
Q2.7 I need to use the scholarship to pay for the tuition fee, but the scholarship payment timeline is after the tuition fee due date. What should I do?
Q2.8 Can I continue to receive scholarship renewal payment when I take leave of absence from HKU?
Q2.9 Will I still be eligible for scholarship renewal if I change my study programme?
Q2.10 I have other questions about entrance scholarship renewal. Whom should I contact?
Q2.11 I am a Year 1 student and have questions about my new entrance scholarship (i.e., NOT related to the renewal process). Whom should I contact?
Q2.12 I was not offered any entrance scholarships when I was admitted to HKU, but I have performed well in my Year 1 study. Can I appeal to be given an entrance scholarship?
Q2.13 If I have financial difficulties, can I apply for entrance scholarship to relieve my financial burden?

Q2.1 How do I know if my entrance scholarship is renewable and the renewal amount?
Please refer to the “Conditions of Award” attached to the award letter issued by the AO at the start of your Year 1 studies. If it is renewable, it will say so, and the amount/conditions will also be indicated there. The amount/conditions are final and requests for adjustment will NOT be considered.

Q2.2 What do I need to do to renew my entrance scholarship?
The conditions for scholarship renewal (including academic performance requirement) are shown in the “Conditions of Awards” page of your award letter.

The AASO will contact you, by email, around August/ September each year to let you know whether or not you have met the academic requirement for renewal in the new academic year. Since academic requirement is only one of the renewal conditions, the email will also ask you to answer some questions so that the AASO can ascertain whether you will continue to study at HKU in the new year.

You will also be asked to submit a short report on your learning experience in the past year. Details of the report requirement will be provided in the email.

If you have not heard from the AASO about your entrance scholarship renewal by September 30 of the new academic year in which renewal is due, please email entrenew@hku.hk.

Q2.3 If I fail in one course, can I receive scholarship in the next academic year?
Please refer to the “Conditions of Award” for the academic requirement. Only the requirements stated in the “Conditions of Award” will affect your renewal eligibility.

Q2.4 Will I be informed if I am unable to meet the academic requirement for scholarship renewal?
Yes, the AASO will email you around August/September after the year-end results are confirmed.

Q2.5 I am an MBBS/a BDS student. How do I know my class ranking?
The AASO will get the class ranking from your faculty for you, and then let you know, via email, if your class ranking has met the academic requirement for scholarship renewal around August/September each year.

Q2.6 When will I receive my scholarship renewal payment?
Scholarship renewal payment will be made from mid/late October each year to those students who have replied to all the questions from the AASO (see Q2.2 above) on time. Significant delay of payment can be expected in case of late reply and/or report submission.

Q2.7 I need to use the scholarship to pay for the tuition fee, but the scholarship payment timeline is after the tuition fee due date. What should I do?
It may be possible to arrange a grace period for the tuition fee payment. For students with financial difficulties, please contact CEDARS (cedars@hku.hk), before the tuition fee due date, to seek advice on possible fee deferment.

Q2.8 Can I continue to receive scholarship renewal payment when I take leave of absence from HKU?
As mention in Q2.2 above, AASO will email you around August/September each year. In that email, AASO will check with you if you will take leave in the new academic year.

You will NOT be entitled to receive scholarship payment when you are on leave of absence, except when you participate in a study abroad programme arranged/recognised by the University.

You are required to inform AASO, in writing and in advance, about ANY type of leave of absence (including exchange) and enclose written confirmation from your Faculty/Department about the overseas activity or approval of your leave of absence.

Q2.9 Will I still be eligible for scholarship renewal if I change my study programme?
This is subject to approval. You need to submit confirmation from your faculty regarding the change of study programme to AASO for consideration.

Q2.10 I have other questions about entrance scholarship renewal. Whom should I contact?
Please email AASO at: entrenew@hku.hk.

Q2.11 I am a Year 1 student and have questions about my new entrance scholarship (i.e., NOT related to the renewal process). Whom should I contact?
Please contact the Admissions Office at: ischolar@hku.hk.

Q2.12 I was not offered any entrance scholarships when I was admitted to HKU, but I have performed well in my Year 1 study. Can I appeal to be given an entrance scholarship?
As the name implies, entrance scholarships are only awarded to newly-admitted students based on the admission criteria at the time of admission. Current students are not eligible to be considered for entrance scholarships.

However, there are different scholarship opportunities for current students. There is a section summarising the different scholarship categories with scheme highlights. You can also refer to the FAQs for Current Students for further information.

Q2.13 If I have financial difficulties, can I apply for entrance scholarship to relieve my financial burden?
Again, entrance scholarships are only awarded to newly-admitted students based on the admission criteria at the time of admission. If you encounter any financial difficulties, you may approach CEDARS (cedars@hku.hk) for further assistance.

FAQs for Current Students


Q3.1 What is the difference between a scholarship and a bursary?
Q3.2 What types of scholarships are available?
Q3.3 Why was I not given an entrance scholarship? Can I apply for entrance scholarships after I have started my studies at HKU?
Q3.4 How can I find a scholarship that is suitable to me?
Q3.5 Is it difficult to get a scholarship? What is the GPA requirement?
Q3.6 I am an MBBS/a BDS student. How do I know my class ranking?
Q3.7 How can I apply for scholarships?
Q3.8 What is enrichment scholarship? Can I get a scholarship for my exchange studies?
Q3.9 What is the difference between “Internal” and “External” Scholarship Schemes?
Q3.10 I have applied for a scholarship. Do I need to attend an interview?
Q3.11 How should I prepare for a scholarship application and/or interview?
Q3.12 How will I know the outcome of my scholarship application?
Q3.13 How will I receive the scholarship payment?
Q3.14 Will my scholarship be shown on the transcript?
Q3.15 The scholarship award letter says that the scholarship is renewable. What is the renewal procedure?
Q3.16. Will I still be eligible for scholarship renewal if I change my study programme? You need to consult the administering unit of your scholarship BEFORE you change your programme.
Q3.17 I have read through the FAQs/HKU Scholarships website but cannot find the answer to my question. Whom should I contact?

Q3.1 What is the difference between a scholarship and a bursary?
A scholarship is an award made to a student with demonstrated achievements. Academic merit is a primary criterion. Some schemes may also consider other factors, such as community service, leadership quality, financial need and interview performance.

A bursary is a subsidy offered to a student with financial need. For more information on bursaries and University Finance Assistance, please visit the CEDARS website.

Q3.2 What types of scholarships are available?

  1. Entrance Scholarships or Fellowships are awarded to prospective undergraduate/postgraduate students, selected on the basis of academic merit and offered at the point of admission.
  2. Scholarships for current undergraduate/postgraduate students are awarded to those who have already started their studies at HKU.
  3. Enrichment Scholarships are to support students in their participation in overseas activities, such as exchange, visiting studies, field trips, internships, service trips, conferences.
  4. Scholarships for SEN Students go to those students with special educational needs (SEN).
  5. Scholarships for Overseas Postgraduate Studies support current students and/or graduates to pursue postgraduate studies overseas.

Q3.3 Why was I not given an entrance scholarship? Can I apply for entrance scholarships after I have started my studies at HKU?
Entrance Scholarships are awarded to students only at the point of admission to HKU based on the admission criteria.

Q3.4 How can I find a scholarship that is suitable to me?
There is a section summarising the different scholarship categories with scheme highlights. You can also view individual scholarship schemes sorted in alphabetical order.

You should also stay tuned for announcement of scholarship applications via email or publicized at the our website.

Q3.5 Is it difficult to get a scholarship? What is the GPA requirement?
HKU awards over 4,500 scholarships each year and so it is not mission impossible. Having said that, a scholarship is an honour in recognition and support of students with demonstrated achievements (including strong academic performance), and so you will need to work hard and compete with other students.

Each scholarship scheme has its own set of selection criteria and so you must study each scheme’s requirements carefully. For scholarships administered by HKU, the selection criteria can be found on the HKU Scholarships website.

If a scheme has NOT specified the GPA requirement, then applicants are generally expected to have a minimum GPA of 3.0. For MBBS and BDS students who do not have GPAs, their class ranking will be taken into consideration instead.

Q3.6 I am an MBBS/a BDS student. How do I know my class ranking?
In most cases, the administering unit of the scholarship scheme will get the class ranking from your faculty for you.

Q3.7 How can I apply for scholarships?
Some scholarships are awarded based on nominations by Faculties/ Departments, i.e., students don’t need to apply.

For scholarships which accept open applications and are administered by the Academic Advising and Scholarships Office, calls will be made through regular e-newsletters to students’ HKU email accounts. You can also view schemes which are currently calling for application on the HKU Scholarships website, under “Apply for Scholarship”. If you are interested in applying, please submit an application according to the instruction shown.

For scholarships which accept open applications but are NOT administered by the Academic Advising and Scholarships Office, please contact the administering unit for further details.

Q3.8 What is enrichment scholarship? Can I get a scholarship for my exchange studies?
There are scholarships which specifically support students, with good academic performance, to go on overseas learning/service activities (such as exchange, field trips, conferences, service trips, internship). These are generally known as “enrichment scholarships”.

You can also visit the International Affairs Office website for more information about the HKU Worldwide Student Exchanges programme.

As some Faculties/Departments administer enrichment scholarships specifically for their students, you can check with your Faculty/Department Office as well.

In most cases, you will need to submit a trip proposal (including activity summary, dates, destination, learning objectives, budget breakdown) as part of the scholarship application.

Q3.9 What is the difference between “Internal” and “External” Scholarship Schemes?
“Internal scholarships” are schemes administered by HKU, i.e., HKU handles the applications, selection and award payment. Scholarships awarded by internal schemes will be recorded on transcripts.

“External scholarships” are administered entirely by the outside parties, including selection and award payment. While Academic Advising and Scholarships Office may help publicise such schemes to students, enquiries and application need to be made directly to the organisers. Scholarships awarded by external schemes will NOT be shown on transcripts.

Q3.10 I have applied for a scholarship. Do I need to attend an interview?
Not all scholarship schemes require interviews. For those which do, shortlisted students will be informed.

Q3.11 How should I prepare for a scholarship application and/or interview?
You can click here for some quick tips. Academic Advising and Scholarships Office offers a seminar each year, usually at the start of Semester 2, on this topic. Watch out for announcement emails in your HKU inbox!

Q3.12 How will I know the outcome of my scholarship application?
If you submit your application to the Academic Advising and Scholarships Office, the Office will inform you of the outcome (whether successful or not) by email. If your application is submitted to other units, please check with that unit on its procedure.

Some schemes may have longer selection process than others and so you may need to wait a bit longer. For scholarships that are administered by the Academic Advising and Scholarships Office, the expected result announcement timing is usually shown on the relevant scholarship webpage.

Q3.13 How will I receive the scholarship payment?
Your award letter will explain the conditions of the award, if any, and the payment arrangement. In general, payment will be disbursed to your bank account registered through the HKU Portal after award conditions are fulfilled. Please make sure that your bank account details in the Portal are correct:

Login HKU Portal > SIS Main Menu > Financial Services > View / Amend Bank Account Info

Q3.14 Will my scholarship be shown on the transcript?
Scholarships awarded by internal scholarship schemes will be recorded on transcripts. Please see Q9 above to find out the difference between “internal” and “external” scholarship schemes.

Q3.15 The scholarship award letter says that the scholarship is renewable. What is the renewal procedure?

  1. Renewal of Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships
    Please click here for “FAQs on Entrance Scholarship Renewal”.
  2. Renewal of Other (Non-Entrance) Scholarships
    Some scholarships are renewable subject to certain conditions being met. The condition(s) and maximum renewable term are stated in the award letter. It is important that you take note of this information. Please also note that, for some schemes, the amount of the renewed scholarship may differ from the initial value.

For scholarships that are administered by the Academic Advising and Scholarships Office, the Office will contact you, by email, in the following year to let you know whether your scholarship can be renewed or not.

Q3.16 Will I still be eligible for scholarship renewal if I change my study programme?
You need to consult the administering unit of your scholarship BEFORE you change your programme.

Q3.17 I have read through the FAQs/HKU Scholarships website but cannot find the answer to my question. Whom should I contact?
Please email the Academic Advising and Scholarships Office at scholarships@hku.hk.

FAQs on Scholarships for Overseas Postgraduate Studies


Q4.1 I want to pursue postgraduate studies overseas after graduating from HKU. How can I apply for scholarships?

Q4.1 I want to pursue postgraduate studies overseas after graduating from HKU. How can I apply for scholarships?
Many overseas universities do offer scholarships to their postgraduate students. You need to make application to your chosen university.

As well as university scholarships, there may also be a range of external scholarships you can apply for, such as government scholarships or scholarships funded by organizations or charities with an invested interest in higher education.

You can click here for highlights of overseas postgraduate study scholarships. Some of the highlighted schemes are administered by HKU. That is, HKU handles all enquiries, the application and selection of these “internal” schemes directly. Call for applications will be done via emails and the HKU Scholarships website. When you apply, please study the scheme carefully to ensure your area of study and choice of overseas institution are covered. Normally you will need to apply for admission to the overseas institution first or in parallel with your scholarship application. Apart from its own set of selection criteria, the awarding of scholarship may be subject to your success in being admitted by the institution. If you are unable to get an admission offer, you will not be considered for the scholarship.

For “external” schemes that are administered entirely by non-HKU organisations, all enquiries and applications should be made directly to the organisers. However, HKU may help to promote some “external” schemes to HKU students, through the HKU Scholarships website, emails, and/or information sessions.