ABS: Dr Goh Keng Swee Scholarship 2017

What is ABS: Dr Goh Keng Swee Scholarship 2017?

ABS: Dr Goh Keng Swee Scholarship for the year 2017 is organised by the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) and was set up by the financial community in Singapore in honour of the former Deputy Prime Minister, who fostered Singapore's economic development and growth as a reputable international financial centre. This scholarship is for individuals of the Asia-Pacific region to pursue undergraduate studies in approved disciplines at local universities in Singapore.

Every year they provide scholarships to 3 to 4 candidates to outstanding individuals from 15 Asia Pacific economies to pursue undergraduate studies at local universities in Singapore i.e. National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore Management University (SMU) and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD).

Who can apply for this scholarship ?

• The applicant must be a citizen or passport holder of India.
• The applicants have to apply for an undergraduate programme at local universities in Singapore, i.e. National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore Management University (SMU) and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD).

How can you apply ?

The application can be done online with the following steps:

Step 1: Go to the website.

Step 2: Click on Apply/Login.

Step 3: You will be directed to this link.

Step 4: Now click on Registration For GKS, you will be directed to next step and now start filling the form by providing these details:

• A valid email address
• Personal and family members' particulars (e.g. Name, NRIC no., Date of Birth, Occupation)
• GCE O-level results
• Pre-tertiary academic results (e.g. High School, GCE A-level, International Baccalaureate Diploma; include only final examination results)
• University results for each semester (for current undergraduates)
• Co-curricular Activities records, prizes and awards
• University application and outcomes
• SAT results

Step 5: Now accept terms and conditions and submit.

FAQs

Q. When can I expect to know my application outcome?
A. All applicants will be notified by the end of May.

Q. Do I need to send hard copies of my supporting documents for my application?
A. No. We will contact you if we require them.

Q. I will not receive my official final year results before May should I still apply?
A. Yes, you may apply as long as your results will be available in time for the universities you applied to, to consider you for a place in Academic Year 2017/2018.

Q. Must I have secured a place in a Singapore university before applying for the Dr GKS Scholarship?
A. No. As long as you are going to, or have applied to a university in Singapore, you may apply for the scholarship. However, if you are offered the Dr GKS Scholarship, you will be expected to pursue your undergraduate studies in NUS, NTU, SMU or SUTD. If you are unable to obtain a place in NUS, NTU, SMU or SUTD, we will not be able to offer you a scholarship.

Q. Can the Dr Goh Keng Swee Scholarship Fund help me secure a place in a Singapore university?
A. No. You are required to submit your university applications separately and adhere to the respective university's admission deadlines and guidelines.

Q. I already have a degree, but intend to read a 2nd degree in a university in Singapore can I still apply for the scholarship?
A. Yes.

Q. Is the Dr GKS Scholarship offered to Masters/Ph.D students?
A. No, the Dr GKS Scholarship is for undergraduate studies only.

Q. I am already undertaking an undergraduate course in a Singapore university can I still apply for the scholarship?
A.Yes, you may apply before your final year of study.

Q. Do I need to take the pre-admission tests such as the SAT or TOEFL, to apply for the scholarship?
A. Only the SAT is required for the scholarship application. TOEFL may be required by your university application(s). Please check with the relevant university for more details.

Q. What is the SAT? Can I take other tests such as the TOEFL or ACT in place of the SAT?
A. The SAT is a standardised test which assesses your Reading, Writing and Mathematics skills. It is compulsory for you take the SAT in order to be considered for the Dr GKS Scholarship.

Q. How do I register for SAT? How do I know when the test dates are?
A. You may check the test dates available in your country on the College Board Website and register for a test through the website.

Q. I have missed the date to register for the SAT. Can I be exempted from taking the SAT?
A. As SAT is a requirement for the Dr GKS Scholarship, it is advisable to register and take the SAT early, in order for us to process your application.

Q. I have taken the SAT more than once. Can I combine the better scores of the different sections?
A. No, all sections have to be taken in one sitting. Combining section scores from different sittings is not allowed.

Q. What are the selection criteria for the Dr GKS Scholarship?
A. We assess applicants based on their overall academic and non-academic achievements.

Q. How many times do I have to travel to Singapore for assessments for my application?
A. If shortlisted, you will need to attend one interview in end-May, in Singapore, at your own expense.

Q. Do I have to travel to Singapore for a round of psychometric testing prior to being shortlisted?
A. No. We may however, require you to do an online assessment. You will be informed via email by April.

Q. I currently do not have a valid passport may I still apply?
A. While you may still apply at this point without a valid passport, you should find out about the passport application processes in your country (e.g. timelines). Eventually, you will need a valid passport to travel to Singapore to study at NUS, NTU, SMU or SUTD if you are offered the Dr GKS scholarship.

Q. Can the interview be conducted over Skype instead?
A. If you are shortlisted for an interview, it is preferable that you attend the interview in Singapore. However, we may consider interviews via Skype, on a case-by-case basis.

Q. What happens if I do not do well in university?
A. Your scholarship officer from the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) will track your progress in university. He or she will discuss with you the problems you face which may be hindering your development in university, and assist you as much as possible in overcoming them.

Q. Could I defer serving my bond, to read a Master's degree first?
A. You will be required to start work in an organisation approved by the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) upon completion of your undergraduate studies in order to fulfil the requirements and objectives of the scholarship.

Q. Will I be allowed to choose whether to work in a company of my choice in Singapore or a Singapore-based company in my home country?
A. You will have the option to seek suitable job openings in your desired organisation and propose it to your scholarship officer prior to deployment. Your proposal will be considered carefully before the final deployment outcome is determined.

Q. What are some examples of companies I may work for?
A. Dr GKS scholarship recipients have worked at DBS Bank (DBS), OCBC Bank (OCBC), United Overseas Bank (UOB), Standard Chartered Bank, Merrill Lynch, KPMG, amongst others. Scholarship recipients have also worked in organisations not related to the finance sector including the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore (URA), Proctor and Gamble, Oracle and CrimsonLogic.

Terms and Conditions

Shortlisted applicants will have to take an online personality test in March-April 2017. The selected candidate have to attend the final interview at Singapore in end of May 2017. The trip will be at the applicants' own expense. If applicants are unable to travel to Singapore, then alternative arrangements can made.

Important Links

• Latest scholarship link
• Apply online link
• Ask question