Last updated: 11 November 2026
Three schemes can lower the same course fee for one learner: the SSG/SWDA course fee subsidy, SkillsFuture Credit (SFC) and the NTUC Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP). Each works on the amount the one before it leaves behind, so the order decides what you pay. SSG is SkillsFuture Singapore, now part of the Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA).
In what order do the schemes apply?
- The SSG/SWDA course fee subsidy comes first. It is applied to the fee of an approved course, and what is left is your net fee. GoBusiness, the government’s business portal, lists funding of up to 70% for Continuing Education and Training (CET) Centre courses and up to 50% for certifiable courses.
- SFC comes second. The MySkillsFuture portal says the base tier credit can be used on top of existing course fee subsidies, and you submit the claim online before the course starts.
- UTAP comes last. NTUC calculates it on the unfunded fee that remains, and you claim within six months of completing the course.
GST sits outside this order. It is based on the full course fee at 9% and is not covered by subsidies, so it is added on top of what you owe.
Who can use each scheme?
| Scheme | Who it is for | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| SSG/SWDA course fee subsidy | Learners on eligible, approved courses | A share of the course fee, taken off before anything else |
| SFC, base tier | Singapore Citizens aged 25 and above | S$500 that does not expire, usable on courses listed on the MySkillsFuture portal |
| SFC, mid-career tier | Singapore Citizens aged 40 and above | S$4,000 that does not expire, usable on selected courses only |
| UTAP | Full NTUC members | 50% of the unfunded fee on supported courses, up to S$250 a year (S$500 for members aged 40 and above) |
The mid-career tier covers selected courses, such as institute of higher learning qualifications and SkillsFuture Career Transition Programmes, so a short course may qualify only for the base tier. Check the credit eligibility shown for your course on the MySkillsFuture portal. UTAP also needs the course to be on NTUC’s supported course list and an attendance of at least 75%.
Worked example: one course, three learners
The figures below are made up for illustration. They do not describe a real course or a QD Academy fee, and the subsidy rate depends on the course. Each learner takes a S$3,000 course with a 50% subsidy and uses the S$500 base tier of SFC.
| Step | Citizen aged 30, not an NTUC member | Citizen aged 30, NTUC member | Citizen aged 45, NTUC member |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full course fee | S$3,000 | S$3,000 | S$3,000 |
| SSG/SWDA subsidy (50% in this example) | minus S$1,500 | minus S$1,500 | minus S$1,500 |
| Net fee | S$1,500 | S$1,500 | S$1,500 |
| SFC applied | minus S$500 | minus S$500 | minus S$500 |
| Fee left after the credit | S$1,000 | S$1,000 | S$1,000 |
| UTAP (50% of the fee left, within the yearly cap) | none | minus S$250 | minus S$500 |
| You pay | S$1,000 | S$750 | S$500 |
Half of the S$1,000 left is S$500, so the yearly cap decides the UTAP amount: it limits the member under 40 to S$250 and lets the member aged 40 and above receive the full S$500.
The figures leave out GST. GST is based on the full course fee at 9% and is not covered by subsidies, so on this S$3,000 course the GST is S$270, payable on top of the amounts above.
What should you do before you enrol?
- Ask the provider for a written fee breakdown that shows the full fee, the subsidy and the net fee. Our guide on how to check whether a course is funded lists the questions to ask.
- Log in to MySkillsFuture with Singpass to check your SFC balance, then submit the credit claim online before the course starts.
- If you are an NTUC member, check the course against the UTAP supported course list.
- After the course, keep your invoice and attendance record, and submit the UTAP claim within six months.
The SkillsFuture FAQ on ask.gov.sg says SFC cannot pay a training provider’s registration, course withdrawal or administration charges, so ask whether any apply.
What else might apply?
Young Singapore Citizens who hold a Post-Secondary Education Account can use it for approved programmes at approved institutions, and our PSEA guide explains how. Singapore Citizens aged 40 and above can also see higher course fee subsidy rates on eligible courses under the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy. The rate depends on the course, and our courses are not eligible for it. Employers who send staff on training have their own schemes, which the guide to funding for AI and skills training in Singapore compares.
For the details of each scheme, read our guides to the SSG/SWDA course fee subsidy and net fee, NTUC UTAP and the SkillsFuture Credit guide.
Check your combination with our team
QD Academy’s courses are taught by practitioners and funded for eligible learners. Our team checks which schemes apply to you and helps with the paperwork and claims for our own courses. See the Grants and Subsidies page for our calculators, or open a course page: Developing an Effective Customer Journey Map Using AI and Automation, AI-Powered Productivity Strategies for the Modern Workplace or Mastering AI for Sales Growth and Team Dynamics. Check the course page for the latest dates, fees and funding.
Can I use SkillsFuture Credit and UTAP on the same course?
Yes. NTUC calculates UTAP on the fee left after the SSG/SWDA subsidy and any SFC, so the two work together when you qualify for both.
Which scheme do I claim first?
Claim SFC online before the course starts. UTAP comes after the course, within six months of completing it, and needs at least 75% attendance.
Can I use the mid-career SkillsFuture Credit on any course?
No. The S$4,000 mid-career tier covers selected courses only, so check the credit eligibility shown for your course on the MySkillsFuture portal. The S$500 base tier can be used on courses listed on the portal.
Do the schemes cover GST?
GST is based on the full course fee at 9% and is not covered by subsidies, so budget for it on top of the fee you owe.
Can I use SkillsFuture Credit if I am under 25?
SFC is for Singapore Citizens aged 25 and above. Younger Singapore Citizens may be able to use a Post-Secondary Education Account instead, and our PSEA guide explains how it works.