SINGAPORE- Media OutReach Newswire – 9 December 2025 – Higher education is a significant investment, and for many families, the cost can feel overwhelming. In Singapore, where tuition fees and living expenses continue to rise, financial aid is more than just a safety net, it’s a lifeline. While scholarships often dominate headlines, grants are equally crucial. They provide need-based support without repayment obligations, helping students stay focused on their studies rather than financial stress.

At SIM, financial assistance is designed to be inclusive and responsive, offering a mix of grants for those in need and scholarships for high achievers. This article breaks down SIM’s grant options, explains how they differ from scholarships, and guides you through the application process.

Why Grants Matter

Grants are not loans, they never require repayment, making them a vital tool for educational access. For students from low-income families or those facing sudden hardship, grants can mean the difference between continuing studies and dropping out. Unlike scholarships, which reward merit, grants focus on equity and inclusivity, ensuring financial challenges don’t block opportunity.

They also provide quick relief during crises such as job loss or medical emergencies, offering flexibility that scholarships often lack. Ultimately, grants empower students to learn without the burden of debt, reflecting SIM’s commitment to fairness and social mobility.

SIM’s Key Grant Options

SIM offers a range of financial aid programs designed to support students through different circumstances. The Enhanced Financial Aid Grant is one of the most significant initiatives, providing up to S$13,500 annually for Singapore Citizens and S$6,000 for Permanent Residents. Eligibility is determined by Per Capita Income (PCI) tiers, ensuring that assistance reaches families who need it most. This grant is ideal for students from low-income households enrolled in SIM Global Education programs.

For students facing sudden financial hardship such as job loss, medical emergencies, or unexpected family crises, the SIM GE Crisis Fund provides timely relief. This emergency grant offers up to S$5,000 per student, with applications processed quarterly to ensure quick disbursement. The fund is designed to help students stay on track academically during unforeseen challenges without the added stress of financial instability.

In addition to these targeted grants, SIM introduced the SIM Impact Fund in 2024, a bold initiative backed by a S$60 million budget. This fund aims to benefit students annually through bursaries, scholarships, and experiential learning opportunities such as overseas exchanges and internships. By combining financial support with career development, the Impact Fund reflects SIM’s commitment to holistic student success.

Grants vs Scholarships: At a Glance

Grants and scholarships serve different purposes in SIM’s financial aid ecosystem. Grants are primarily need-based, awarded to students who face financial challenges, and they never require repayment. Applications for grants are accepted year-round, offering flexibility for those who need immediate assistance. In contrast, scholarships are merit-based, recognizing academic excellence, leadership, or talent in areas such as sports and the arts. Like grants, scholarships do not require repayment, but they follow fixed application windows and are highly competitive.

How to Apply

Applying for SIM’s financial aid is a straightforward process managed through SIMConnect, the official student portal. Students can submit applications for grants and bursaries during any of the four quarterly cycles (March, June, September, and December) giving flexibility throughout the academic year. To ensure eligibility, applicants must prepare supporting documents such as proof of household income (e.g., CPF statements, Notice of Assessment, or payslips) and evidence of financial hardship for emergency grants. The process is designed to be transparent and efficient, with clear guidelines available online.

Final Thought

SIM’s financial support ecosystem is more than a set of programs, it’s a commitment to educational equity. By balancing need-based grants with merit-based scholarships, SIM ensures that financial circumstances never become a barrier to learning. Grants provide immediate relief for students in crisis and sustained assistance for those from low-income families, while scholarships celebrate academic excellence and talent. Together, these initiatives reflect SIM’s belief that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of background. Whether you’re navigating unexpected financial challenges or striving for recognition through achievement, SIM offers a clear path forward because no student should be left behind.

References:

1. Bursaries & Financial Aid (Enhanced) – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/admissions/bursaries-and-financial-aids
2. SIM GE Crisis Fund – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/admissions/bursaries-and-financial-aids/sim-ge-crisis-fund
3. SIM students from lower-income families to get financial aid with new $60m school fund – https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/sim-students-from-lower-income-families-get-financial-help-with-new-60m-school-fund

Hashtag: #SIMGlobalEducation #SIMGE #GlobalEducation #InternationalDegree #CareerReady #FutureSkills

https://www.sim.edu.sg/

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About SIM Global Education

SIM Global Education (SIM GE) is a leading private education institution in Singapore and the region. We offer more than 140 academic programmes ranging from diplomas and graduate diploma programmes to bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes with some of the world’s most reputable universities from Australia, Canada, Europe, United Kingdom, and the United States. SIM GE’s cohort is made up of 16,000 full- and part-time students and adult learners, of which approximately 36% are international students hailing from over 50 countries.

SIM GE’s holistic learning approach and culturally diverse learning environment aim to equip students with knowledge, industry skills and employability competencies, as well as a global perspective to succeed as future leaders in a fast-changing, technologically driven world.

For more information on SIM Global Education, visit sim.edu.sg

New signing reinforces Dusit’s long-term commitment to expanding its footprint across the Philippines’ most promising destinations

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 December 2025 – Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has signed a Hotel Management Agreement with Earth & Shore Leisure Communities Corporation, a prominent real estate and land-development company in the Philippines, to operate ASAI Camaya Coast, a new 150-key lifestyle hotel set to open in 2029 within the expansive and fast-evolving 20 million sq m Camaya Coast development in Mariveles, Bataan.

The signing marks a strategic milestone for Dusit as it continues to grow its presence in the Philippines, introducing its ASAI Hotels brand to one of the country’s fastest-rising destinations for domestic tourism and short-break escapes from Metro Manila – just four hours by car or approximately 90 minutes via the Manila–Camaya ferry.

According to the Provincial Tourism Office, Bataan welcomed 1,237,611 visitors in 2024 – a 41.16% increase from the previous year, driven by the province’s rich WWII heritage, scenic beaches, and growing eco-tourism appeal. Against this backdrop of rising demand, and supported by new leisure offerings, residential communities, entertainment facilities, and infrastructure upgrades such as the upcoming Camaya Airport, the Earth & Shore-led Camaya Coast development is well-placed to attract even more domestic and international travellers to the region.

At the heart of this evolving landscape, ASAI Camaya Coast will become the first ASAI Hotels branded property to be located within a large-scale, master-planned seaside development. The hotel will offer convenient access to vibrant dining and retail areas, outdoor activity hubs, a water park, an 18-hole golf course, expansive event spaces, and the township’s signature white-sand beach and crystal-clear waters.

Building on the brand’s early success in urban destinations such as Bangkok, Thailand, and Kyoto, Japan – and reflecting ASAI’s focus on compact-yet-thoughtfully designed rooms, energising social spaces, and locally inspired dining and immersive cultural experiences – the new property promises to deliver a relaxed, creative, and community-driven environment tailored to millennial-minded travellers seeking meaningful coastal stays.

Camaya Coast’s natural environment is also central to its sustainability-led vision. A significant portion of the development is being preserved as natural forest, home to fruit trees, orchids, and wildlife such as wild goats, wild boars, and exotic birds. This nature-first approach aligns closely with Dusit’s sustainability framework, Tree of Life, and will support ASAI’s ability to curate eco-friendly activities inspired by the locale and its verdant surroundings.

“Camaya Coast is one of the most compelling leisure destinations emerging in the Philippines today, and we are delighted to introduce ASAI Hotels to this dynamic setting,” said Gilles Cretallaz, Chief Operating Officer, Dusit International. “With visitor arrivals in Bataan showing exceptionally strong growth, and with the township set to benefit from expanded infrastructure and improved connectivity, we see tremendous long-term potential for creating memorable guest experiences rooted in community, culture, and the natural environment. ASAI Camaya Coast will bring a fresh, vibrant energy to the destination, and we are deeply grateful to Earth & Shore Leisure Communities Corporation for their trust and partnership.”

Manuel Carlos L. Ilagan Jr., President, Earth & Shore Leisure Communities Corporation, said, “We see Camaya Coast as a game-changing development for Bataan, and we are proud to welcome a hospitality group that shares our passion for creating memorable, community-centred destinations. Dusit’s distinctive Thai-inspired gracious hospitality and ASAI Hotels’ youthful, energetic approach will complement the natural beauty and vibrancy of Bataan, while supporting our goal of shaping Camaya Coast into a welcoming seaside township that business and leisure travellers, multigenerational families, and long-term residents can enjoy for generations. We look forward to a strong and successful collaboration.”

Dusit is already well established in the Philippines, where it currently operates five properties, including Dusit Thani Manila, Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort, Dusit Thani Residence Davao, dusitD2 Davao, and Dusit Thani Lubi Plantation Resort. The company is now preparing for continued expansion with several new openings planned from 2026 onwards. These include Dusit Hotel Greenhills Manila, an upper-upscale property atop the landmark 50-storey Primex Tower; Plaza de Zamboanga – Dusit Collection, which will revive a classic Leandro Locsin-designed hotel under Dusit’s luxury boutique brand; and the first Dusit Princess hotels in the country at Lipa and Cebu City. Additional properties, including ASAI Oslob Cebu and dusitD2 Residences Cebu City, are scheduled to follow in 2027.
Hashtag: #DusitHotels #LuxuryHotels

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Dusit International

Established in 1949, Dusit International or Dusit Thani Public Company Limited (DUSIT) is a leading hospitality group listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Its operations comprise five distinct yet complementary business units: Dusit Hotels and Resorts, Dusit Hospitality Education, Dusit Foods, Dusit Estate, and Hospitality-Related Services.

Dusit International‘s diversified investments in real estate development, hospitality-related services, and the food sector are part of its long-term strategy for sustainable growth, which focuses on three key areas: balance, expansion and diversification.

For more information, please visit dusit-international.com

About Dusit Hotels and Resorts

Dusit Hotels and Resorts is the hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies. With a heartfelt belief and commitment to introducing Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to the world, Dusit Hotels and Resorts offers guests a uniquely special stay in high-style surroundings and a personalised approach to service. The group’s portfolio of hotels, resorts and luxury villas includes close to 300 properties operating under a total of nine brands (Devarana – Dusit Retreats, Dusit Thani, Dusit Suites, Dusit Collection, Dusit Hotels, dusitD2, Dusit Princess, ASAI Hotels, and Elite Havens) across 18 countries worldwide.

For more information, please visit dusit.com

Sanrio Character Park Harmonyland (Oita) Opens New Greeting Facility

TAMA CITY, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 December 2025 – Sanrio Puroland (Tama City, Tokyo; “Puroland”), a fully indoor theme park operated by Sanrio Entertainment Co., Ltd. (headquarters: Tama City, Tokyo; President and CEO: Aya Komaki), celebrated its 35th anniversary on December 7, 2025, and debuted its new main parade, The Quest of Wonders Parade. The story begins with Hello Kitty finding a mythical book about a “treasure that brings eternal happiness.” Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin, Kuromi, and their friends set off on a delightful adventure in search of this “treasure of happiness.” The parade is an immersive experience featuring sparkling illumination, enchanting music, splendid floats and costumes, and Wonder Ribbon Lights—props held by guests.

As a fully indoor theme park, Puroland offers an enjoyable experience year-round, unaffected by weather, temperature, or humidity, giving parents peace of mind when visiting with small children. The park allows guests to immerse themselves in the world of Sanrio through live shows and attractions. Puroland also presents the musical KAWAII KABUKI Momotarō by the Hello Kitty Troupe, which blends the “kawaii” charm of Sanrio characters with traditional Kabuki theater, and beyond words, a non-verbal show featuring My Melody and Kuromi that transcends language barriers for audiences of all ages and nationalities.

The Sanrio Character Park Harmonyland (“Harmonyland”) in Hiji Town, Oita, is a beloved outdoor theme park where guests can enjoy character greetings and seasonal shows while surrounded by Oita’s natural beauty. In July 2025, Harmonyland opened a new greeting facility, CHARACTER GREETING FUN STUDIO, where My Melody and other beloved characters greet guests in a photo studio-style setting for memorable photo sessions and friendly interactions.

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Links:
Sanrio Puroland official website: https://en.puroland.jp/language/
Sanrio Character Park Harmonyland official website: https://www.harmonyland.jp/

*When using image materials, please be sure to include the copyright notice.
© 2025 SANRIO CO., LTD. TOKYO, JAPAN Copyright: Sanrio Co., Ltd.

*Images are for illustrative purposes only.
*The content of this release, including images, is current as of December 9, 2025, and may be subject to change.

Hashtag: #Sanrio

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.