Should I take the Singapore Government Tuition Grant even though it involves a 3-year work bond after graduation?

The mentor said yes, take the tuition grant. The reduced fees alone make it financially worthwhile. But the more practical reason is the Employment Pass eligibility letter that graduates receive upon completing the degree under the grant. This letter means employers can hire you on a more flexible Employment Pass framework, with a lower salary threshold than the standard requirement for international hires in Singapore.

• With the subsidy, annual fees reportedly come down to roughly 10 to 12 lakhs per year, significantly less than full international fees.
• Employers are more willing to sponsor your work pass when you are already committed to three years in Singapore through the bond.
• Once you graduate, you are going to be looking for work anyway, the bond aligns with what most students who move to Singapore already intend to do.
• The bond can be deferred if the student wants to pursue a further master's degree before starting the bond period.