Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme Now Open for Applications Until September 21

Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme open for applications

The Education Bureau (EDB) announced that the Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme (MUSSS) 2026/27 will be open for applications from eligible Hong Kong students from today (July 21) until September 21.

The Education Bureau, Photo source: reference image

A spokesman for the EDB said that MUSSS would benefit Hong Kong students pursuing undergraduate studies in 217 designated Chinese Mainland institutions, including 165 institutions participating in the Scheme for Admission of Hong Kong Students to Mainland Higher Education Institutions for the 2026/27 academic year.

Eligible students may apply for a means-tested subsidy (only for those students who have passed the means test) or a non-means-tested subsidy under MUSSS. The subsidy under MUSSS is granted on a yearly basis, and the subsidised period covers the normal duration of the undergraduate programme pursued by the student concerned in the designated Chinese Mainland institution. Eligible applicants may only receive either a means-tested subsidy or a non-means-tested subsidy in the same academic year. MUSSS is not subject to any quota. It is envisaged that MUSSS will benefit most Hong Kong students who are pursuing undergraduate studies on the Chinese Mainland and have different financial needs.

The subsidy under MUSSS will be disbursed based on the distance between the locations of the institutions and Hong Kong, which will be grouped into three categories. Details of the subsidy rates under the different categories are set out in the Annex.

Photo source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Details of MUSSS are available on the EDB website (www.edb.gov.hk/musss). Eligible students are required to submit their applications via the MUSSS Electronic Application Platform (musss.edb.gov.hk) or send the completed application forms by post to the EDB on or before September 21. The EDB expects to notify applicants of the application results in phases from the first quarter of 2027.

Photo source: reference image

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possesssing duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming female passenger was sentenced to two months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (July 21) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted an incoming 31-year-old Mainland female passenger at the Lo Wu Control Point on May 24 and seized 10 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her personal baggage. The duty-not-paid cigarettes had an estimated market value of about $41,000 and a duty potential of about $33,000. The female passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence, noting that even a first-time offender may still be imprisoned. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Members of the public should not defy the law.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

An incoming female passenger was sentenced to two months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (July 21) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases