There are differential composition (tuition) fees for local and non-local students. For local students, the composition fee for the academic year 2010-2011 is HK$42,100. The fee for 2011-2012 has yet to be decided on Government's advice, but we do not expect it to differ significantly from the current fee. Non-local students are persons entering Hong Kong for the purpose of education with a student visa/entry permit issued by the Director of Immigration. For non-local students, the composition fee for the academic year 2011-2012 will be HK$119,000.

In addition to the composition fee, all new students must pay a deposit of HK$350 known as 'caution money'. If there are no claims against the caution money, it will be used to pay their HK$350 graduation fee upon graduation, or will be refunded if they leave the University before graduation.

All new students will also have to pay an entrance fee HK$100 to the Students' Union and an annual subscription of HK$140. These fees may be revised upwards.

Besides budgeting for pocket money and travelling expenses, students should also allow for expenditure on textbooks, writing materials and, in some cases, items of equipment.

A number of financial assistance schemes are available to eligible local students:

Government Financial Assistance Scheme (exclusively for UGC funded programmes)

(1)	Tertiary Student Finance Scheme - Publicly-funded Programmes (TSFS) A means-tested grant and loan scheme run by the Government Student Financial Assistance Agency.
(2)	Non-means-tested Loan Scheme A student loan scheme run by the Government Student Financial Assistance Agency.

Eligible students with difficulties in financing their studies are strongly advised to apply to the above schemes. Details can be viewed online at http://www.sfaa.gov.hk.

University Financial Assistance

To supplement the Government schemes, the University also offers small scale means-tested financial assistance to local full-time students through CEDARS. For details, please visit the website at http://cedars.hku.hk.

There is also the First-in-the-Family Education Fund to enable financially needy first generation university students to take part in learning programmes outside classroom. For details, please visit the website at http://www.fife.hku.hk.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND PRIZES

The University has set up the "HKU Foundation Scholarships for Outstanding Students" for JUPAS candidates entering with outstanding HKALE results. Furthermore, the University has about 2,500 scholarships and prizes available for undergraduate students. The value of individual awards ranges from a few hundred dollars to around HK$100,000, and the combined value of awards reaches HK$29 million. These scholarships and prizes are awarded on both academic merit and/or other specific conditions stipulated by the donors.

Undergraduates can apply directly for scholarships which are advertised on the Faculty notice-boards and on the Student Intranet. For those scholarships which are not publicised, Heads of the applicable departments or Deans of Faculties will be invited to recommend suitable nominees for these awards.

Students are advised to check periodically the notices on the Faculty notice-boards and the e-notices on the University Intranet system via the HKU Portal for details of how to apply for the various scholarships during the year.