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Ascendo Academy

Funding & Subsidies

Funding & Subsidies

Most Ascendo Academy courses are funded by the Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA), so you pay much less than the full course fee. Below is a quick guide to the main funding schemes for individuals and companies. The exact fee after funding is shown on each course page, and our team can help you work out what applies to you.

Last updated: October 2026. Funding rules can change, so please check the official links below for the latest details.

For individuals

SWDA course fee funding

Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents can receive SWDA course fee funding on eligible courses, with funding of up to 70% on Ascendo courses depending on your eligibility. The funding is deducted automatically, so you only pay the nett fee shown on the course page.

SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy

Singapore Citizens aged 40 and above receive the higher funding rate, which is up to 70% of the course fee on Ascendo courses.

SkillsFuture Credit

  • SkillsFuture Credit: Singapore Citizens receive $500 at age 25. It does not expire and can be used to pay the remaining fee for eligible courses, including Ascendo courses.
  • SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career): Singapore Citizens aged 40 and above receive an extra $4,000 that can be used on a selected list of courses with stronger career outcomes.
  • Check your balance and claim at MySkillsFuture.

Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA)

Ascendo Academy accepts PSEA for eligible courses. Singapore Citizens with a PSEA balance can use it to pay the remaining course fee. Please check your balance and eligibility with the Ministry of Education before enrolling.

For companies

Enhanced Training Support for SMEs (ETSS)

SMEs that sponsor their employees (Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents) for SWDA-funded courses can receive the higher funding rate, which is up to 70% of the course fee on Ascendo courses. A company counts as an SME if it has 200 or fewer employees, or annual sales of $100 million or less. The company must pay the course fee in full.

Absentee Payroll Funding

Employers who sponsor staff for SWDA-funded courses can claim Absentee Payroll funding of $4.50 per training hour, capped at $100,000 per company per calendar year, to offset salary costs while staff are in training.

SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC)

Eligible employers received a one-off credit of up to $10,000 to cover up to 90% of out-of-pocket costs for training and transformation. The current SFEC expires on 30 November 2026, so training must be completed and claimed by then. A redesigned SFEC, run by SWDA, is planned from 1 December 2026. Read more about SFEC.

Enterprise Development Grant (EDG)

The Enterprise Development Grant by Enterprise Singapore supports projects that help companies upgrade, innovate or grow overseas, including core capabilities such as human capital development and service excellence. It covers up to 50% of qualifying costs for SMEs and up to 30% for larger companies. Companies must be registered and operating in Singapore, with at least 30% local shareholding. Apply through the Business Grants Portal.

Need help with funding?

Our team can help you check which schemes apply to you or your company. Contact us or WhatsApp us at 8913 3109.

Official sources: MySkillsFuture · SWDA · GoBusiness · Enterprise Singapore · MOE