The Education Bureau today announced the launch of a series of support measures for the self-financing post-secondary education sector. The measures are designed to support its sustainable development and provide quality opportunities for students.

New rounds of the Land Grant Scheme and Start-up Loan Scheme are open for applications until March 31, 2025.

A land site located on Man Lai Road, Tai Wai, is available for applications under the Land Grant Scheme for the operation of locally accredited self-financing post-secondary programmes at sub-degree level or above by non-profit-making post-secondary institutions.

The site will be granted to the successful applicant at a nominal premium through a Private Treaty Grant. As the site will be handed over on an "as-is" basis, the successful applicant will be responsible for conducting any preliminary studies and carrying out all necessary works at its own expense.

Institutions may also apply for interest-free startup loans to develop campuses and/or student hostels for the operation of self-financing full-time locally accredited post-secondary programmes at the abovementioned site or other readily available sites.

Separately, a new round of the Enhancement & Start-up Grant Scheme for Self-financing Post-secondary Education is open for applications until April 23, 2025.

The scheme aims to provide financial support for eligible self-financing post-secondary institutions to develop and enhance programmes that meet market needs but require high startup costs, and to alleviate institutions' need to fully recover setup costs from tuition fees, thus relieving the financial burden on students.

It also supports institutions to better develop their own strengths and niche areas, enhancing strategic co-ordination among institutions. Funding for each proposal will generally be subject to a cap of $42 million.

In the 2023-24 round of applications to the scheme, three out of 11 applications were approved, with a total grant of about $92 million being dispensed. They cover the allied health, engineering and forensic psychology sectors, helping to meet the keen manpower demands of related industries.

The Committee on Self-financing Post-secondary Education will give advice to the Secretary for Education regarding the comparative merits of the applications received under the schemes.