Beginning this year, the scheme will be extended to students attending full-time courses at the Hongkong Technical College (Chai Wan) and the Hongkong Technical College (Tsing Yi).

Applicants must either have the right of abode in Hongkong or have resided or had their home in Hongkong continuously for at least three years immediately prior to the start of their courses.

Post-graduate students and students taking higher degree or diploma courses who will not have exceeded their minimum prescribed period of registration by September 30 are also eligible to apply.

The minimum period of registration for a Master's degree is normally two years and for a Doctor of Philosophy degree, three years.

Prospective students who satisfy the entrance requirements of, and have applied for admission to the University of Hongkong may obtain application forms from the institute on production of the result slips of their Advanced Level Examination.

They should, however, submit their applications only after they have been offered admission.

New students admitted by the City Polytechnic of Hongkong, the Hongkong Baptist College, the Hongkong Polytechnic, Lingnan College, the Chinese University of Hongkong, the Hongkong University of Hongkong, the Hongkong University of Science and Technology, the Hongkong Technical College (Chai Wan) and the Hongkong Technical College (Tsing Yi) may obtain application forms from the institutions concerned at the time of registration.

Applicants who wish to apply for student travel subsidy should do so by completing the appropriate section in the same application form.

The closing date for applications is April 26 for current students.

For new students at the Chinese University of Hongkong and the Hongkong University of Science & Technology, the application deadline is September 10.

For new students at the Hongkong Baptist College, the Hongkong Polytechnic and Lingnan College, the deadline is October 8.

For newcomers at the City Polytechnic of Hongkong, the application deadline is the second Friday after the start of the first school term (93-94). For University of Hongkong new students, the application deadline is 21 days from the date of offer of admission.

For new students at Hongkong Technical College (Chai Wan) and Hongkong Technical College (Tsing Yi), the deadline is two weeks after the start of the first school term (93-94).

Financial assistance for applicants is assessed on the basis of their family income and assets.

For more information, contact the Student Financial Assistance Agency at Queensway government Offices, Low Block, Ground Floor, 66 Queensway, Hongkong or call 8672738 before Saturday.

After Saturday, the office will be moved to 9/F, National Mutual Centre, 151 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hongkong (Tel: 8021666).