Contents
Introduction
The Continuing Education Fund (CEF) subsidises adults with learning aspirations to pursue continuing education and training. Eligible applicants may submit unlimited number of claims for reimbursement of fees up to a maximum sum of HK$25,000 within one year upon successful completion of CEF reimbursable courses . The co-payment ratios by learners (i.e. the percentage of fees to be borne by learners) for the first HK$10,000 subsidy is 20% of the course fee and that for the second HK$15,000 subsidy is 40% of the course fee.
For applicants who have opened a CEF account before 1 August 2022, they are also eligible for claiming the additional HK$5,000*subsidy and the unused balance (if any) of the original subsidy of HK$20,000 regardless of whether their accounts were closed in the past. The co-payment ratios are same as above.
*The new enhancement measures are applicable only for courses commencing on or after 1 August 2022.
Reimbursable Courses in SSI
- Six Sigma Black Belt Certification Programme (Course code: 21C039314)
- Six Sigma Green Belt (Course code 21C076325)
A list of the reimbursable courses can be obtained from the CEF website.
Example 1:
Account balance: $7,500
[Note: $2,500 before implementation of the new enhancement measures, plus the additional new subsidy of $5,000]
Fee of the Green Belt course (commencing on or after 1 August 2022) for which reimbursement is sought: $6,400
| Increased subsidy ceiling to $25,000 | Unused balance in account | Co-payment ratio by learner | Course fee to be borne by learner concerned | Course fee to be subsidised by the Government | Account balance after disbursement of subsidy |
| The first $10,000 | $0 (Used) | 20% | — | — | — |
| The remaining $15,000 | $7,500 | 40% | $2,560 | $3,840 | $3,660 |
| Total | = $2,560 | = $3,840 | = $3,660 | ||
Example 2:
Account balance: $18,000
[Note: $13,000 before implementation of the new enhancement measures, plus the additional new subsidy of $5,000]
Fee of the Black Belt course (commencing on or after 1 August 2022) for which reimbursement is sought: $26,600
| Increased subsidy ceiling to $25,000 | Unused balance in account | Co-payment ratio by learner | Course fee to be borne by learner concerned | Course fee to be subsidised by the Government | Account balance after disbursement of subsidy |
| The first $10,000 | $3,000 | 20% | $750 | $3,000 | $0 |
| The remaining $15,000 | $15,000 | 40% | $9,140 | $13,710 | $1,290 |
| Total | = $9,890 | = $16,710 | = $1,290 | ||
Example 3:
Account balance: $25,000
[Note: $20,000 before implementation of the new enhancement measures, plus the additional new subsidy of $5,000]
Fee of the Green Belt & Black Belt course (commencing on or after 1 August 2022) for which reimbursement is sought: $33,000
| Increased subsidy ceiling to $25,000 | Unused balance in account | Co-payment ratio by learner | Course fee to be borne by learner concerned | Course fee to be subsidised by the Government | Account balance after disbursement of subsidy |
| The first $10,000 | $10,000 | 20% | $2,500 | $10,000 | $0 |
| The remaining $15,000 | $15,000 | 40% | $8,200 | $12,300 | $2,700 |
| Total | = $10,700 | = $22,300 | = $2,700 | ||
[Note: The learner may continue to enroll in another CEF course and claim reimbursement from the account balance in accordance with the requirements.]
Eligibility
Persons who meet the following criteria can apply for CEF:
- A Hong Kong resident who has the right of abode or the right to land or to remain in Hong Kong without restriction, or a holder of one-way permit from Mainland China,
- at the time of application, and on seeking reimbursement of the tuition fee has paid the tuition fee for a CEF course;
- Have not obtained any other public funds or assistance under any other publicly-funded financial assistance schemes for the same course.
- has successfully completed a CEF course and attended no less than 70% of the contactable hours of the course or such higher attendance requirement as prescribed for the course (whichever is higher).
Application Procedures for Opening a CEF Account and Fee Reimbursement
Applicants do not need to submit any document before class commencement.
They must submit the completed CEF Application Form [SFO313 (2022)] together with the required institutional certification and supporting documents to the Office of the Continuing Education Fund (OCEF) within one year upon successful completion of a CEF Course* Late applications will not be accepted by the Government.
The CEF Application Form [SFO313 (2022)] can be obtained from SSI, District Offices, the OCEF, or downloaded from here.Or you may download filled details form as below Green Belt | Black Belt
The properly filled in Application Form must first be certified by SSI after course completion by following the procedure stated below.
- Successful completion of a CEF course” means that the applicant must have attended no less than 70% of the contactable hours of the course or such higher attendance requirement as prescribed for the course (whichever is higher), percentage of assessment(s) as prescribed for the course
- Please refer to the Guidance Notes for Application[SFO 312_E (2022)] when completing the application form.
Remark: the CEF Institutional Code of SSI is “ 616″. - Complete the CEF Application Form
View the necessary information for filling the SFO 313 (2022) application form
Or you may download filled details form as below Green Belt | Black Belt - The following information should be filled by referring to the “Proof of Completion of Course” document issued by SSI:
(i) CEF Course Code
(ii) CEF Course Title
(iii) Commencement Date
(iv) Course Completion Date
(v) Date of 1st Instalment of Tuition Fee Paid
(vi) Actual Amount of Tuition Fee Paid
- Enclose the documents set out at paragraph (6) in envelope and forward the envelope to SSI:
- Inside the envelope should include following items:
(i) A returned self-addressed envelope with adequate postage paid (Please affix postage stamp of not less than HK$5 in value); and
(ii) The duly completed CEF Application Form. - SSI will return the institution certified CEF Application Form to the applicant within Three working days by post.
- The completed and institution certified CEF Application form^, together with a copy of the following documents
(i) Hong Kong Smart Identity Card;
(ii) One-way permit (if applicable);
(iii) Proof of Completion of Course (POC)
(iv) Course Passing Certificate
(v) Front page of a bank passbook/statement showing the applicant’s name, account number and bank name/ bank code.
Should be submitted by post or in person within one year upon successful completion of the CEF Course to:
The Office of the Continuing Education Fund (OCEF)
Units 07-11, 25/F., CDW Building
388 Castle Peak Road
Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong
Applicants may also place their applications in the drop-in box on 12/F or G/F., Cheung Shan Wan Government Offices. Late applications will not be accepted by the Government.
^Scanned or faxed copies of the completed CEF Application Form are not acceptable.
For applications containing complete information, application results will normally be released by the OCEF not more than eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of applications.
Note:
- Applications are processed subject to availability of funds. In the event that CEF no longer has funds available when an applicant submits an application, the application will not be approved regardless of whether the applicant fulfils the eligibility requirements for claiming reimbursement from CEF.
- Applicants must be submitted and the application must be submitted within one year upon the successful completion of the course. Late applications will not be accepted.
- The date of receipt of the application by OCEF will be taken as the date of application submitted.
Notification of CEF Account Opening Results
For further information, please check the official website of CEF;
for course related, please contact our office: [email protected]/ +852 25812771.
Last update on 22 August 2022
