Continuing Education Fund

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 on successful completion of CEF reimbursable courses up to a maximum sum of HK$25,000. 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 fee¹ and that for the remaining HK$15,000 subsidy is 40% of the course fee.

Only continuing education and training courses registered under CEF as “reimbursable courses” are eligible for fee reimbursement. A list of the reimbursable courses can be obtained from the CEF website, or Office of the CEF

Reimbursable Expenses

• CEF course fees;
• (if applicable) Eligible applicant can apply for fees reimbursement upon the successful completion of a CEF reimbursable course and pass a specified language benchmark test / examination at the specified (or higher) level in respect of a language proficiency course.
• Any other fees, such as late charges and change of course fee charges, etc. are not reimbursable.

Eligibility

Persons who meet the following eligibility criteria can apply for CEF –

1. are Hong Kong residents who have the right of abode or the right to land or to remain in Hong Kong without restriction, i.e. “A” (right of abode), “R” (right to land) or “U” (remain in Hong Kong without restriction) should appear below the date of birth on the HK Smart Identity Card, or holders of One-way Permit from the Mainland China. For details of the meaning of symbols, please visit the website of the Immigration Department;
2. are aged 18 or above at the time when the CEF reimbursable course commenced.

Applicants must not have obtained any other public funds or assistance under any other publicly-funded financial assistance schemes for the same course.

Application Method

Applicants can submit either paper-based or electronic applications.

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 fulfills the eligibility requirements for claiming reimbursement from CEF. All provisions in the Guidance Notes shall be read subject to this section.

For details, please refer to the website of Continuing Education Fund.

Sources: Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency

¹ Course fees refer to tuition fees and examination fees for taking designated benchmark tests / examinations (if applicable) in respect of language proficiency courses (please refer to the Guidance Notes for Application under CEF for details). Any other fees, such as late charges and change of course charges, etc. are not reimbursable.