Guide for CEF Application | Popular CEF Courses | Claiming Deduction for Expenses of Self-Education | Promise HK

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Guide for CEF Application | Popular CEF Courses | Claiming Deduction for Expenses of Self-Education

Guide for CEF Application | Popular CEF Courses | Claiming Deduction for Expenses of Self-Education Guide for CEF Application | Popular CEF Courses | Claiming Deduction for Expenses of Self-Education

The subsidy ceiling of the Continuing Education Fund (CEF) has been increased to HK$25,000 per applicant, allowing us to apply eligible courses to improve ourselves and explore more possibilities. If you want to make use of this subsidy to enrich your life experiences, pay attention to this article! You can learn more about the eligibility and process for applying CEF, some popular CEF courses, and details of claiming deductions for expenses of self-education.

What is Continuing Education Fund (CEF)?

Continuing Education Fund (CEF) provides financial assistance for adults who are interested in continuing education and training. After completing the CEF courses, individuals can apply for a subsidy up to HK$25,000, with unlimited number of claims. Also, there are no restrictions on the validity period or applicant's upper age limit.

CEF Eligibility Requirement

  • Must be aged 18 or above at the time when the CEF reimbursable course commenced.
  • Must be Hong Kong residents who have the right of abode or the right to land or to remain in Hong Kong without restriction.
  • Applicants must not have received any subsidy for the same course, module, or credit, or received any funding from other public funding schemes.

Level of CEF Financial Assistance

For the first HK$10,000 subsidy, eligible applicants are required to bear 20% of the course fees. For the remaining HK$15,000 subsidy, eligible applicants are required to bear 40% of the course fees. The CEF allows individuals to apply for a maximum subsidy amount of HK$25,000 with unlimited number of claims.

CEF Application Procedures

CEF Application Procedures

1. Paper-based application
Step 1: Obtain the application form by visiting the Office of the Continuing Education Fund (OCEF) or the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres, or by downloading from the OCEF official website.
Step 2: Submit the completed original application form with certification by institution / course provider, along with the copies of required document, through one of the following methods:

By post or submit in person to OCEF counter:
Address: Units 07-11, 25/F, CDW Building, 388 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan, New Territories

By using the drop-in boxes at the following locations:
11/F Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, Student Finance Office
Address: Student Finance Office, 11/F Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon
Opening hours: Mondays to Fridays (except public holidays), 8:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.

G/F lift lobby of Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices
Address: G/F lift lobby, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon
Opening hours: Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays (whole day)

Near the main entrance of the Office of the Continuing Education Fund
Address: Units 07-11, 25/F, CDW Building, 388 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan, New Territories
Opening hours: Mondays to Sundays, 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

2. Electronic application
Step 1: Fill in and submit the electronic application form through "GovHK" online platform.
Step 2: After submitting the application form and required documents through "GovHK" successfully, print out the application form and sign the declaration section at Part D. Or you can print out the application form that has been digitally signed by using "iAM Smart" mobile app.
Step 3: Submit the signed form to the institution / course provider concerned for certification to prove that the applicants have successfully completed the relevant course(s).
Step 4: Submit the signed and certified original application form to OCEF within one month after the online submission.

Visit CEF official website for more details of CEF application process.

Popular CEF Courses

Popular CEF Courses

Popular CEF Courses 1: Yoga Teacher Training
This course covers various yoga poses and teaching methods, as well as professional training and instructional techniques. It also includes practical training and internship opportunities. After completion of the course, participants may obtain necessary skills to become a yoga teacher. The tuition fee for this course is approximately HK$31,000.

Popular CEF Courses 2: Private Car / Light Goods Vehicle Driving Couse
This course will be divided into three parts: Road Users' Code and Theory Test Preparation, Comprehensive Driving Application and Road Test Preparation, and Driving Skills Enhancement and Professional Driver Practices. Participants are required to pass a graduation examination at the end of the course. The tuition fee for this course is approximately HK$19,000.

Apart from the above short-term CEF courses, there are also some CEF courses with longer durations, such as the Diploma in Acupuncture and Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education, which may be suitable for individuals considering a career change. However, the tuition fees for these courses are generally higher than those short-term courses. The above mentioned courses require approximately HK$56,000 and HK$130,000 respectively. For the latest information of eligible CEF courses, please refer to Course Search Engine.

Although these CEF courses are professional and practical, the tuition fees of some courses are relatively high, ranging from ten thousands to over a hundred thousand Hong Kong Dollars. Moreover, according to the application process of CEF, students can only apply for reimbursement after completing the course and meeting the eligibility criteria. Receive funding after completing the course may cause a financial burden to those who are eager to pursue continuing education. If you are interested in enrolling into a course but with a tight budget, you may consider to apply Promise Instant Personal Loan.

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Recognizing your own interests is a significant step towards success. Taking short-term or advanced courses can help you to implement an enhancement plan, which may benefit your career or personal life in a long run. Don't hesitate! Learn more details of CEF Course List now!

Please refer to below introduction for more details of deductions for expenses of self-education.

Deduction for Expenses of Self-Education

Is there any deductions for the expenses of self-education? YES! You may claim deduction under the Salaries Tax for self-education expenses, including tuition fees and related examination costs. However, these expenses must be used for studying specified educational courses to maintain or acquire qualifications for your current or future employment. For example, management courses taken by business executives, commercial or computer courses taken by secretaries or clerks, vocational training courses taken by technicians, and professional development seminars attended by accountants or lawyers. For more detailed information about the courses which are eligible for deductions for the expenses of self-education, please refer to the HKSAR Government Official Website.

Last updated: November 2023.
For latest information, please refer to the official announcements from the government.

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