Information for Continuing Education Fund

Introduction

The Continuing Education Fund (CEF) subsidises adults with learning aspirations to pursue continuing education and training. From 1 April 2019, enhancement measures Eligible applicants may submit unlimited number of claims for reimbursement of fees up to a maximum sum of HK$20,000 within one year upon successful completion of CEF reimbursable courses and before reaching the age of 71. 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$10,000 subsidy is 40% of the course fee.

Eligibility

Applicants should be:

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 Hong Kong Smart Identity card, or holders of one-way permit from the Mainland China.
Aged between 18 and 70 (i.e. before reaching the age of 71) both at the time when the CEF reimbursable course under application commences and at the time when an application for fee reimbursement is submitted, which should be within one year upon the successful completion of the CEF reimbursable course. Late applications will not be accepted.

Enhancement

The enhancement measures will apply only to CEF courses thatcommence on or after 1 April 2019.The enhancement measures have no retrospective effect. For learners enrolling on CEF courses that commence before1 April 2019, their CEF reimbursement claims will be processed in accordance with the existing requirements and arrangements, i.e. the requirements such as the subsidy ceiling of $10,000 and the validity period of accounts are still applicable.

	Existing requirements and arrangements (applicable to CEF courses that commence before 1 April 2019)	Enhancement measures (applicable to CEF courses that commence on or after 1 April 2019)
Subsidy Ceiling	$10,000 per applicant	$20,000 per applicant
Co-payment Ratios by Learner	20% of the course fee	20% of the course fee (applicable for the first $10,000); and 40% of the course fee (applicable for the second $10,000)
Currently Closed CEF Accounts	Nullified upon closing of individual CEF accounts	To be re-activated May re-apply for the unused balance, with co-payment ratio of 20% by learner Will be given an additional subsidy of $10,000, with co-payment ratio of 40% by learner
Age Limit	Between 18 and 65 [Note : Before reaching the age of 66]	Between 18 and 70 [Note: Before reaching the age of 71]
Validity Period, Maximum Number of Claims and Other Administrative Arrangements	Validity period of CEF accounts

	Four years since the opening of CEF accounts	No validity period
	Maximum number of CEF claim submissions
	Four claims	No limit
	Application procedures
	To submit the application for opening an account before commencement of the applicant's first CEF course	To submit application for opening an account together with application for the first reimbursement claim after the successful completion of the applicant's first CEF course [Note: Applicants are required to submit their reimbursement claims within one year upon successful completion of a CEF course.]

Enquiries

General enquiries and application procedures about the CEF should be addressed to:

Office of the Continuing Education Fund
Units 07-11, 25/F., CDW Building, 388 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong

Enquiry Hotline: 3142 2277
CEF website: https://www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/cef

Highlights