The Disadvantaged Student Aid Project Enhancement Measures and the Next Generation Student Dormitory Living Environment
Improvement Project (Dormitory Improvement Project), initiated by the Ministry of Education, were announced by the President in September 2019. With a total funding of NT$4.58 billion, the 5-year project spans from 2019 to 2023 and comprises 4 major strategic measures:
(1) Subsidies for Junior Colleges and Institutions of Higher Education of Disadvantaged Students Off-Campus Rental:
Starting from the 2022 Academic Year, a monthly subsidy of NT$2,400 to NT$3,600 is granted to each low income student depending on the location of the school.
(2) Subsidies for Junior Colleges and Institutions of Higher Education for Off-campus Student Housing Places in Excess of Actual Need:
Schools are encouraged to rent off-campus private legal residential properties, and ensure residence’s fire safety and public security before lease to students. The MOE subsidized up to 10% of total beds.
(3) Subsidies for Junior Colleges and Institutions of Higher Education to Pay Interest on Loans to Build Student Dormitories:
Increase the amount of loan interest to more than NT$100 million for subsidizing schools to build student dormitories.
(4) Subsidies for Junior Colleges and Institutions of Higher Education to Upgrade Basic Facilities and Improve Common Areas of On-Campus Student Dormitories:
The maximum subsidy for renovating student dormitories is up to NT$42,000 per bed. Idle school buildings converted into student dormitories receive a subsidy of up to NT$84,000 per bed.
The Ministry of Education initiated the Disadvantaged Student Aid Project Enhancement Measures and the Next Generation Student Dormitory Living Environment Improvement Project in order to reduce the rent burden of disadvantaged students living in off-campus housing, improve the on- and off-campus accommodation environment, and improve the basic facilities and public spaces of student dormitories through the following four strategies: Subsidies for Junior Colleges and Institutions of Higher Education of Disadvantaged Students Off-Campus Rental, Subsidies for Junior Colleges and Institutions of Higher Education for Off-campus Student Housing Places in Excess of Actual Need, Subsidies for Junior Colleges and Institutions of Higher Education to Pay Interest on Loans to Build Student Dormitories and Subsidies for Junior Colleges and Institutions of Higher Education to Upgrade Basic Facilities and Improve Common Areas of On-Campus Student Dormitories. Therefore, student dormitories offer functions such as co-learning, peer communication, and creativity. Student dormitories can be turned into learning spaces for next generation students.