SINGAPORE \u2013 In the years before she found the right fit in her sociology and political science studies, Miss Shira Ong found herself at two crossroads.<\/p>\n
After secondary school, she was unsure what she wanted to do, so she applied to a junior college (JC)<\/span><\/a>. But two months in, she found it challenging to adapt to the rigour of the curriculum. <\/p>\n After speaking to a teacher, she appealed to transfer to a polytechnic instead, following in the footsteps of her elder sister to study accountancy at Ngee Ann Polytechnic.<\/p>\n It was not an easy decision, as she knew staying in JC would have cost significantly less, and family finances were tight.<\/p>\n But, she reasoned, \u201cif I stayed in JC, I would not have been motivated… At least going to poly, with a poly diploma, I would be able to find work\u201d.<\/p>\n But after starting her poly studies in 2021, she realised she was not interested in accountancy and could not envision herself pursuing it as a career. <\/p>\n Not wanting to incur more time and costs transferring elsewhere, she decided to stay on, study hard and make it to university, where she would choose another specialisation.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to get a really good GPA (grade point average) because my goal was to get into uni to try something different,\u201d the 22-year-old said, recalling her mindset then. <\/p>\n Like her sister, Miss Ong took on jobs during her school holidays so she would not have to take an allowance from her parents.<\/p>\n Her father is a part-time packer at a supermarket, and her mother is an administrative clerk. Their CPF covered her poly school fees through the CPF Education Loan Scheme.<\/p>\n In university, however, the CPF Education Loan and a Higher Education Bursary were not enough, and she had to cover about a third of her school fees herself. <\/p>\n The sociology and political science double major chose Singapore Management University not only for the course she was keen on, but also for the practical advantage of its central location, which made it easier for her to work while studying.<\/p>\n Before receiving the scholarship, Miss Ong had to juggle multiple part-time jobs to cover her school fees.<\/p>\n ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n To earn money for her school fees and expenses, as well as to save for an overseas exchange, Miss Ong worked multiple jobs during her first two years. These included working two to three shifts a week as a retail assistant in a jewellery shop and other ad-hoc jobs that fit into her schedule.<\/p>\n Even during a full-time internship with youth charity CARE Singapore between her first and second year of studies, she would spend her weekends working. In her second year of university, she also took on shifts as a receptionist in her school gym, maxing out the 16-hour cap a week that she could work in that position.<\/p>\n All this meant that she could not take on co-curricular activities (CCAs) that required more time commitment, and often had to turn down friends\u2019 invitations to hang out. <\/p>\n Looking back on these sacrifices, she said: \u201cI used to be bitter about working, but when I reflect on my experiences in life, I think I would not have had it any other way.\u201d<\/p>\n While juggling school and work, she found joy in participating in SMU KIN, a student-led community service project mentoring underprivileged schoolchildren. \u201cIt was such an enriching experience, and I really enjoyed that.\u201d <\/p>\n She also kept a close watch on her e-mail for scholarships, applying for more than 20 but receiving many rejections.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s so taxing when you apply and get rejected and then apply again… But my advice is always just try,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Try she did when she learnt in 2025 that the Lim Kim San Memorial Scholarship was open for applications, despite thinking it would be competitive, having read that there were 88 applicants in 2024. Only 12 applicants were successful that year. <\/p>\n SPH Foundation offers the bond-free scholarship for students pursuing full-time degree programmes in the languages, linguistics and humanities at local universities. It covers a student\u2019s full course fees, including tuition and examination fees. It also includes a living allowance of $2,500 and a book allowance of $500 per year.<\/p>\n The scholarship was established in 2006 in honour of the late Lim Kim San, Singapore\u2019s former minister for national development, who also served as executive chairman of Singapore Press Holdings between 1988 and 2002. It has benefited close to 200 students over the past two decades.<\/p>\n Reflecting on the interview process, Miss Ong said: \u201cI really appreciated when the panel could see that there is value and insights from these part-time jobs or the experiences that applicants have in our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n Since receiving the scholarship in July 2025, she has been less stressed about her finances. She has cut back on work and now channels her energies into more community work, such as volunteering for the urban farm initiative City Sprouts.<\/p>\n Miss Ong, who recently completed an overseas exchange programme in the Netherlands and is working through a to-do list, said: \u201cIt was such a great sense of relief that I had this scholarship. I\u2019m so happy to know that the community is supporting me in fulfilling the things I want to achieve.\u201d<\/p>\n Applications for the Lim Kim San Memorial Scholarship are open until April 30. For more information, visit https:\/\/www.sphfoundation.org.sg\/our-work\/education-programmes\/lim-kim-san-memorial-scholarship<\/span><\/a>\/<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/picture><\/div>