Programmes fulfilling all the specified criteria are eligible for enlisting as recognised programmes.

Study Sponsorship

Recognised programmes are full-time or part-time programmes at Level 2 to Level 5 of the Qualifications Framework (QF) related to arboriculture, tree management and tree work (e.g. chainsaw operation and tree climbing), which have not been covered by other forms of government subsidy to the students. Programmes already covered by existing government subsidy schemes, such as the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professionals/Sectors, VPlus Engineering and sponsorship and allowance schemes under Employees Retraining Board will be excluded to avoid double sponsorship.

Scholarship

Recognised programmes are full-time programmes at QF Level 5 related to arboriculture and tree management.

Each applicant is entitled to study sponsorship of each programme category (Arboriculture and Tree Management Programmes and Tree Work Programmes) ONCE. Each applicant should not submit more than one application form for programmes under the same category at any one time.
(Reimbursement record before 1 July 2023 will also be counted.)

To be eligible for study sponsorship, an applicant must satisfy the following criteria:

1. being a Hong Kong resident, i.e. a person who have the right of abode or the right to land or to remain in Hong Kong without restriction, or a holder of one-way permit from mainland China;
2. has successfully enrolled in one of the recognised programmes (arboriculture, tree management and tree work programmes at Level 2 to Level 5 of QF) for study sponsorship listed on the Scheme's website;
3. has not been granted any subsidy from the Scheme for any recognised programme listed on the Scheme’s website under the same programme category or any other form of subsidy, and will not receive any other subsidy or financial assistance from any other existing Government subsidy schemes (e.g. the Continuing Education Fund) or any other financial support (e.g. from employers) for the same programme; and
4. has passed the end-of-programme examination/satisfactorily completed the programme.

To be eligible for scholarship, an applicant must satisfy the following criteria:

1. being a Hong Kong resident, i.e. a person who have the right of abode or the right to land or to remain in Hong Kong without restriction, or a holder of one-way permit from mainland China;
2. has successfully enrolled in one of the recognised programmes (full-time arboriculture and tree management programmes at Level 5 of QF) for scholarship listed on the Scheme's website;
3. (i) has attained 20 total grade points or above in his/her best five subjects in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination; or
   (ii) being nominated by Programme Provider, high-calibre students attending recognised programme in any particular academic year;
4. agrees to join the arboriculture and horticulture industry within six months after satisfactory completion of the programme, and provide related proof of employment; and
5. has passed the academic assessments required by the Programme Provider (if applicable).

For applicants of (c)(i) above, they should not submit more than one application form at any one time. Each applicant / nominee is entitled to scholarship ONCE in each academic year.