To help workers who have become unemployed due to involuntary job loss ease the burden of their children’s education expenses, the Ministry of Labor announced that applications for the Semester Two education subsidy for children of unemployed workers for the 114 academic year are now open and will be accepted until March 22. Eligible unemployed workers are encouraged to apply within the designated period to reduce household education costs.
The Ministry of Labor explained that, in response to the needs of workers who experience sudden job loss and a sharp decline in household income, the scope of eligible applicants has been expanded since Semester One of the 114 academic year. Unemployed workers who lost their jobs involuntarily, have not received old-age benefits by the application deadline, and meet the relevant requirements regarding unemployment benefits or vocational training living allowances, working days, or employment duration, are eligible to apply. In addition, individuals who became involuntarily unemployed between now and March 22 and have registered for job-seeking services at public employment service institutions may also apply in accordance with regulations. Applicants’ children must be enrolled in domestic senior high schools, vocational high schools, or colleges and universities with formal student status.
Considering rising prices in recent years and the increasing burden of education expenses on unemployed families, the Ministry of Labor has also raised subsidy amounts. Subsidies for students attending public colleges and universities have been increased from NT$13,600 to NT$15,000 per semester, while those for private institutions have been increased from NT$24,000 to NT$26,000 per semester. Students in public senior high or vocational schools receive NT$4,000 per semester, and those in private schools receive NT$6,000. For unemployed workers who are the sole breadwinners of their households or who have two or more children enrolled in colleges or universities at the same time, subsidy amounts may be increased by an additional 20 percent.
Furthermore, starting from Semester One of the 114 academic year, the income-based exclusion clause has been removed, allowing unemployed workers whose income has dropped significantly within the past year and who are facing financial hardship to apply for the subsidy. The Ministry of Labor also reminds applicants that if their children are already receiving tuition reductions for private colleges and universities or tuition-free programs for senior high schools, they must choose only one subsidy and may not receive duplicate benefits.
The Ministry of Labor noted that to enhance administrative convenience, multiple online application methods have been established. Applicants may apply online using a digital certificate or by entering their national ID number and National Health Insurance card number, and may also utilize the My Data platform to directly retrieve household registration information. If additional documents are required or when review results are issued, notifications will be sent by both mail and text message to ensure applicants receive timely updates.
