ACYLS coverage: monthly stipend of RMB 4,000 to 5,000, settlement fee and airfare ceilings
Sources checked · Unofficial summary
The ASEAN-China Young Leaders Scholarship (ACYLS) pays a monthly living stipend from the host university: RMB 4,000 for master’s students, and RMB 5,000 for doctoral students and research scholars. On top of the stipend, it provides a one-time settlement fee of RMB 3,000, covers tuition, gives each recipient a single room in a university dormitory, and covers medical insurance; international air travel is reimbursed within set ceilings rather than paid in advance. The figures and conditions below are taken from the Guidebook to the ASEAN-China Young Leaders Scholarship published by the China Scholarship Council (Campus China). Where that guidebook does not address a point, this page says so.
Monthly stipend and payment conditions
The guidebook sets the monthly stipend by category:
| Category | Monthly stipend |
|---|---|
| Master’s students | RMB 4,000 |
| Doctoral students | RMB 5,000 |
| Research scholars | RMB 5,000 |
The host university pays the stipend monthly, and the amount for the first month depends on the registration date. Students who register on or before the 15th of the month receive a full stipend for that month; those who register after the 15th receive a half stipend for that month. Graduating students receive stipend for another half a month following the graduation date.
The stipend is not paid for time spent outside China in some circumstances. If a registered student stays out of China for more than 15 days due to personal reasons (school holidays excluded), the stipend will be stopped during the absence. Host universities may require students to hold a RMB bank account in China to receive the stipend, and the guidebook encourages enrolled students to contact their host university for details.
One-time settlement fee
ACYLS recipients receive a one-time settlement fee from the host university upon registration. The guidebook provides it to master’s students, doctoral students and research scholars, at a standard of RMB 3,000 per person, issued in Chinese currency.
Tuition and the high-cost major exception
Tuition is entirely covered by the ACYLS program, and the funds are directly allocated to the host universities. The guidebook flags one exception: tuition for some majors (e.g., MBA) may be exceptionally high. For students applying for those majors, whether the tuition will be entirely covered by the scholarship is decided on a case-by-case basis. The guidebook does not name any major other than MBA as an example.
Accommodation
Recipients are provided with a university dormitory, with one single room for each recipient. The guidebook does not describe any alternative housing arrangement or cash housing allowance.
Medical insurance
Medical insurance is covered by the ACYLS program. The guidebook directs recipients to the Campus China website (http://www.campuschina.org) to check the insurance policy and insurance claims, and to refer to the Comprehensive Insurance & Protection Scheme for Foreigners Staying in China. The guidebook does not state the coverage amount, the insurer, or the claim procedures itself.
International round-trip air fare
The air fare fund is used by the China Scholarship Council and the host universities to support economy-class round-trip air fares between the student’s home country and the city of the host university. Students buy the tickets themselves and apply for reimbursement from the host university with the original purchase receipt.
For master’s and doctoral degree students, the guidebook provides:
- A one-time round-trip international air fare for the first visit to China and for the return to the home country after graduation.
- One round-trip international air fare for a home visit at the end of each academic year, excluding the graduation year.
The reimbursement ceilings are:
| Ticket | Reimbursement ceiling |
|---|---|
| First visit to China | RMB 3,000 |
| Return to home country upon graduation | RMB 3,000 |
| Home visit round-trip ticket | RMB 6,000 |
Any excess above the ceiling is borne by the student. The timing for reimbursement is set by the guidebook: the first visit ticket can be reimbursed after registration with the university; the return ticket upon graduation can be reimbursed when the student is qualified for graduation; and home visit round-trip tickets can be reimbursed after the student returns to school from the home visit.
For research scholars, the guidebook provides a one-time international round-trip air fare. They also purchase economy class tickets themselves and apply for reimbursement from the host university with the original purchase receipt. The round-trip air ticket shall not exceed RMB 6,000, and they can apply for reimbursement prior to their completion of study.
Annual review
Continued funding is not automatic. The guidebook states that enrolled students’ performance is subject to annual review by the China Scholarship Council and the host universities. Failure to pass the review may result in expulsion from the university and cancellation of the scholarship.
Questions people ask
Does the university book the flight for ACYLS students?
No, the guidebook says students need to purchase the air tickets (economy class only) by themselves according to relevant regulations, and then apply for reimbursement of the expenses from the host university with the original purchase receipt.
What happens to the stipend if a student is outside China for more than 15 days?
The guidebook says that if a registered student stays out of China for more than 15 days due to personal reasons (school holidays excluded), his/her stipend will be stopped during his/her absence from China.
Is MBA tuition fully covered by ACYLS?
The guidebook does not guarantee full coverage for MBA. It says tuition of some majors (e.g., MBA) may be exceptionally high, and for students applying for those majors, whether the tuition will be entirely covered by the scholarship will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
When can a research scholar claim airfare reimbursement?
The guidebook says research scholars can apply for reimbursement prior to their completion of study, after buying economy class tickets and applying to the host university with the original purchase receipt; the round-trip air ticket shall not exceed RMB 6,000.
Does ACYLS provide a single room or a shared room?
The guidebook says ACYLS recipients will be provided with a university dormitory with one single room for each recipient.
Sources
- Guidebook to the ASEAN-China Young Leaders Scholarship — China Scholarship Council (Campus China, campuschina.org)
Checked October 10, 2026
This page is an unofficial summary, is not published by the China Scholarship Council or Campus China, and the official notice prevails if they differ.