A new grant will help low-income students from the School of the Arts Singapore (SOTA) fund their overseas programmes.

The Lee Kuan Yew-J.P. Morgan Grant was announced by Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Mr Lawrence Wong at the school's annual Awards Day on Friday.

The US$250,000 ($309,993) donation from J.P Morgan will be used to support selected fourth and fifth year students requiring financial assistance to participate in SOTA's overseas programmes.

At the awards ceremony, the first Prime Minister's Valedictorian Award was given to Ms Ong Shu Chen, 18, who was named the top student of the pioneer cohort. The award is supported by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and is given to one graduate each year who has demonstrated excellence in the academic disciplines, the arts, leadership and service to the community consistently over the years in SOTA.