Little-Known Financial Aids (Aside From PTPTN) That Can Help Fund Your Education (UPDATED)
One of the most troublesome concerns you have when pursuing study in college is funds and money. Worry no more! In this article, we explore financial aids outside from PTPTN that are available for students like you!
Updated 29 Jul 2022
Note: This article was originally published on 11 April 2017 and has been updated as of 8 December 2020 to reflect current information.
Let’s face it, not everyone can secure a scholarship. However, at the same time, you don’t want to burden your parents with tuition fees. PTPTN is a popular option and can be helpful, yet it’s not ideal. After all, you don’t want to step into your tertiary education with a humongous debt.
The good news is that there are many other bursaries and financial aids aside from PTPTN that are available to you. Here’s a comprehensive list of some lesser-known financial aids and how you can apply for them.
#1. Bantuan Kewangan Asasi
What It Is
Funded by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Bantuan Kewangan Asasi is a needs-based financial assistance offered to all SPM leavers who enrol in Asasi (foundation) courses at public universities in Malaysia. The aid is only available to students with a combined family income of under RM10,000.
What You Need To Know
- Applicable for approved Asasi courses at selected public institutions
- You will need someone to act as a guarantor for you when you sign the agreement in the event you fail the course
- Available only to students with a combined family income of less than RM10,000
- You will not be required to pay back the financial aid provided upon successful completion of the programme
- No interview is required
Application
Once you’ve received and accepted an Asasi offer at a public university, you will need to submit your application directly to the public university on the day of enrolment.
Deadline: Applications are open all year round.
#2. Bantuan Kewangan Pelajar Orang Kelainan Upaya
What It Is
A form of financial assistance funded by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Bantuan Kewangan Pelajar Orang Kelainan Upaya aims to help OKU (Orang Kelainan Upaya) students fund their tertiary studies, whether in public or private institutions, polytechnics and community colleges.
What You Need To Know
- Eligible for students who have registered with the Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM) and have an OKU card
- OKU students who are currently receiving loans will be eligible to receive tuition fees and an allowance while scholarship recipients will only be entitled to an allowance
- Applicable only for courses that are recognised by MQA or Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA)
- Students who are pursuing part-time or distance learning courses are eligible for the tuition fees only
- This financial aid does not take into account income level as a condition of eligibility
Application
Applications can be made online via MOHE’s website. You should submit your application no later than 30 days from the start of every semester.
Deadline: Applications are open all year round.
#3. Yayasan Negeri
What It Is
Yayasan Negeri (or State Foundations) are state funds that aim to help students finance their tertiary education. Every state in Malaysia has one that caters to the residents of each state. Therefore, students across Malaysia have a chance to apply.
The type and amount of aid offered differs across states, taking the form of full scholarships, partial scholarships and study loans.
What You Need To Know
- To be eligible, you must be born in the relevant state or have lived in the state for a certain number of years
- Various types of scholarships and aids are available, so it’s crucial to read the terms and conditions carefully to check your eligibility
Application
The application is generally made directly to the state foundations’ offices.
Here's a list of official Yayasan Negeri websites by state: Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor and Terengganu.
Deadline: Check the respective Yayasan Negeri websites for deadlines.
#4. Zakat Negeri
What It Is
Zakat is an Islamic fund raised by and for Muslims and is given out to those who in need. There are many categories of people who are eligible for zakat and students are included in one of the categories. Each state has a zakat centre, so students in all states can benefit from this.
Financial aid is given out depending on the severity of the case and how much funds are available for the year. Zakat is usually a one-off payment, but you can always apply for it again each semester, or each year.
What You Need To Know
- To be eligible, you must be born in the relevant state or have lived in the state for more than 3 years
- Applicable for Muslims only
- You typically need to be from a low-income family
Application
You can get the application form at the nearest Lembaga Zakat branch or online. The completed forms must then be submitted to any Lembaga Zakat counter near you. Your application will go through inspection and review before it can be approved.
Here's a list of the official Zakat Negeri websites by state: Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Sarawak, Selangor and Terengganu.
Deadline: Application is open all year round.
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Start now#5. Bantuan Pelajaran Tunku Abdul Rahman (BPTAR)
What It Is
Created by Yayasan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Bantuan Pelajaran Tunku Abdul Rahman is aimed at helping students from low-income families. It is designed to help fund the cost of living for 2 semesters (10 months) at public universities only.
What You Need To Know
- Applicable for full-time undergraduate degree studies at public universities only
- You must show evidence that you are from a low-income family
- Also applicable for students who are currently receiving loans
- The amount of financial aid awarded will be determined on a case-by-case basis
Application
Application details can be found on the Yayasan Tunku Abdul Rahman website. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Deadline: Applications are open until 30 September every year.
#6. Pembiayaan Pendidikan Boleh Ubah Yayasan Bank Rakyat
What It Is
Pembiayaan Pendidikan Boleh Ubah is an interest-free loan created by Bank Rakyat for underprivileged Malaysians. It provides financial support to those who are pursuing their tertiary education full-time at either public universities or private universities in Malaysia.
What You Need To Know
- You must be at least 18 at the time of application and no older than 30 years old upon graduation
- You need to have a savings account with Bank Rakyat with a minimum of RM100 account balance
- There are no race, religion or ethnic restrictions
- For degree studies, you must hold a diploma, STPM, Matrikulasi or Foundation qualification with CGPA 3.0 and above and can be awarded up to RM9,500 annually (RM6,500 for UiTM and polytechnics)
- For diploma studies, you must have at least 5As in SPM and can be awarded up to RM7,500 annually (RM5,000 for UiTM and polytechnics)
- Applicable for public and private institutions that are recognised by MQA or JPA
- Priority will be given to applicants studying in Accounting, Banking, Business Management, Human Resources, Economics, Media Communication, Law and Actuarial Science
- You will need to pay back the amount borrowed which may be incentivised depending on your results
Application
You can find the application details and apply online through the Yayasan Bank Rakyat website. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
#7. Hadiah Pengajian IPT Kerajaan Negeri Selangor
What It Is
Hadiah Pengajian IPT is welcome news for Selangor-born students. Provided by the state of Selangor, it is a one-off allowance worth RM1,000 for students who are offered a place to pursue a degree or diploma in either a public or private university, regardless of academic achievement.
What You Need To Know
- You, or your mother or father must be born in Selangor
- If you were not born in Selangor, you must have lived and attended school in Selangor for more than 11 years
- Your family income per month must not exceed RM5,000
- Applicable for diploma or degree studies at accredited public or private universities in Malaysia
Application
Applications can be made online through the Hadiah Pengajian IPT website. The completed application must then be printed and sent to the Hadiah Pengajian IPT Secretariat together with these required documents. Eligible applicants will receive RM1,000.
Deadline: Application is open all year round.
So there you have it – a host of options for you! Hopefully, this list will help you in financing your road to a brighter future ahead.
Ain Abdullah
Literaturist: A permanent tourist in the magical land of Literature. Also, on the highway to fulfilling Crazy-Cat-Lady destiny.
