by AUFA MARDHIAH / pic BERNAMA

AS AN agency of the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), the National Higher Education Fund Corp (PTPTN) is providing a Grant of Loan Advance (WPP) of RM1,500 to each student who is eligible, to cover a portion of the expenses for students joining public higher education institutions (IPTA).

Also aimed at taking care of the students’ welfare, the initiative is provided to Malaysian students who have agreed to receive the WPP when applying through UPUOnline or through the IPTA admission portal.

In addition, students whose parents or guardians are also recipients of Rahmah Cash Donations (STR) and meet the criteria are also eligible for the WPP.

Since it was introduced in 1999 till Aug 31, 2023, a total of 969,046 students have received this benefit with an allocation amounting to RM1.43 billion.

For the admission of Bachelor’s degree students to IPTA this October 2023 session, a total of 30,893 students have been offered WPP, which involves an allocation of RM46.34 million.

Students may check the WPP offer through PTPTN’s official portal and can redeem the WPP at Bank Islam (M) Bhd (BIMB) counters nationwide from Sept 19, 2023, by bringing the WPP offer letter and also the students’ MyKad (representatives are not allowed).

The validity period of WPP is for two months from Sept 19, 2023, to Nov 18, 2023.

PTPTN chairman Datuk Norliza Abdul Rahim said that the initiative to provide this WPP is one of the efforts to advance the national education agenda, ensuring that all students in the country can enter IPT without encountering financial problems.

“Congratulations and well done to all the students for successfully stepping up to the ivory tower. This grant of WPP is intended to alleviate the financial burden on students and parents. We recognise that not everyone can afford to send their children to IPT, where high financial resources are required.

“Seize this opportunity to the fullest and express your gratitude by dedicating yourself to your studies and aiming to become an exceptional human capital for the nation,” she said in a statement.

Apart from that, students may also apply for PTPTN loans online through the official PTPTN portal according to the application date set for each IPTA to ensure that the loan can be processed and approved accordingly.

Students who wish to apply for a PTPTN loan must have a National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN) account that can be opened through the myPTPTN application.

Should there be any questions, students may refer to the IPT Student Affairs Division respectively or directly contact PTPTN.

Additional details about the PTPTN WPP and PTPTN loans can be found on the official portal www.ptptn.gov.my, and you can also access this information through the myPTPTN application.