The Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) and the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) always try to help parents and students who plan to continue their studies to the Higher Education Institutions (IPT). Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Mohd Yusof Apdal, said KPT and PTPTN are also committed to ensuring that no student drop out of IPT due to financial problem. Yusof said PTPTN, an agency under KPT, is entrusted to provide education loans to Malaysian citizens who successfully continue their studies at local public or private higher learning institutions recognised by the government. He said PTPTN’s role, services and contributions are able to realise the goal of producing educated generation.
Expenses before entering IPTs are quite high and may not be able to be financed by the parents of students from low-income groups. “Therefore, a Loan Advance (WPP) of RM1,500 is provided for a student to cover part of the expenses for preparation to enter the IPT”, he said at the PTPTN-WPP handing over ceremony. According to Yusof, WPP is given to Malaysian students who agreed to receive WPP when applying through UPUOnline or through the IPTA admission portal. WPP is also given to parents or guardians of students who are recipients of Sumbangan Tunai Rumah (STR) and meet the specified criteria.
“Since WPP was introduced in 1999 until Aug 31, this year, a total of 969,046 students received this benefit with an allocation of RM4.98 million, while for the Lahad Datu, PTPTN offered 251 students with an allocation of RM376,500”, he said. Yusof, who is also Lahad Datu MP, hoped WPP will be used as best as possible and spent for the right purpose. Hopefully, with the help of WPP given by PTPTN, it can motivate the students to study hard. “I hope the students will succeed in their studies and be able to change the fate of their families and become human capital who are devoted to their parents, religion, race and country”, he added.
