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PTPTN borrowers can expect 20% discount if they pay up by March 31

National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan borrowers can expect a 20% discount if they repay their loans in full by March 31 next year.

Those who are unable to do so can still get a 10% off their loans if they make continuous payments for 12 months until Dec 31, 2015.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the discounts were meant to encourage repayment, and some 174,000 borrowers had not made any payments since 2010.

“Since the establishment of PTPTN in 1997 to date, 2.1 million borrowers have taken loans worth RM47.8bil.


“However, as at Aug 31 this year, only RM5.36bil or 46% of RM11.76bil has been collected,” he said when tabling the Budget 2015 in Parlia­ment.

Najib said the minimum English proficiency requirement for entering public tertiary institutions would be raised according to field of study from next year onwards.

For example, Arts and Social Science courses will require a Band 2 in the Malaysian University English Test (Muet), while Law and Medical courses will require at least a Band 4.

Currently students only need a minimum of Band 1 in Muet to enter local universities.

Najib also announced a RM1.2bil allocation to upgrade and increase student intake to vocational and community colleges.

“Currently, applications for entry into Technical and Vocational Training (TEVT) programmes re­­ceived by the Education Ministry far exceed the capacity of 20,000 pla­ces.

Source: The Star

‘3-month grace period for PTPTN defaulters’

PUTRAJAYA: National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) defaulters will be given the chance to discuss with the corporation on how to repay their outstanding study loans before their names are included in Bank Negara’s Central Credit Reference Information System (CCRIS).

Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said a three-month grace period would be given to allow defaulters to come forward to PTPTN. Some 170,000 PTPTN borrowers, aged between 26 and 38, had yet to repay RM1.2 billion worth of study loans between 1998 and 2010.

Idris said the PTPTN had been flexible, but there were those who took advantage by failing to make any payment at all.

“When we implement the system (link-up with CCRIS), we will give three months for the borrowers to discuss and make payments before their names are listed in the CCRIS.”

He said PTPTN had the borrowers’ details and know that some of them were well-paid, but had not make any attempts to repay their debts.

Source: NST (posted on 10 October 14)

50,000 students might miss PTPTN loans this year

ABOUT 50,000 students may be deprived of their National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans when they enrol for varsity courses between July and December this year, reported Berita Harian.

This was because 183,000 people had defaulted on their PTPTN loans, involving a loss of funds involving RM1.3bil.

“Their failure to pay is serious as they represent 19% of the total number of PTPTN borrowers so the fund is losing RM1.3bil in future loans,” a source told the Malay daily.


He said while the Finance Ministry had granted PTPTN a RM4bil allocation for this year, the amount could only cover 75% of the new and existing borrowers.

About 25% would not get the loans.

PTPTN, said the source, had suggested for defaulters to be blacklisted under Bank Negara’s Central Credit Reference Information System (CCRIS) but this idea was rejected by the Cabinet.

“However, PTPTN may tighten the requirements for new borrowers to ensure that more people can get the loans,” said the source.

(Source: The Star, 21 June 2014)

Surviving a semester on a PTPTN loan

KUALA LUMPUR: While a Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN) loan is helpful in funding your education, there are just times when it is hard to believe that the fund, which is also known as National Higher Education Fund Corporation, will be enough to help you survive the semester.


After all, it takes more money to survive a semester than just having tuition. There are always the added expenses of books, daily needs, materials for school and others.


With all this taken into consideration, can a student realistically survive a semester living off a PTPTN loan? The answer is yes, but it is going to take some doing.



Here are some steps students can take in order to maximise the loan without compromising the quality of their academic life:


Look into secondhand books:


The truth is that textbooks are a necessity, and that they also do not come cheap. When they say you cannot put a price tag on learning, textbooks seem to exist for the purpose of disputing that statement.


Regardless, there is always a cheaper alternative, and secondhand textbooks are one of the best ones.


Many students who have completed their studies often find no use for their textbooks and sell them.


Get your hands on these books and you will save a pretty penny. Just be sure to always check if the books you buy are still up to-date and still in line with the requirements of the courses you are taking.


Reduce food costs:


Food is a huge factor to take into consideration, mainly because as human beings, we have this annoying habit of needing to eat every few hours.


While many students think that they save money by buying instant food like cup noodles and such, one has to consider two things.


One, while these types of food are good enough meals for the student on the go, living primarily on such food items may be detrimental to your health, and in turn also jeopardise your academic performance.


The second thing to consider is that these types of food may seem cheap, but the most cost-effective solution to fulfilling one’s food requirements still lie within making one’s own meals.


If you have the facilities, try to find the time to prepare your own meals. It is healthy, more filling, more cost-effective, and tastes better. (College also happens to be the ideal time to learn how to cook.)


Take advantage of student discounts:


Do not be afraid of enjoying student discounts. They are offered for a reason, and a lot of establishments offer great deals for students like you.


From movies, to books, to public transport, taking full advantage of your student discount allows you to stretch your budget to its maximum capacity.


Also, you will miss those student discounts once you are no longer eligible for them, so enjoy them while they last.


Living in a dorm:


Living in a dormitory can be iffy financially, depending on your specific circumstances. It basically is up to you to weigh your options in this regard.


If you spend more on public transportation than if you lived in a dorm room, or vice versa, then it is always a smart idea to choose the cheaper option.


Your living conditions will also dictate how your academic life will go, and while money is the prime consideration when deciding how to survive on a PTPTN loan, the effects of altering your living conditions should also come into play. Remember, it is all about what is best for your education.


As with most things in life, there is always a way. So if you are living on a PTPTN loan, there is a way you can get through every semester.


College is a time of learning, both in and out of the classroom. Living within your means will be a valuable lesson to learn — one you can take and use throughout adulthood.


(Source: The Star, 5 July 2014)

Be responsible and pay back PTPTN loans, borrowers told

Be responsible and pay back your study loans, Education Minister II Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh advised National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) borrowers.


He also reminded them to spare some thought for those who would be applying for the loans in the future.


“While the Government allocates close to RM5bil a year to the fund, it will be difficult for PTPTN to provide loans to new borrowers if the existing ones do not pay up.


“If you borrow money, you should know it is your responsibility to pay back.



“Paying back is an obligation,” said Idris at a press conference at the Tembila campus of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin here yesterday.


He was responding to a Malay daily report that up to 50,000 freshmen might not get PTPTN loans as the loan scheme had lost more than RM1bil to defaulters.


“If we want to continue giving loans to students, then existing borrowers must pay back their loans.


“There is no other solution to this matter but for the borrowers to pay up,” added Idris, who is also Besut MP.


(Source: The Star, 23 June 2014)