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)