Kota Kinabalu: Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, urged universities and the ministry to establish a more precise timeline for disbursing financial aid to enable students to plan and prepare more effectively.
He said this in response to a student’s concern raised during the Talk to Us (TTU) programme at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) where it was claimed that financial aid often took a long time to be approved.
This delay can burden students who must cover registration fees and other expenses.
Mustapha said one of the main challenges students faced was the uncertainty surrounding the timing of financial aid disbursements.
“Some students have complained that despite applying for aid, the disbursement process was often delayed, which causes financial difficulties,” he told the media after the programme at the Chancellor’s Hall on Friday.
Therefore, he hoped this issue could be resolved to streamline the financial aid process for students.
“If financial aid is delayed or failed to materialise, it creates significant student challenges. We will ensure their concerns are heard and addressed,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mustapha said several initiatives the university offers to support students, particularly those from the B40 group.
“First, students need not worry about the registration fee as payments can be deferred.
“Second, the university offers various assistance schemes, including National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans and the Sulung Student Development programme, specifically aimed at children from B40 families entering university for the first time,” Mustapha said.
However, he said many parents and students must know about these initiatives and urged everyone to share this information.
“Several students who could not afford to enter university have benefited from this scheme. Students and their families greatly appreciate the initiatives provided by the government and the university,”
Mustapha said. For the Sulung 3.0 programme, UMS has screened 193 eligible students for assistance,though this number may increase following further screenings.
He said that the program aims to ensure that students from B40 families can graduate without paying tuition fees, covering only their living expenses.
