25th September 2026 - 4 min read
Nearly 2,000 students who got places at public universities almost couldn’t take them up because they couldn’t afford to register, according to the National Student Consultative Council (MPPK).
Most of them eventually started their studies after getting help from universities, government agencies and charities, MPPK president Muhammad Irfan Firdaus Md. Fauzi told Utusan Malaysia on 24 September.
Muhammad Irfan said students face upfront costs when they register, including fees, transport, accommodation and basic needs. He also said many students don’t know the rules for financial aid, where to apply or who to contact. MPPK doesn’t want students to only look for help once they’re already struggling.
Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) deputy vice-chancellor Prof. Dr. Huzili Hussin said no offers there had been turned down for financial reasons, as the university identifies students who need help early. Some students give up their place because they’ve chosen another university instead, he said.
If you’ve just received a university offer and aren’t sure how to cover these costs, here’s where you can get help.
PTPTN’s Loan Advance Payment, known as WPP, gives eligible students RM1,500 before they register. You can use it for registration fees, books and other basic needs. This year, PTPTN gave WPP to 40,099 new diploma students in June and 26,457 new students in September.
You can get WPP if you’re starting a full-time diploma or degree at a public university or polytechnic, and your parents or guardian receive Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR). You can only get WPP if you agreed to it on your UPUOnline or university admissions application. It can’t be added later on.
PTPTN tells you when to check your WPP offer for each intake. This year, June intake students could check from 10 June, and September intake students from early September. You check through the myPTPTN app, available on the App Store and Google Play. Print the offer letter from the app, then collect the money in person at any Bank Islam counter within two months. Bring your MyKad, since no one can collect it for you.
WPP is part of your PTPTN loan, not free money. Once your PTPTN loan is approved, PTPTN takes back the RM1,500 by paying you RM500 less in each of your first three semesters. You repay it along with the rest of your loan after you graduate.
Most states offer their own one-off payment for new university students, usually through the state government or state foundation (yayasan). To find yours, search your state’s name with “bantuan kemasukan IPT” and look for a link on an official state website, which ends in .gov.my.
In Selangor, Hadiah Pengajian IPT gives RM1,000 to first-year students from households earning RM5,000 or less. You qualify if you were born and live in Selangor, if one of your parents was born and lives in Selangor, or if you and a parent have lived there for 11 years. Apply online through the same portal.
In Kedah, Bantuan Awal Kemasukan IPT gives RM300 to new students. You qualify if you or one of your parents was born in or lives in Kedah. You can only get it once for each level of study, and you apply online through the same portal during the window for your intake.
State zakat bodies also give one-off help to new Muslim students. Each state sets its own rules, but most ask how long you’ve lived in the state and what your family earns. You can apply online through your state zakat body’s website, usually under education assistance (bantuan pendidikan). Keep your offer letter, your parents’ latest payslips and your MyKad ready, as most ask for these.
Universities also run their own funds for students who can’t cover their costs. As soon as you get your offer, contact your university’s student affairs office, known as Bahagian Hal Ehwal Pelajar (HEP). Tell them you’re worried about upfront costs, and ask what help they offer and how to apply before registration day.
For more on borrowing, our PTPTN loan guide explains how the loan and repayment work. Students from low-income families may also be among the 5,800 getting free PTPTN under Budget 2026.
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Iman writes about personal finance with curiosity. She is interested in the stories behind money, the hesitation around big decisions, and the small habits that shape financial futures. Off the clock, she is either dissecting a film or climbing her way up the leaderboard in her favourite games.
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