Graduates with first-class honours degrees will be able to apply for PTPTN loan exemptions starting 1 September 2025. Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Ts Mustapha Sakmud confirmed that the PTPTN website, which has been temporarily offline for maintenance, will resume full services on that date.

During the closure, some graduates began receiving repayment notices despite being eligible for the waiver. The exemption remains valid, but applications could not be submitted while the portal was down. With the online system set to reopen, eligible borrowers can soon proceed with their exemption requests and avoid unnecessary repayments.

Exemption Scheme Continues to Benefit Eligible Graduates

The PTPTN loan exemption policy was first introduced in 2001 and remains in place today. It allows full exemptions for borrowers who graduate with first-class honours from recognised higher education institutions.

As of August 2025, a total of 133,159 borrowers have benefited from this policy, amounting to RM2.9 billion in waived repayments. The exemption is not automatic and must be applied for through the official PTPTN portal once applications reopen.

PTPTN Confirms That the Policy Remains Valid

PTPTN has clarified that the exemption policy remains in effect, with no changes to the eligibility criteria. This was reaffirmed by PTPTN chairman Datuk Seri Norliza Abdul Rahim, who stated that graduates who meet all requirements can still apply once the system is live again.

Graduates are reminded that the exemption only applies after approval. Until that approval is confirmed, loan obligations remain active under the original agreement.

No Plans to Reinstate Travel Restrictions for Defaulters

In a separate statement to Dewan Rakyat, Mustapha said there are currently no plans to reintroduce overseas travel bans for borrowers who default on their PTPTN loans. While the measure remains under review, no decision has been made to bring it back.

The travel restriction was previously removed in 2018 following concerns about its fairness. At present, the government is focused on more sustainable repayment solutions.

Focus Shifts to Loan Restructuring and Engagement

The Ministry of Higher Education has stated that it is taking a broader approach to improving repayment rates. This includes offering loan restructuring options and issuing more frequent reminders to borrowers.

As of January 2025, PTPTN has issued 2.1 million repayment notices to borrowers with overdue loans. These efforts are aimed at strengthening long-term repayment behaviour and ensuring the fund remains sustainable for future students.

Next Steps for Graduates Seeking Exemption

Graduates who meet the exemption criteria are encouraged to prepare the necessary documents in advance and submit their application as soon as the PTPTN portal reopens on 1 September 2025. Manual submissions or alternative channels will not be accepted.

Full eligibility guidelines and application instructions will be available on the official PTPTN website. Borrowers are advised to check the portal regularly and to continue monitoring any official updates from PTPTN.

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