PTPTN (Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional) is a government loan that helps Malaysians pay for university. The rate is only 1% a year, much cheaper than borrowing from a bank. Depending on your family's income, it can cover your tuition, living costs, or both.
You don't have to start paying it back right away, either. Repayment only starts 12 months after your loan period ends, so you have time to finish your studies and get on your feet before the monthly payments begin. If you're already working but thinking of going back to study, you can still apply as long as you're under 45.
Who Can Apply For A PTPTN Loan?
You can apply if you meet all of the following:
- Malaysian citizen
- Under 45 years of age at the time of application
- No active PTPTN loan account is currently being managed by a Debt Counselling Agency (APH). APH is a government-appointed agency that handles problem loans on behalf of borrowers.
- Your parents' or guardian's combined monthly income is RM50,000 or less, minus RM250 for each dependent in the household, effective 1 January 2024
- Accepted into an IPTA, IPTS, or polytechnic programme that meets Ministry of Higher Education entry requirements and is registered with PTPTN. IPTA refers to public universities, IPTS to private universities and colleges.
- At least one semester remaining in the course at the time of application
- A Simpan SSPN Prime or Simpan SSPN Plus account must be opened before applying
If you are a working adult going back to study, you can apply as long as you are under 45 and meet the other conditions. If you are planning to pursue a Master's or PhD, PTPTN only offers loans for those programmes at public universities (IPTA), not private institutions.
If you previously took a PTPTN loan for your diploma and are now continuing to a degree, your diploma loan repayment is paused, and the two loans are combined. If you are applying for a second-degree loan after already completing a first degree, you need to have fully repaid the first loan before a new one is approved.
How Much Can You Borrow?
PTPTN sets a maximum loan amount for each course. How much of that maximum you can borrow depends on your household income, split across three tiers:
| Household income category | Loan amount |
| STR (Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah) recipients | Maximum amount |
| Gross household income of RM8,000 or below per month | 75% of the maximum amount |
| Gross household income above RM8,000 per month | 50% of the maximum amount |
STR (Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah) is a government cash assistance programme for low-income households. If your family receives STR, you are eligible for the full loan amount PTPTN offers for your course. Medical and health-related degrees have the highest limits, with some programmes eligible for up to RM50,000 per year. The exact amount for your course is available on the PTPTN website.
How To Apply For A PTPTN Loan
The first thing you need is the myPTPTN app, which you can download on iOS, Android, or Huawei App Gallery. You can also do everything through the web at myptptn.ptptn.gov.my. When you register, use your MyDigital ID to log in. When filling in your details, make sure your name and IC number match your MyKad exactly, as even a small mismatch can cause your application to be flagged.
Before you can submit your loan application, you need to open a Simpan SSPN savings account. This is a PTPTN requirement, not optional. The easiest way to do it is directly through the myPTPTN app. You do not need to go to a bank or PTPTN office. If your parents deposit into your SSPN account, those deposits qualify for income tax relief of up to RM8,000 per year (confirmed for assessment years 2025 to 2027). Once your SSPN account is active, you are ready to apply.
To fill in the application, you will need your university offer letter, your course code (ask your university's student affairs office if you are not sure what this is), and your parents' or guardian's income documents: usually a salary slip, EPF (Employees Provident Fund) statement, or a statutory declaration. A statutory declaration is a written statement signed in front of a commissioner of oaths, commonly used by self-employed or informal workers who cannot provide a standard salary slip. Take your time with the income section since this affects how much you qualify for.
Apply as soon as you receive your offer letter so the money is in your account before your first semester begins. PTPTN processes applications throughout the intake period, and late applications can mean waiting longer for your first payment, which affects your ability to pay registration fees on time.
Once your loan is approved, you will receive an offer letter through the myPTPTN app. You have 14 days to accept it, so check your app regularly after approval. After accepting, you need to complete the loan agreement documents and return them to PTPTN before any money is released. If you are unsure how to fill them in, PTPTN has a step-by-step guide on the agreement documents on their website.
Documents required:
- Identity Card/MyKad (yours and your parents' or guardian's)
- University offer letter
- Parents' or guardians' income documents (salary slip, EPF statement, or statutory declaration)
- Latest academic results
Loan Advance Payment (Wang Pendahuluan Pinjaman)
If you are an STR recipient and have been accepted into a full-time Diploma or Bachelor's degree at a public university (IPTA) or polytechnic, you may qualify for a RM1,500 cash advance called WPP (Wang Pendahuluan Pinjaman) before you register. The RM1,500 is not a grant. It gets deducted from your loan at RM500 per semester for your first three semesters automatically.
You do not apply for WPP separately. You agree to receive it when accepting your university placement through the UPU portal or your institution's intake portal. Once approved, print the offer letter from the PTPTN portal and redeem it in person at any Bank Islam counter within two months. Bring your MyKad and go in person. PTPTN does not allow anyone else to collect it for you.
WPP is only available for IPTA and polytechnic students. IPTS students are not eligible.
When Will You Receive Your PTPTN Money?
Once PTPTN receives your completed loan agreement documents, expect the first payment within 21 working days. After that, your loan is paid directly into your personal bank account once per semester. PTPTN transfers the money to you, not to your university. If your university deducts fees from the amount you receive, that is handled on the university's end.
Later payments depend on your academic performance, but are not based on your most recent result. PTPTN checks your GPA (Grade Point Average, the numerical score that summarises your academic results) from two semesters back. For IPTA and polytechnic students, this is how it works:
| Payment for the semester | Based on results from |
| Semester 3 | Semester 1 |
| Semester 5 | Semester 3 |
| Semester 7 | Semester 5 |
So if your semester 1 GPA was below 2.0, your semester 3 payment gets held back, and you do not get it back later. For IPTS students, each semester's payment is based on the immediately preceding semester's results. You only have to repay what was paid into your account. Payments are also paused if you defer or are suspended from your studies, and resume only after your university confirms you have re-registered.
Every PTPTN borrower is automatically covered under a group Takaful scheme. Takaful is an Islamic insurance arrangement where participants contribute to a shared fund that covers each other against specific risks. In PTPTN's case, it covers your loan amount worldwide, 24 hours a day, in the event of death or total permanent disability. The contribution is included in your approved loan amount. You do not pay it separately, and you cannot opt out. If you defer or are suspended from your studies, contact PTPTN directly to confirm whether coverage continues during that period, as this is not stated in the standard terms.
Your loan can also be stopped if you fail or withdraw from the approved programme, cancel it yourself, provide false information in your application, or are declared bankrupt.
How Much Does A PTPTN Loan Cost?
Most students who apply today are on the Ujrah scheme at 1% per annum (p.a., meaning per year). If you took out your loan several years ago, you might still be on the older Conventional scheme, which charges 3-5% p.a. You can check and convert for free via myPTPTN:
| Scheme | Rate | Type |
| Ujrah | 1% p.a. | Fixed Shariah-compliant administrative fee |
| Conventional | 3-5% p.a. | Interest-based |
Under the Ujrah scheme, the 1% fee is charged on your remaining loan balance each year. For a RM30,000 loan, that works out to around RM25 a month at the start. For a RM50,000 loan, around RM42. As you pay down the balance, the monthly Ujrah charge gradually decreases, too. If you clear the full loan within 12 months of your loan period ending, PTPTN waives the Ujrah entirely. You only pay back what you borrowed.
When And How To Repay
Repayment starts 12 months after your loan period ends. The loan period end date is set in your loan agreement document: it is the scheduled end of your study period, not the date of your last payment. Check this date in the myPTPTN app and set a calendar alert, as PTPTN does not send a reminder. Ujrah starts being charged from month 13.
The monthly payment deadline is the 27th of each month. Anything paid after that date gets posted to the following month's statement.
PTPTN provides a Jadual Bayaran Balik (repayment schedule) in the myPTPTN app once repayment begins. This shows your monthly instalment amount and the total you owe.
You cannot pay less than the monthly instalment. Paying less puts your account into arrears (overdue status), and PTPTN can take steps to recover what you owe. You can pay more, and doing so shortens your loan and reduces total Ujrah.
If your financial situation changes, you can apply for loan restructuring via the myPTPTN app before missing a payment. Loan restructuring lets you negotiate a lower monthly instalment based on what you can afford, rather than the original schedule.
Repayment Channels
There are several ways to pay PTPTN. Some channels are free; others charge a small processing fee.
- Online via myPTPTN (no fee): FPX and JomPAY have no processing fee. myPTPTN also accepts credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) and e-wallets, including Touch 'n Go, Boost, Shopee, kiplePay, SpayGlobal (RM0.80), IIMMPACT (RM1.00), Mcash (RM1.00), and Billplz (RM0.50). Updates take up to 3 working days.
- PTPTN counter (no fee): Local debit and credit cards accepted at all PTPTN counters nationwide.
- Bank and agent counters: Prefer paying in person? You can walk into Bank Islam, Bank Rakyat, BSN, or Pos Malaysia. A small fee applies, and updates take up to 3 working days:
| Agent | Fee |
| Bank Islam | RM1.00 |
| Bank Rakyat | RM1.00 |
| BSN | RM0.50 |
| Pos Malaysia | RM2.0 |
If you plan to pay at a counter regularly, BSN is the cheapest option. Pos Malaysia costs more but has the widest branch network if convenience matters more than the fee.
- Online banking (manual transfer): Most banks charge RM1.00 per transaction, though Pos Online and CIMB Bank charge RM0.50. Updates take up to 3 working days:
| Bank | Fee |
| Bank Islam | RM1.00 |
| Bank Rakyat | RM1.00 |
| Maybank | RM1.00 |
| Public Bank | RM1.00 |
| RHB Bank | RM1.00 |
| Affin Bank | RM1.00 |
| AmBank | RM1.00 |
| Agrobank | RM1.00 |
| BSN | RM1.00 |
| Pos Online | RM0.50 |
| CIMB Bank | RM0.50 |
Use Pos Online or CIMB to keep the fee down. If your bank is not on the list, pay through myPTPTN directly. It is free.
- Cash kiosks and stores: PayQuik kiosks, Razer Cash at 7-Eleven, Digi Kiosk, KioskMedia, e-Pay (Caltex, Mydin, myNEWS), and MyPay (mobile web) all charge RM1.00 per transaction.
- Salary deduction (SG-PTPTN): Your employer deducts directly from your monthly salary. The most reliable option for salaried employees. Set it up via the Portal Majikan Online.
- Direct debit: Your bank deducts automatically on a fixed date each month. Useful if you are self-employed or your employer does not offer salary deduction.
Repayment Discounts
PTPTN runs discount campaigns periodically, usually tied to the annual Budget. Discounts have included 15% off if you pay off the full loan in one go (called a lump-sum settlement), 10% if you pay at least half of what you still owe in one payment, and 15% for setting up salary deduction or direct debit. The exact terms change each year, so check ptptn.gov.my before making a large payment.
Using EPF To Repay PTPTN
You can use savings from Akaun Sejahtera (EPF Account 2, the portion of your EPF savings set aside for housing, education, and healthcare) to repay your PTPTN loan. Whether this makes sense depends on your scheme. If you are on the Conventional scheme (3-5% p.a.), using EPF may save you more than your EPF dividends would earn. If you are on the Ujrah scheme (1% p.a.), it generally does not make financial sense. EPF dividends have consistently been paid above 5% p.a., which is higher than what you are paying in Ujrah. Keep your EPF growing and make regular PTPTN payments instead.
If you want more details on managing repayments after you graduate, the PTPTN loan repayment guide on RinggitPlus covers it in full.
What Happens If You Don't Repay
If you stop paying, it doesn't just affect your PTPTN account.
Your missed payments get recorded in CCRIS (Central Credit Reference Information System), which is a database maintained by Bank Negara Malaysia that tracks your borrowing and repayment history. Banks check your CCRIS report when you apply for a home loan, car loan, or credit card, and a bad repayment record can get your application rejected or result in a higher interest rate.
PTPTN can also impose a travel ban on certain defaulters under Budget 2026, announced in October 2025. The ban targets two categories: borrowers who earn enough to repay but deliberately do not, and those working overseas who have not made repayments. It does not apply to fresh graduates, those without income, or borrowers from the B40 and M40 groups. As of early 2026, about 0.7% of all defaulters are listed for overseas travel restrictions.
If you keep missing payments, PTPTN will send reminder letters, then a Notice of Demand, and can eventually take you to court. If that happens, the court can order money taken from your salary or your belongings sold to cover what you owe, with legal costs added on top.
If you are struggling, apply for loan restructuring via the myPTPTN app. Even a small monthly payment keeps you off the restricted list.
First Class Honours Exemption
If you graduate with First Class Honours from a public university, you may be able to get your PTPTN loan converted into a scholarship, meaning you do not have to repay it. As of 1 January 2026, this only applies to IPTA graduates from B40 or M40 households. Private university graduates are no longer eligible under the current policy, though the Higher Education Ministry has indicated it is reviewing whether to extend the exemption to IPTS graduates in the future.
B40 and M40 refer to household income groups: B40 is the bottom 40% of earners, M40 the middle 40%.
To qualify:
- Full-time Bachelor's degree programme only
- First Class Honours from an IPTA (not IPTS)
- Completed within the time specified in the PTPTN loan offer document
- The PTPTN loan did not overlap with any other sponsorship
- From a B40 or M40 household based on guardian or household income at the time of graduation (not application)
- Application submitted within 12 months of convocation date (the date of your graduation ceremony)
To check whether you qualify as B40 or M40, PTPTN looks at the combined income of the graduate and their spouse for married graduates, or the income of the graduate and both parents or guardians for single graduates.
If your diploma and degree loans were combined, only the degree portion is exempted. You still need to repay the diploma loan.
If you have already made repayments before the exemption is approved, you can apply for a refund through myPTPTN.
Apply online via myPTPTN at myptptn.ptptn.gov.my within 12 months of your convocation date. Applications after that are not accepted.
You will need to upload:
- Certified copy of your First Class Honours degree scroll
- Certified copy of your examination transcripts
- A letter confirming First Class Honours if it is not stated on your scroll
- A letter confirming your study completion date if it is not on your degree or transcript
- Income documents for your household at the time of applying: salary slip, EPF statement, tax assessment, or statutory declaration, depending on your situation
Applying For A Second PTPTN Loan
If you want to apply for a second PTPTN loan, you need to have completed your previous programme. If you cancelled, failed, or withdrew from that programme, you also need to have fully repaid that loan first. PTPTN will only approve a second loan at the same level or higher than your first. If your first loan was for a degree, you cannot go back and apply for a diploma loan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for PTPTN if I am already working?
Yes. Working adults under 45 who are enrolled or have accepted an offer at an accredited institution can apply. The household income cap still applies.
Can I apply for PTPTN for a Master's or PhD?
Only at public universities (IPTA). PTPTN does not offer loans for postgraduate study at private institutions.
When does repayment start?
Twelve months after your loan period ends. The loan period end date is set in your loan agreement document: it is the scheduled end of your study period. Check this date in the myPTPTN app and set a calendar alert, as PTPTN does not send a reminder. Ujrah starts being charged from month 13.
What is Ujrah, and how is it different from interest?
Ujrah is an administrative fee charged at 1% p.a. on your remaining loan balance each year, so the amount decreases as you pay down your loan. Conventional interest works the same way in that sense, but at a much higher rate of 3-5% p.a. If you are on the older Conventional scheme, you can convert to Ujrah for free via myPTPTN.
What if I can't afford the monthly repayment?
Apply for loan restructuring through the myPTPTN app. PTPTN is generally willing to adjust your schedule if you reach out before missing payments. The longer you wait, the fewer options you have.
Does repaying PTPTN affect my credit score?
Yes. Once repayment begins, PTPTN is recorded in CCRIS. Consistent on-time payments help your credit standing. Missed payments create negative entries that can affect home loan and car loan applications. Read more about how your credit score affects loan applications.
Can I use credit card points to pay PTPTN?
You can pay at PTPTN kiosks with a credit card, but most banks do not award points for government payments. More importantly, credit card interest runs at 15-18% p.a. If you carry a balance on your card while using it to pay a 1% p.a. Ujrah loan, you are paying far more in interest than you are saving.
What if PTPTN does not cover the full cost of my studies?
PTPTN may only cover part of your fees, depending on your household income tier. If you need to top up, compare personal loan options to see what is available.
