KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 — The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) continues to strengthen the nation’s higher education empowerment agenda by offering Loan Advance Payments (WPP) totaling RM1,500 to eligible new students to help cover part of the initial preparation costs for admission to public universities and polytechnics.

In a statement, PTPTN said the RM39.7 million scheme benefits 26,457 students entering bachelor’s degree programmes at public universities and polytechnics for the September 2026 intake.

“The WPP is available to Malaysian citizens who opted into the scheme when applying to public higher education institutions via UPUOnline or university websites.

“In addition, applicants’ parents or guardians must be recipients of Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and meet the specified eligibility criteria,” according to the statement.

From WPP’s introduction in 1999 until July 31, more than 1 million students have benefited from the initiative, with an allocation totaling RM1.48 billion, it said.

The agency, which operates under the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE), said applicants can check their offers via the myPTPTN mobile app and collect the cash at Bank Islam branches nationwide starting Sept 4 by presenting their WPP offer letter and MyKad.

“The WPP is valid for two months, from Sept 4 to Nov 3 (Tuesday),” it said, noting that third-party collection is not permitted.

Recently, PTPTN also reached out to students receiving the WPP offer through home visits in Tasek Gelugor, Penang, followed by the WPP handover ceremony for the Bukit Gelugor area, officiated by PTPTN Chairman Datuk Seri Norliza Abdul Rahim.

According to the statement, Norliza said in her speech that PTPTN remains committed to strengthening the higher education agenda by ensuring that access to education financing continues to be empowered and can be enjoyed by all layers of society regardless of background and socio-economic status.

“In line with that aspiration, PTPTN’s WPP is among the strategic initiatives implemented to provide early financial support to students, thereby helping to ease the financial burden on families in making preparations and meeting basic needs before students begin studies at public universities and polytechnics,” she said.

PTPTN also said that students who wish to apply for loans can submit applications online via the myPTPTN application during the application period set by each public university and polytechnic, to ensure applications are processed and approved accordingly.

PTPTN said students must have a National Education Savings Scheme (Simpan SSPN) account, which can be opened through the myPTPTN application, urging them to refer to the Student Affairs Division of their respective universities and polytechnics or contact PTPTN if they have any questions.

It said additional details on loan advances and educational financing can be obtained from the myPTPTN digital application for easier, faster, and safer services. — Bernama