Malaysia's PTPTN eKasih Children's Scholarship has supported 1,254 students with RM20.7 million allocated between its launch on January 1 and August 31, according to the Higher Education Ministry.
The scholarship is for students from poor and hardcore poor families listed in the eKasih database who are studying full time for diplomas or bachelor's degrees at public higher education institutions.
Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim said the program was expanded to include eligible students who had already begun their studies and still had time left to complete them, not only new enrollees.
The government has allocated RM210 million for the initiative this year. The wider target includes 10,000 eKasih students and 3,000 students with disabilities, while PTPTN says applicants must first apply for a loan before their eligibility is verified.
