Malaysia Scholarship 2008-2009

KUALA TERENGGANU: The National Higher Education Fund Corporation gives RM1,500 advance money to each of selected loan recipients. 

Its chairman Datuk Razali Ismail said it is given only to those whose families earn less than RM2,000 per month. 

He said the money was to cover their preparations to enroll in public universities. 

“We assume that families earning more than RM2,000 per month will have enough money to bear their children’s initial expenses,” he told newsmen here recently.  

Earlier, state assembly speaker Datuk Che Mat Jusoh presented warrants to 513 students who will soon pursue diploma studies in public institutions of higher learning. 

The warrants totalling RM769,500 can be cashed at a local bank. 

Razali, who is also Kuala Terengganu MP, said the advance money would be given to 13,795 students pursuing their diploma studies nationwide. 

“This is about 80% of those who applied for the advance aid. The rest were rejected because their parents were earning more than RM2,000 per month,” he said. 

Razali said students enrolling for degree courses in public universities could also apply for the advance money. 

He said the number of students eligible would be known about a week after the universities announce the list of successful candidates. 

Razali urged students to spend the money wisely instead of wasting it on items not directly related to their studies. 

“Don’t spend the money on buying handphones or expensive shoes,” he said. 

In his speech, Che Mat advised students to stay in university hostels. 

He said some students in their second or third years preferred to stay outside the campus as it gave them more freedom. 

“This is unwise as the aim of enrolling in universities is to produce good results. 

“When you stay outside the campus, you will need to buy a motorcycle and the mobility could at times distract you from your studies,” he said.  

Source : Author K. SUTHAKAR,The Star  Friday June 16, 2006.