KUALA LUMPUR: The Siswa Sulung Programme is not limited to students from B40 families, but would also encompass the underprivileged within the M40 group
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the programme, which offers aid to the first child in underprivileged families who successfully receive a place for their first degree studies at public universities has helped 1,934 students.
"M40 families of seven to eight people can also seek assistance from the programme.
"The first child from underprivileged families to enter university can get exemptions, including exemption from tuition fees and accommodation until they finish their studies," he said during the question and answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to a supplementary question from S. Kesavan (PH-Sungai Siput) on whether the ministry planned to extend the exemption from tuition fees to students from M40 families who were affected by the increase in the cost of living.
Zambry said various other initiatives had also been introduced to help university students from poor families including the M40, such as RM1,000 aid for their expenses before they receive funding from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN).
He said more than 300 students facing financial problems in university received assistance for the 2024/2025 academic session.