Guide to top scholarships 2017

Life after SPM can be a confusing one. You have a gameplan, you know exactly what you want to do, but with rising costs, studying has never been more expensive. Maybe you’ve heard about the most notable scholarships in Malaysia,  but you can’t seem to find them online. Feeling frustrated, you give up only to find out in despair, the application for it opened and closed. Let us give you a proper guide to all the popular scholarships this year. 

What are the top scholarships?

There are many scholarships that you can look for but we here, from afterschool.my carefully picked the best scholarships just for you!

While some dates haven’t been announced, we’ve given you links of their websites and previous year’s dates, so you’ll be more than prepared! (Just check the links under ‘Click here for announcement’, and bookmark those pages.

1. Yayasan Tenaga Nasional (YTN) Scholarship

Tenaga Nasional’s scholarship helps to bring more workforces to their sector by helping engineering students achieve their dreams

Expected Applications Dates

2018

Fields of Study Bachelor’s Degree in the following subjects

• Electrical Power Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Accountancy

Academic Requirements & Qualifications

• Passed STPM with at least CGPA 3.50 or OR
• Passed Pass Diploma / Matriculation / Foundation with at least CGPA 3.50

General Requirements

• Must be no older than 23 years of age during year of application
• Active in co-curricular activities
• Possess strong personality and leadership qualities
• No other sibling currently receiving scholarship from YTN
• Has already obtained admission into first semester at a local public institution of higher learning (IPTA)

2. JPA Scholarship Program

JPA has a variety of scholarship programs for different purposes and requirements. Students who want to apply for their scholarship programs can usually start in May

Applications open

Usually first week of May (Check here for 2017 announcement)

Program Penajaan 9A+

The Program Penajaan 9A+ 2017 is an automatic sponsorship to outstanding students with Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM ) in 2016 who scored A+ in all subjects taken in the SPM 2016 with a minimum of nine (9) of the subjects were taken for further studies at universities in the country. Candidates will be offered sponsorship in the form of a Convertible Loan (PBU) to pursue preparatory courses until they obtain their First Degree.

 Program JKPJ

This is a sponsorship from the Public Service Department (PSD) in the form of Convertible Loan (PBU) under the Special Programme for Japan, Korea, France and Germany (JKPJ) Year 2017. This sponsorship programme is open to all SPM 2016 leavers who are interested in engineering, science and technology (S & T) and social science in Japan, Korea, France and Germany. Students will be sponsored to attend preparatory courses before pursuing their first degree or diploma in the countries concerned.

 Program Ijazah Dalam Negara (PIDN)

This particular one if for students who are in their first year of their Degree courses (First Degree) and have finished at least one semester of study are invited to apply for the sponsorship under the Program Ijazah Dalam Negeri (PIDN) 2017. Students will be sponsored for the duration of their first degree course in an institution that has been fixed by the Public Service Department, or JPA, in the form of a convertible loan or ‘pinjaman boleh ubah (PBU)’

General Criteria

• Malaysian
• Is in good health and not suffering from critical illnesses such as hepatitis, AIDS, HIV, etc;
• Has a Full Certificate Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM);
• Mother, father and family members are not blacklisted by the JPA or under JPA’s letigation;
• Has not accepted any financial support / sponsorship from any agency for the bachelor’s degree or the same level; and
• Fulfills academic requirements (to be notified when the application is opened).
• Note : Specific Criteria differs based on type of JPA scholarship

Preferred Discipline

• Varies

3. Bank Negara (Undergraduate) Scholarship Award

Students that want to apply for Bank Negara’s Undergraduate Scholarship need to pass their SPM examination with credits in Bahasa Melayu and English subjects

The Undergraduate Scholarships are awarded to eligible individuals who have received offers to pursue or are currently pursuing Undergraduate studies in Economics, Accounting, Finance, Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Law and Computer Science at selected leading universities locally and overseas.

Application Dates

Usually in March (Check here for 2017 announcement)

Courses

• Economics
• Accounting
• Finance
• Actuarial Science
• Law

Eligibility

• For candidates currently pursuing undergraduate – current CGPA of at least 3.50
• Passed SPM with credits in Bahasa Melayu and English subjects
• Not exceeding 25 years of age

Minimum Requirements

• STPM / A-Level – at least 2 A and 1 B; or
• Diploma / Matriculation – Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 3.50; or
• South Australian Matriculation – ATAR of at least 85%; or
• American Foundation Program – SAT1 score of at least 1200; or
• For candidates currently pursuing Undergraduate – Current CGPA of at least 3.50
• Passed SPM with credits in Bahasa Melayu and English subjects
• Not exceeding 25 years of age on 1 July 2016
• Obtained an offer to pursue or is currently pursuing Undergraduate studies in 2016 from the Bank Negara’s list of approved universities

 4. Maybank Scholarship Award

With Maybank’s CSR philosophy, “Growing with Responsibility”, the bank has been providing financial aid for them to complete their higher education

Since the inception of the award in 1972, Maybank has sponsored more than 1,000 scholars as well as provided them with employment opportunities. The scholarship awards incorporate the Bank’s CSR philosophy of ‘Growing with Responsibility’, assisting those who excel to complete their tertiary studies and pursue a career with the nation’s largest financial services group.

Application Dates

Usually in March, Last year: (Check here for 2017 announcement)

Category I: Scholarship (Bond)

 Features:

• Full education financial assistance from Pre-University/Foundation studies up to degree level at local and overseas institution (tuition fees, laptop, accommodation, and living allowance)
• Career Preparatory Suite (internships, business assignment, presentation impact and effective communication)
• Bond period of 3 to 5 years (varies according to schemes)

Requirements:

• Minimum 6As in SPM 2015 or equivalent
• Total annual household income of not more than RM150,000
• Leadership experience in co-curricular activities
• Applicant must not be a recipient of any other scholarship or award from other organisation(s) or foundation

Field of Studies:

• Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, IT, Economics, Banking, Actuarial, Mathematics, Human Resource, Psychology, Business, Law, Statistics, Investment, Risk Management, Engineering

Category II: Sponsorship (No Bond)

 Features:

• Full education financial assistance from Pre-University/Foundation studies up to degree level at local institution (tuition fees, laptop, accommodation, and living allowance)
• Career Preparatory Suite (internships, business assignment, presentation impact and effective communication)
• No bond period

Requirements:

• Minimum 6As in SPM 2015 or equivalent
• Total annual household income of not more than RM40,000
• Leadership experience in co-curricular activities
• Applicant must not be a recipient of any other scholarship or award from other organisation(s) or foundation

Field of Studies:

• All courses

5. Yayasan Sime Darby

This scholarship program not only supports students that excel academically but also participate in co-curricular activities

YSD support well-rounded students with outstanding academic achievements, active involvement in extracurricular activities and participation in community service. This scholarship applies for those who wish to pursue full-time studies at Pre-University and Undergraduate levels in prominent universities locally and overseas.

Application Dates

Usually during first week of March  (Check here for 2017 announcement)

Requirements

Pre-University Scholarship Programme (Local) – Leading to Undergraduate studies at top universities in United Kingdom

• Obtained at least (7) seven A’s (A+ and A only) for SPM 2015 Examination;
• Total monthly gross household income of RM10,000 and below;
• Interested to pursue foundation studies locally followed by undergraduate studies in United Kingdom.

 Undergraduate Scholarship Programme (Local)

• Students who have completed STPM/ Pre-University/ Foundation/ Local Matriculation/ Diploma (minimum CGPA of at least 3.50); or 3A’s for A-Level programme;
• Total monthly gross household income of RM10,000 and below;
• Interested candidates who are in their first year (semester 1 & semester 2) at top local universities are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Discipline

Business related courses

• Accounting
• Finance
• Business Management
• Economics

Engineering and Sciences related courses:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Information Technology/Information System
• Actuarial Science
• Mathematics/Statistical Science
• Agricultural Science
• Environmental Science
• Plantation Technology

6. Petronas Scholarship

PETRONAS’s scholarship programs has provided financial aid for students who want to study at the company’s own university, UTP as well as overseas

Since 1975, PETRONAS has awarded education sponsorships to more than 35,000 deserving students possessing high academic calibre. This was and still is pursued passionately by PETRONAS which continues to display a consistent appetite for innovation and a proven heart for the community. The sponsorships are open for undergraduate programmes at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) and Foreign Universities.

Application Dates

Usually around first week of March,  Check here for 2017 announcement

PESP for UTP

Successful candidates are required to complete 1-year Foundation Programme prior to pursuing the Bachelor’s Degree Programme

PESP for Foreign Universities

Successful candidates are required to complete up to 24 months of Pre-University programme prior to pursuing the Bachelor’s Degree Programme (Not released in 2017)

Requirements

Technical:

• Minimum 4A+, 5A in SPM 2015, with minimum A- for Chemistry & Physics

Non-Technical:

• Minimum 4A+, 5A in SPM 2015

Courses sponsored

• Accounting/Commerce/Finance
• Actuarial Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Economics
• Electrical & Electronic engineering
• Geology
• Law
• Mechanical Engineering
• Petroleum Engineering
• Petroleum Geoscience

7. Yayasan Khazanah

This scholarship program gives financial assistance to students who want to pursue their Undergraduate or Postgraduate studies at leading universities worldwide

The Khazanah Global Scholarship is a prestigious award that offers opportunities for bright and high-achieving Malaysians to pursue Undergraduate and Postgraduate studies at selected leading universities around the world. In addition, recipients of the Khazanah Global Scholarship are provided with leadership trainings and job attachments at leading organisations in Malaysia. The duration of the scholarship will be for the full course of study, as stipulated in the offer of admission, subject to Yayasan Khazanah’s terms and conditions.

Application Dates

Usually 2^nd-3^rd week of March (Check here for announcement)

Requirements

• Obtained admission to pursue studies or currently in the first year of a Bachelor’s Degree programme at renowned selected universities in Malaysia (Conditional offer can be considered)
• Obtained a minimum of 3As and 1B for STPM or GCE A-Levels or a minimum CGPA 3.50 / 4.00 for Pre-University or Diploma or Foundation or Matriculation Programme
• Not exceeding 21 years of age as at the enrolment date for the Bachelor’s Degree programme
• A personal statement is required (Title: Why Khazanah Nasional Scholarship is for you and how you can contribute to the good governance practice and leadership development of Malaysia)

Still got any queries? Don’t hesitate to ask us a question at any time, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. You can also browse other scholarships, all of which are currently open for applications here.