Ahead of Budget 2027, higher education students call for expanded assistance to manage rising living expenses

As the Budget 2027 is set to be presented, Malaysian higher education students are urging the government to expand financial aid to assist them in managing the increasing costs of living. In addition to the current support programs like Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA), students are advocating for new measures to alleviate their everyday expenses.

Muhammad Ammar Romli, a 22-year-old member of the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam Students’ Representative Council, stated that while initiatives such as book vouchers and Menu Siswa Rahmah have positively impacted students by reducing their daily expenses, they still fall short in covering food, transportation, accommodation, and academic costs.

Increasing National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans is not seen as a complete solution by Romli, who urges the government to offer targeted assistance or subsidies to cover education and living costs without imposing additional financial burdens on students after graduation. Universiti Selangor (UNISEL) student Abhinaayasri Srivenkatarao echoed these concerns, noting that while the Madani Government has introduced various initiatives to support students, the rising cost of living remains a significant challenge.

"PTPTN loans are very helpful, but for some students they are no longer enough to cover education and living expenses," she commented.

Parents also highlighted financing higher education as a major concern, especially for families with multiple children still pursuing higher education. Zareah Kandam, a 49-year-old mother of three, explained that families face substantial pressure from tuition fees, educational supplies, and their children's daily expenses. She emphasized that while government initiatives such as education loans, scholarships, financial assistance, and subsidies have helped, some families still require additional support, particularly as living costs continue to rise.

Zareah expressed hope that the upcoming Budget 2027 would introduce more comprehensive measures, including financial assistance for students enrolling at universities, hostel fee subsidies, and higher living allowances. She also stressed the importance of simplifying the application process for aid and considering household income and the number of children pursuing higher education.

The issue of student welfare has gained traction on social media platforms, with users demanding that the government pay more attention to students' financial struggles. The government has previously launched initiatives such as Madani Book Vouchers, MySiswa Job On Campus, and Ikhtiar Dapur Siswa Madani to provide support to students. Budget 2027 is set to be presented in Parliament on October 9.