{
  "id": 8160220,
  "title": "Financial hardship puts Kelantan student's university dream at risk",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/financial-hardship-puts-kelantan-students-university-dream-at-risk",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-18T02:57:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/09/1535268/financial-hardship-puts-kelantan-students-university-dream-risk"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "TUMPAT: A 20-year-old student from Kelantan is facing the risk of missing out on her university dream due to financial hardship. Nur Jannatul Sofea Rusdi, a resident of Kampung Pantai Geting, was offered a spot at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam to study building surveying but nearly turned it down. The donated suitcase containing her few belongings and clothes was her only possession, and she lacks an essential laptop for her studies. She had paid the RM798 registration fee with assistance from the Kelantan State Development Office but still needs funds for other necessities. Her family, consisting of six siblings, can't afford the expenses and has been struggling financially due to her father's irregular income. Her mother, Hasnah Salleh, mentioned that they couldn't save for education as her husband's income is unpredictable, and an additional income from scrap metal collecting is insufficient. Despite relatives and neighbours urging her to accept the offer for her future, the family is still worried about the cost of a laptop, transport to Shah Alam, and accommodation for her daily commute, as they lack a vehicle.",
  "summary": "TUMPAT: Armed with only a donated suitcase containing a few clothes and personal items, 20-year-old Nur Jannatul Sofea Rusdi nearly turned down a university offer because her family could not afford the costs.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}