The Universitas Gadjah Mada Strategic Plan outlines the goal of admitting students from the lowest 20% of household income levels, as indicated on page 36 of the Universitas Gadjah Mada Strategic Plan 2022-2027 and page 46 of the Performance Report regarding the Affirmation and Bidikmisi Program Students. UGM provides a range of financial and academic support programs to ensure that students from low-income families can pursue their education without barriers. In 2022, UGM distributed Rp 304.5 billion in financial support to over 18 thousand students. This support is a result of cooperation with 165 partners in the form of 192 types of scholarships. This number represents a 3.08 % increase compared to the amount of financial support distributed in 2021 of Rp 295.4 billion. This feat reflects how UGM continues to ensure financial constraints do not stand in the way of students accessing education and reaching their academic potential.
Tuition Fee Subsidies
UGM implements a unique tuition system where the Uang Kuliah Tunggal (UKT), or single tuition fee, is set below the Biaya Kuliah Tunggal (BKT), the estimated full cost of education per semester. This policy complies with the Indonesian Ministry of Education Regulation No. 25 of 2020, which mandates that tuition fees at public universities cannot exceed the full cost of education per semester.
UGM’s single tuition fee system is divided into eight levels, with the highest level still capped at or below the full cost of education per semester. Data from the past five years shows that over 90% of UGM students benefit from tuition subsidies, with the majority (49.5%) falling into tuition levels 3, 4, and 5. Only 9.2% of students pay the highest tuition level, reflecting that the university implements substantial financial support for the majority of its students. The university’s holistic approach ensures all students, regardless of financial background, have the necessary resources and support to pursue their studies and contribute to their communities.
In addition to tuition subsidies, UGM provides scholarships and financial support partnerships with other government and non-government bodies. These range of financial assistance programs to support students in pursuing higher education are categorised into tuition payment support, full scholarship programs, and zakat-based community engagement assistance.
Tuition Payment Support
To ease the financial burden of tuition payments, UGM collaborates with Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI) to provide the Smart Edu BSI Hassanah Card program, which allows students to pay their tuition fees in 0% interest instalments. Through the university’s Simaster platform, students can choose instalment plans of three or six months, with applications processed within two weeks to ensure accessibility and convenience.
Scholarship Programs
For students requiring full scholarships, UGM offers several programs funded by the government, corporate partners, and employment-linked initiatives. Government-funded scholarships include the Kartu Indonesia Pintar (KIP-Kuliah), which covers full tuition and living expenses for low-income students, and the Afirmasi Pendidikan Tinggi (ADik) program, which supports students from 3T regions, including Papua and children of migrant workers. In 2023, UGM provided scholarships to 6,715 students through KIP-Kuliah and 149 students through ADik.
Zakat-Based and Community Engagement Assistance
UGM also integrates community engagement with financial assistance through its zakat-based programs. The PTH Scholarship and Volunteers Batch 30 initiative provides living allowances in three scholarship tiers and transportation stipends while involving students in zakat distribution activities. This approach not only supports students financially but also promotes social responsibility and community involvement, reflecting UGM’s commitment to fostering well-rounded and socially conscious graduates. Together, these programs ensure that financial challenges do not impede students’ academic and personal growth at UGM.
Sources:
https://ft.ugm.ac.id/pembayaran-ukt-dengan-cicilan-0-3-bulan-dan-6-bulan-menggunakan-kartu-kredit-bsi-hasanah-card/
https://www.jawapos.com/pendidikan/013286924/ugm-terima-6715-mahasiswa-kip-kuliah-dan-adik-khusus-warga-papua-hingga-anak-pmi
https://ugm.ac.id/id/berita/23542-enam-program-beasiswa-bagi-mahasiswa-ugm-dibuka-bulan-maret-2023/
https://s1.fkt.ugm.ac.id/beasiswa-ikatan-kerja-pt-musi-hutan-persada-2023/
https://rumahzis.ugm.ac.id/informasi/pembukaan-beasiswa-pth-dan-relawan-angkatan-30/6229/
https://ugm.ac.id/id/berita/23378-18-ribu-mahasiswa-ugm-dapat-dana-beasiswa-pendidikan/
https://ugm.ac.id/id/berita/23380-ugm-tetap-berkomitmen-memberikan-beasiswa-kepada-mahasiswa/