MALAYSIANS keen on pursuing their tertiary education at Princeton University in the United States will have the opportunity to do so for free as the institution recently enhanced its financial aid to attract top talents to its hallowed halls.
Most students from families earning up to US$100,000 (RM449,800) a year will pay nothing for tuition, room and board – up from the previous US$65,000 (RM292,370) annual income level, according to a statement from the university on Sept 8.
In addition, many families with annual income above US$100,000 will receive additional aid, including those at higher income levels with multiple children in college.From fall next year, Dean of the College Jill Dolan said, the university will make other enhancements to financially support students.
For example, the varsity will increase from US$3,500 (RM15,760) to US$4,050 (RM18,216) the annual personal and books allowance used in financial aid packages to provide more flexibility for students to cover coursebooks and other miscellaneous expenses.
The varsity’s president Christopher L. Eisgruber said: “One of Princeton’s defining values is our commitment to ensure that talented students from all backgrounds not only can afford a Princeton education, but can also flourish on our campus and in the world beyond it.”
“These improvements to our aid packages, made possible by the sustained generosity of our alumni and friends, will enhance the experiences of students during their time at Princeton, and their choices and impact after they graduate,” he added.
Some 1,500 Princeton undergraduates are expected to receive this level of aid, which is more than 25% of the undergraduate student body.
Encouraging Malaysians to explore available financial aid offered by the country’s universities, US Embassy Kuala Lumpur cultural affairs officer Katherine Diop said many institutions offer various forms of funding for eligible international students yearly.
They can seek free advice from EducationUSA Malaysia, she said.
“Students can get personalised advice from EducationUSA advisers, through in-person or virtual sessions, on how to navigate the application process and explore funding opportunities from US universities,” she told StarEdu.
There are currently 5,280 Malaysians studying in the US.
Among notable Malaysians who have studied at Princeton University is former Penang chief minister and former minister in the prime minister’s department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.
