PETALING JAYA: The application portal for first-class honours graduates seeking exemption from repaying their National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans will reopen on Sept 1.
“Graduates who meet the conditions remain eligible for the exemption.
“PTPTN is currently upgrading its system, and the portal will be fully operational on Sept 1, 2025. Applications for exemption can be submitted after that date,” said PTPTN chairman Datuk Seri Norliza Abdul Rahim in an official statement on her Facebook page on Monday.
She also said that the policy for exempting loan repayments for first-class honours graduates remains in effect and has never been withdrawn.
“Hopefully, this clarification provides some relief. PTPTN remains committed to fulfilling its mandate in supporting national education,” she said.
On Aug 14, frustrated graduates began appealing to PTPTN for clarity after they were unexpectedly asked to start repaying their loans despite having attained first-class honours.
In e-mail notifications sent to borrowers last month, sighted by The Star, PTPTN provided repayment schedules as stipulated in loan agreements.
In response to complaints regarding the issue, it stated that the exemption application process and the submission of supporting documents can only be carried out once the service – currently closed – is reopened.
In a separate response to parents, the agency reiterated that approval for loan repayment exemptions is subject to the government’s current financial position, and all borrowers must continue repayments during the temporary closure.
“No manual submission method or other channels are allowed,” the e-mail read.
On June 3, an insider told The Star that the exemption application service for first-class honours graduates remains unavailable pending Finance Ministry approval.
“Applications to convert loans into scholarships for first-class honours graduates have not yet opened, and the approval date for borrowers to apply has not been confirmed.
“Borrowers will be informed once applications can be accepted,” said the insider.
Meanwhile, Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud told the Dewan Rakyat that 133,159 graduates had their loans waived, with the waiver amounting to about RM2.9bil.
“This is an incentive for graduates with PTPTN loans. They will be exempted if they achieve first class honours,” he added.
He clarified that the repayment feature on PTPTN’s online portal will go online on Sept 1 this year.
“Those eligible for exemption can make an appeal then.”
This came after attempts to appeal via PTPTN’s online portal were met with a “temporarily closed” notice.
Separately, the deputy minister added that there is no decision yet on whether to reimpose a travel ban for PTPTN loan defaulters.
Mustapha said PTPTN is also ready to assist borrowers in restructuring their loan repayments or postpone them if they have yet to secure an income or are furthering their education.
“We also issue reminders and notices to borrowers so that repayments are made,” he said.
As of July this year, he said PTPTN has approved loans to 3.1 million borrowers from the low income groups, amounting to RM59.44bil.
