Every year, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) allocates scholarship funds reaching hundreds of billions originating from various financing sources, including the Voluntary Contribution for Institutional Development (SSPI) in 2022 and the Solidarity for Excellent Education Contribution (SSPU) in 2023.
The scholarship granted since 2023 are allocated to assist students facing economic difficulties to continue their studies.
The allocation amount from SSPI in 2022 reached Rp264,000,000, provided to 44 students who meet the scholarship criteria. The education assistance provided is worth Rp3,000,000.00 per student per semester.
This scholarship is awarded to active bachelor’s or applied bachelor’s program students with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
One of the scholarship recipients is Farrel Todotua Tarihoran, a 2022 cohort student from the Faculty of Engineering.
Since his father suffered a stroke and his mother was terminated from her job, this family lost their source of livelihood, making it difficult to meet daily needs. Therefore, the scholarship he received is quite helpful in supporting his studies and daily life as a student.
“My parents are not working, so the funds for daily needs come only from my guardian. I am grateful to receive this scholarship because it helps me meet my academic needs, such as purchasing stationery and course books. I am also assisted with monthly rent and daily meals,” Tarihoran said.
Nisrina Aulia, a 2022 cohort student from the Vocational College, shares a similar sentiment. She mentions that this assistance means a lot to her family.
Aulia’s father works in a store with income below the Regional Minimum Wage (UMR), while her mother mostly stays at home and occasionally receives calls for baby massage services.
With fluctuating monthly income, this family struggles to cover Aulia’s and her sibling’s tuition fees.
“I want to reduce the burden on my parents because they also have to finance my sibling’s education. This scholarship helps me pay the tuition fee, and I can even save some money to buy study materials,” she expressed.
She is grateful that there are many scholarships available for UGM students. According to her, scholarship information is easily accessible through the Directorate of Student Affairs website and social media channels.
Thanks to this scholarship, Nisrina is more motivated and confident in carrying out her activities on campus because it no longer burdens her parents with tuition fees.
Dr. Arie Sujito, the UGM Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, stated that UGM allocates a portion of its revenue from SSPI and SSPU to scholarships.
This aligns with UGM’s commitment to providing as many opportunities as possible for Indonesia’s young generation from various socioeconomic backgrounds to obtain the best education at UGM.
“We don’t want students to drop out due to financial problems. We will help, and there will be a way if you also want to fight and strive,” he said.
UGM scholarships will reopen in 2024, using the budget allocation from SSPU in 2023. The scholarship component consists of education assistance worth the semester tuition fee or a maximum of Rp4,000,000 per student per semester for two semesters.
Registration is open from Mar. 13 to Mar. 22, 2024, through simaster.ugm.ac.id. Information regarding this scholarship and other scholarships managed by UGM can be accessed through the ditmawa.ugm.ac.id/kesejahteraan website.
Author: Gloria