LAST UPDATED: 17 August 2025
The JPA scholarship is a scholarship offered by the Malaysian government for students to further their studies in universities. Here, I would like to share some information about the JPA scholarship.
The JPA scholarship will sponsor for your tuition fees in full and you will be given a monthly allowance. It will not sponsor for your accommodation specifically, instead you are expected to use part of the monthly allowance to pay for the accommodation.
Between 2016 and 2024, the JPA scholarship was a convertible loan based on place of work.
- If you work in the public service after graduation, you are exempted from paying back the loan.
- If you work in a Government Linked Company (GLC) after graduation, you have to pay back 25% of the loan.
- If you work in a private company in Malaysia after graduation, you have pay back 50% of the loan.
- If you work overseas or do not work after graduation, you have to pay back 100% of the loan.
- If you fail to graduate, you have to pay back 100% of the loan.
Since 2025, the JPA scholarship is a convertible loan based on academic performance.
- For degree courses other than Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy, you have to pay back 5% of the loan if your CGPA is 3.75 to 4.00; 10% of the loan if your final CGPA is 3.50 to 3.74; 15% of the loan if your final CGPA is 3.00 to 3.49; 20% of the loan if you have any extensions in the course with a final CGPA of 3.00 or above; 100% of the loan if your final CGPA is below 3.00 or if you fail to graduate. However, if you work in the public service after graduation, you are exempted from paying back the loan.
- For Medicine course, you are exempted from paying back the loan if you successfully graduate and you work in the public service for 5 years after graduation, regardless of whether you have any extensions in the course. If you fail to graduate or do not work in the public service, you have to pay back 100% of the loan.
- For Dentistry and Pharmacy courses, you are exempted from paying back the loan if you successfully graduate and you work in the public service for 3 years after graduation, regardless of whether you have any extensions in the course. If you fail to graduate or do not work in the public service, you have to pay back 100% of the loan.
There are several different programmes of the JPA scholarship, which includes the following:
- Program Khas Lepasan SPM Dalam Negara
- Program Khas Perubatan, Pergigian dan Farmasi (Lepasan SPM)
- Program Ijazah Dalam Negara
- Program Khas Perubatan, Pergigian dan Farmasi (Ijazah Pertama)
- Program Penajaan Nasional
- Program Khas Jepun, Korea, Perancis dan Jerman
- Program Khas JPA-MARA
(A) Program Khas Lepasan SPM Dalam Negara:
This programme is for students who obtained 9A+ or above in the SPM. It replaces the previous Program Bursary and Program Penajaan 9A+ since 2020.
It first sponsors for local pre-university courses which include A Level, IB, STPM, STAM, Matriculation, AUSMAT and Foundation. You have to get a place in a pre-university course of your choice. After you have completed the pre-university course under the scholarship, you will be sponsored for your degree course if you meet the requirements.
This programme sponsors for degree courses at selected local universities only. It does not sponsor for twinning or credit transfer programmes with overseas universities. You have to get a place in a degree course of your choice.
There is no guarantee that students who meet all the requirements will be offered this programme. Students will have to undergo selection process, which involves attending interviews and the Student Assessment Centre (SAC).
For SPM 2024 students, this programme no longer sponsors for Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy. If you wish to study Medicine, Dentistry or Pharmacy, you can instead apply for the Program Khas Perubatan, Pergigian dan Farmasi (Lepasan SPM) (see part B).
List of pre-university courses sponsored by the Program Khas Lepasan SPM Dalam Negara:
1. A Level
2. International Baccalaureate (IB)
3. Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM)
4. Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM)
5. Ministry of Education Matriculation
6. Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT)
7. Foundation
List of degree courses and universities sponsored by the Program Khas Lepasan SPM Dalam Negara for SPM 2024 students:
All degree courses except Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Education and Aviation:
1. All local public universities
2. Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)
3. Universiti Multimedia (MMU)
4. Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN)
5. Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL)
6. Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) (Biomedical Sciences)
7. International Medical University (IMU)
10. INTI International University
12. Management and Science University (MSU)
13. Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU)
14. Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)
15. Monash University Malaysia
16. University of Reading Malaysia
17. Curtin University Malaysia
18. University of Nottingham Malaysia
19. University Xiamen Malaysia
20. Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus
21. Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
List of degree courses and universities sponsored by the Program Khas Lepasan SPM Dalam Negara for SPM 2021, 2022 and 2023 students:
1. All degree courses except Nursing, Education and Aviation:
All local public universities (Entry through saluran perdana only)
2. Medicine:
(For SPM 2021 and 2022 students)
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, International Medical University, Monash University Malaysia, Universiti Kuala Lumpur - Royal College of Medicine Perak, UCSI University, Management & Science University, Taylor's University, SEGi University, University of Cyberjaya, Lincoln University College, WIDAD University College
(For SPM 2023 students)
3. Dentistry:
(For SPM 2021 and 2022 students)
International Medical University, SEGi University, Lincoln University College
(For SPM 2023 students)
Not available
4. Pharmacy:
(For SPM 2021 and 2022 students)
International Medical University, UCSI University, University of Cyberjaya, Monash University Malaysia, Management & Science University, Taylor's University, SEGi University, Universiti Kuala Lumpur - Royal College of Medicine Perak, Lincoln University College
(For SPM 2023 students)
International Medical University, Monash University Malaysia, UCSI University, Taylor's University
5. Architecture:
Taylor's University, UCSI University, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
6. Engineering:
(For SPM 2021 and 2022 students)
University Teknologi Petronas, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Multimedia University, Malaysia Japan International Institute of Technology, Curtin University of Technology, Monash University Malaysia, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur, INTI University, Nilai University, SEGi University, Taylor's University, UCSI University, Universiti Selangor, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, AIMST University, KDU University College, Universiti Kuala Lumpur
(For SPM 2023 students)
Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Multimedia University, Malaysia Japan International Institute of Technology, Taylor's University, UCSI University, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Monash University Malaysia, University of Reading Malaysia, Xiamen University Malaysia, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Curtin University Malaysia, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
7. Science & Technology and Social Science:
(For SPM 2021 and 2022 students)
Monash University Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Curtin University of Technology, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Management and Science University, Sunway University, UCSI University, Taylor's University, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kolej Universiti Sains Perubatan Cyberjaya, Lincoln University College, Universiti Multimedia, Al-Madinah International University, Asia E University, City University, INTI University, Mahsa University, SEGi University, HELP University, Universiti Infrastruktur Kuala Lumpur, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Nilai University, Universiti Tun Abdul Razak, KDU University College, Kolej Universiti Hospitaliti Berjaya, Kolej Universiti Insaniah, Kolej Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Selangor, Kolej Universiti TATI, Kolej Universiti Teknologi Antarabangsa Twintech, Lim Kok Wing University of Creative Technology
(For SPM 2023 students)
Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, UCSI University, Multimedia University, Management and Science University, Taylor's University, Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Sunway University, INTI University, Monash University Malaysia, University of Reading Malaysia, Xiamen University Malaysia, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Curtin University Malaysia, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
The requirements to apply for the Program Khas Lepasan SPM Dalam Negara:
1. You have to obtain grade A+ in at least 9 subjects in SPM.
2. You must have taken the SPM for the first time within the previous year.
3. You must not have reached 19 years old (or 20 years old if you took Remove Class previously before entering Form 1).
4. You must be a citizen of Malaysia.
You have to obtain one of the following results in your pre-university course under the Program Khas Lepasan SPM Dalam Negara:
A Level: ABB
IB: 34 points
STPM: CGPA of 3.50
STAM: Jayyid Jiddan with at least 4 subjects
AUSMAT: ATAR score of 85
MOE Matriculation / Foundation: CGPA of 3.75 or Distinction
In all cases, you must not have obtained grade C (or its equivalent) or lower in any subject.
For SPM 2024 students, this programme is open for application on 30 April 2025.
To apply for this programme, go to this web page:
Once you get a place in a pre-university course, go back to the web page and update the information regarding that. After you complete the pre-university course and get a place in a degree course, go back to the web page and update that information.
For more information on this programme, go to this web page:
(B) Program Khas Perubatan, Pergigian dan Farmasi (Lepasan SPM):
This programme is for students who have just completed the SPM and wish to study Medicine, Dentistry or Pharmacy.
It first sponsors for local pre-university courses which include A Level, IB, STPM, STAM, Matriculation, AUSMAT and Foundation. You have to get a place in a pre-university course of your choice. After you have completed the pre-university course under the scholarship, you will be sponsored for your Medicine, Dentistry or Pharmacy course if you meet the requirements.
This programme sponsors for Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy courses at selected local universities only. It does not sponsor for twinning or credit transfer programmes with overseas universities. You have to get a place in a university of your choice.
There is no guarantee that students who meet all the requirements will be offered this programme. Students will have to undergo selection process, which involves attending interviews and the Student Assessment Centre (SAC).
Students who have already started studying Medicine, Dentistry or Pharmacy cannot apply for this programme, but they can instead apply for the Program Khas Perubatan, Pergigian dan Farmasi (Ijazah Pertama) (see part D).
List of pre-university courses sponsored by the Program Khas Perubatan, Pergigian dan Farmasi (Lepasan SPM):
1. A Level
2. International Baccalaureate (IB)
3. Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM)
4. Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM)
5. Ministry of Education Matriculation
6. Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT)
7. Foundation
List of universities sponsored by the Program Khas Perubatan, Pergigian dan Farmasi (Lepasan SPM):
1. All local public universities
3. International Medical University (IMU)
4. Universiti Kuala Lumpur - Royal College of Medicine Perak (UniKL-RCMP)
5. UCSI University
6. Taylor’s University
7. Management and Science University (MSU)
8. Monash University Malaysia
The requirements to apply for the Program Khas Perubatan, Pergigian dan Farmasi (Lepasan SPM):
1. You have to obtain grade A in at least 8 subjects in SPM, including:
- Grade A in Bahasa Melayu, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology
- Grade A- in Sejarah and English
2. You must have taken the SPM for the first time within the previous year.
3. You must not have reached 19 years old (or 20 years old if you took Remove Class previously before entering Form 1).
4. You must be a citizen of Malaysia.
You have to obtain one of the following results in your pre-university course under the Program Khas Perubatan, Pergigian dan Farmasi (Lepasan SPM):
STPM: CGPA of 3.50
STAM: Jayyid Jiddan with at least 4 subjects
MOE Matriculation / Foundation / A Level / IB / AUSMAT: CGPA of 3.75 or equivalent
In all cases, you must not have obtained grade C (or its equivalent) or lower in any subject.
For SPM 2024 students, this programme is open for application on 28 April 2025.
To apply for this programme, go to this web page:
Once you get a place in a pre-university course, go back to the web page and update the information regarding that. After you complete the pre-university course and get a place in a Medicine, Dentistry or Pharmacy course, go back to the web page and update that information.
For more information on this programme, go to this web page:
(C) Program Ijazah Dalam Negara:
This programme is for students who are studying a degree course at a local university and are not sponsored by any scholarship currently. This programme sponsors for degree courses at local public universities, polytechnics and local private universities with the status of Government Linked University (GLU) only. Since 2014, it does not sponsor for any other local private universities. Since 2015, students who have not yet started their degree course cannot apply for this programme.
This programme does not currently sponsor for Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy courses. If you are currently studying a Medicine, Dentistry or Pharmacy course, you can instead apply for the Program Khas Perubatan, Pergigian dan Farmasi (Ijazah Pertama) (see part D).
JPA will start sponsoring for your degree course when you get the offer for this programme and this will continue until you complete the degree course. Any tuition fees before you get the offer for this programme will not be sponsored. There is no guarantee that students who meet all the requirements will be offered this programme, as students will have to undergo selection process.
The requirements to apply for the Program Ijazah Dalam Negara:
1. You must be currently studying a degree course at a local public university, polytechnic or local private university with the status of Government Linked University (GLU), and have remaining at least 12 months in your degree course.
2. You have to obtain CGPA of 3.30 (for courses other than Engineering) or CGPA of 3.00 (for Engineering course) in the previous semester of your degree course. If you have not yet completed the 1st semester of your degree course, you have to obtain CGPA of 3.30 (or its equivalent) in your diploma course.
3. You must not have failed, repeated or deferred any subjects or semesters in your degree course.
4. You must have a full SPM certificate.
5. You must not be older than 23 years old (or 24 years old if you took Remove Class previously before entering Form 1).
6. You must be a citizen of Malaysia.
For 2025, this programme was open for application on 28 February 2025 and the application closed on 9 April 2025.
For more information on this programme, go to this web page:
(D) Program Khas Perubatan, Pergigian dan Farmasi (Ijazah Pertama):
This programme is for students who are studying a Medicine, Dentistry or Pharmacy course at a local public university and are not sponsored by any scholarship currently. It does not sponsor for local private universities or overseas universities. Students who have not yet started their Medicine, Dentistry or Pharmacy course cannot apply for this programme [Those who have just completed the SPM can instead apply for the Program Khas Perubatan, Pergigian dan Farmasi (Lepasan SPM) (see part B).]
JPA will start sponsoring for your Medicine, Dentistry or Pharmacy course when you get the offer for this programme and this will continue until you complete the degree course. Any tuition fees before you get the offer for this programme will not be sponsored. There is no guarantee that students who meet all the requirements will be offered this programme, as students will have to undergo selection process.
The requirements to apply for the Program Khas Perubatan, Pergigian dan Farmasi (Ijazah Pertama):
1. You must be currently studying a Medicine, Dentistry or Pharmacy course at a local public university and have remaining at least 12 months in your course.
2. For Medicine or Dentistry course, you have to pass the previous semester. For Pharmacy course, you have to obtain CGPA of 3.30 in the previous semester. If you have not yet completed the 1st semester of your course, you have to obtain CGPA of 3.50 (or its equivalent) in your pre-university course.
3. You must not have failed, repeated or deferred any semesters.
4. You must have a full SPM certificate.
5. You must not be older than 23 years old (or 24 years old if you took Remove Class previously before entering Form 1).
6. You must be a citizen of Malaysia.
For 2025, this programme was open for application on 28 February 2025 and the application closed on 9 April 2025.
For more information on this programme, go to this web page:
(E) Program Penajaan Nasional:
This programme is only open for application for the students who are shortlisted based on the SPM results. They have to undergo further selection process, which involves attending interviews and the Student Assessment Centre (SAC). Only the best 30 students among them will be offered this programme.
It sponsors for Engineering & Technical, Science & Technology, Social Science and Creative Industry courses at the top 20 universities in United Kingdom, Australia, China and United States based on the QS World University Rankings.
If you are offered this programme, you will study a pre-university course locally before starting the degree course. You have to get a place in one of those universities.
This is the list of shortlisted students for Engineering and Science & Technology courses for 2025:
This is the list of shortlisted students for courses other than Engineering and Science & Technology for 2025:
For 2025, this programme was open for application on 30 April 2025 and the application closed on 11 May 2025.
For more information on this programme, go to this web page:
(F) Program Khas Jepun, Korea, Perancis dan Jerman:
This programme sponsors for Engineering, Science & Technology and Social Science courses at selected universities in Japan, South Korea, France and Germany. It is for students who have just completed the SPM.
Students who are offered this programme will study a pre-university course locally before starting the degree course. You can choose the degree course.
There is no guarantee that students who meet all the requirements will be offered this programme. Students will have to undergo selection process, which involves attending interviews and the Student Assessment Centre (SAC).
The requirements to apply for the Program Khas Jepun, Korea, Perancis dan Jerman:
1. You have to obtain grade A in at least 7 subjects in SPM, including the following subjects:
- For Engineering and Science & Technology courses: Bahasa Melayu, Sejarah, English, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry
- For Social Science courses: Bahasa Melayu, Sejarah, English and Mathematics
2. You must have taken the SPM for the first time within the previous year.
3. You must not have reached 19 years old (or 20 years old if you took Remove Class previously before entering Form 1).
4. You must be a citizen of Malaysia.
For 2025, this programme was open for application on 28 April 2025 and the application closed on 11 May 2025.
For more information on this programme, go to this web page:
(G) Program Khas JPA-MARA:
This programme is for Bumiputra students who have just completed the SPM. It sponsors for Engineering, Science & Technology and Social Science courses at selected universities in Malaysia, Japan, New Zealand and United Kingdom.
Students who are offered this programme will study a pre-university course locally before starting the degree course. You can choose the degree course.
There is no guarantee that students who meet all the requirements will be offered this programme. Students will have to undergo selection process, which involves attending interviews and the Student Assessment Centre (SAC).
The requirements to apply for the Program Khas JPA-MARA:
1. You have to obtain grade A in at least 7 subjects in SPM, including the following subjects:
- For Engineering and Science & Technology courses: Bahasa Melayu, Sejarah, English, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry
- For Social Science courses: Bahasa Melayu, Sejarah, English, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics and Pendidikan Islam or Pendidikan Moral
2. You must have taken the SPM for the first time within the previous year.
3. You must not have reached 19 years old (or 20 years old if you took Remove Class previously before entering Form 1).
4. You and either one of your parents have to be Bumiputra.
5. You must be a citizen of Malaysia.
For 2025, this programme was open for application on 28 April 2025 and the application closed on 11 May 2025.
For more information on this programme, go to this web page: