Yesterday I made a post on tiktok about UniKL vs Mara. Among the comments received, there is one comment that reads something like this:
Enter UniKL, borrow Mara but up to 100k, accompanied by laughter.
So today I feel like answering this comment, because we often see questions or comments like this when we go out on the field. So, be careful. This post is quite long and should be read carefully.
1. UniKL fees
There is no denying that UniKL's fees are expensive, although not as expensive as the fees at Taylor's, Nottingham, Lim Kok Wing and other IPTS that reach 5 figures. On average, the undergraduate program fee at UniKL is as much as rm7,500.00 per semester.
2. MARA study loan
Many people know that MARA provides variable tuition loans to students at UniKL, IPMA and IPTA/IPTS (not all courses). This loan is called a variable loan because the payment amount will change according to the status of the student's CGPA value after completing studies. Or turn into a scholarship if the student serves with Mara or any agency under Mara.
The payment rate is as low as 10% up to 20% according to the CGPA value. Reimbursement of 50% if you do not complete your studies within the specified period and 100% if you fail or stop studying (but only pay up to the amount taken). Interestingly, no interest or fee is charged for the Mara loan.
3. Living allowance (ESH)
If the student's parents have a monthly income below rm12k, the student is eligible for a tuition and ESH loan of rm800 per month (bachelor program) or rm730 per month (diploma). If the income exceeds rm12k per month, it can still be taken into account as annual taxable income below rm150k.
For students whose parents' income exceeds rm12k to rm20k or taxable income exceeds rm150k to rm250k, they are eligible to receive tuition fee loans only without ESH.
4. Other benefits
Mara also gives a book/hardware allowance of rm600 per year. Project paper allowance of rm150 (once throughout the study) and 2-way air fare for students from Sabah and Sarawak according to the amount claimed.
5. Education Loan Count
Ok now let's do a little calculation based on the information above for the 4-year bachelor program students at UniKL who receive full loans (fees and ESH) and are students from the Peninsular and study in the Peninsular as well.
Tuition fee = rm7,500 * 8 semesters (rm60,000)
ESH. = rm800 * 48 months (rm38,400)
Book allowance = rm600 * 4 years (rm2400)
Project paper allowance = rm150
TOTAL = rm100,950
Is it a lot of debt to get a degree?
We also see the amount of refund to Mara.
Refund we refer again to item 2.
CGPA 3.50 - 4.00 (10%) = rm10,095.00
CGPA 3.00 - 3.49 (15%) = rm15,142.50
CGPA ❤.00 (20%) = rm20,190.00
6. Closing
Mom, dad, kids, show me the calculation and the repayment amount that Mara is asking for? The amount to be paid is less than the ESH that students receive throughout their studies at UniKL.
So studies are not only sponsored by fees, in fact almost 1/3 of ESH is borne by MARA.
It is hoped that this article can help shed light on the issue of expensive fees and high loans by students at UniKL.
Note 1:
The first semester tuition fee also does not need to be paid during registration by students who are eligible to apply for a Mara loan. It will be paid directly by Mara to the campus. ESH will be credited monthly to the student's bank account. Dormitory fees are paid by students or parents on a monthly basis or at once each semester.
Note 2:
With the existence of ESH, InsyaAllah the white rice menu, soy sauce omelette InsyaAllah will not become the students' staple food for every day throughout their studies.
Note 3:
For families with an income of less than rm6,000 per month, Mara still helps by providing an advance loan called e-advance. Details are in my other post. This e-advance is only given to students who will register at UniKL and IPMA only.
Please share if useful
Fara Hamidi
Bioprocess Engineering Technology
UniKL MICET