Baznas RI Opens 2026 Student Scholarship for 2,500 High-Achieving Underprivileged Students

The National Board of Zakat (Baznas) RI has opened registration for the 2026 Baznas Student Scholarship, targeting 2,500 high-achieving underprivileged students throughout Indonesia. The programme was officially inaugurated at the Al-Wahabiyyah Tambakberas Islamic Boarding School in Jombang, East Java, on 29 August 2026.

In a statement in Jakarta on Sunday, the Chairman of Baznas RI, Sodik Mudjahid, noted that the Baznas Student Scholarship is designed to prepare high-achieving 12th-grade students from Madrasah Aliyah (MA) or equivalent levels for university entrance examinations. This step serves as a strategic effort by Baznas to support President Prabowo Subianto’s ‘Astacita’ programme, specifically regarding the strengthening of human resources and education.

In 2025, the programme achieved significant success, sending over 7,300 students to various State Universities (PTN), State Islamic Universities (PTKIN), leading Private Universities (PTS), and government-affiliated colleges. Notably, 4,779 out of the 10,000 total beneficiaries were the first in their families to have the opportunity to pursue a bachelor’s degree for a better future.

“From these boarding schools, we hope to produce doctors, engineers, academics, professionals, entrepreneurs, bureaucrats, and leaders who will provide real contributions to the nation towards Indonesia Emas 2045,” said Sodik.

Idy Muzayyad added that the programme was introduced because opportunities for students, particularly those in remote areas, to access prestigious state universities remain very limited. Through this programme, Baznas facilitates mentoring and tutoring to ensure they have an equal opportunity to enter favourite state universities, both general and religious.

Meanwhile, the Director of Diniyah Education and Islamic Boarding Schools (PD Pontren) at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Basnang Said, stated that the majority, or 60 per cent, of the students’ parents fall within Deciles 1, 2, and 3. “If there are those in Deciles 6, 7, or 8, they are usually from modern boarding schools,” he remarked.