Govt to help out 400,000 needy university students

JAKARTA (JP): The government will provide a special scholarship fund to assist more than 400,000 cash-strapped university students nationwide to continue their studies.

Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita said the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas), which he chairs, will provide at least Rp 200 billion (US$25 million) to help students whose parents were severely affected by the national economic turmoil.

"The only requirement is that they must study well," Ginandjar said after reporting the plan to President Soeharto at his private residence on Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta.

He stressed that the scheme was not a ploy to quiet student demonstrations, a raucous mainstay of campus life in recent months, but purely a sincere attempt to assist needy students.

During the meeting Ginandjar was also flanked by Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare and Poverty Alleviation Haryono Suyono, Minister of Education and Culture Wiranto Arismunandar and Minister of Religious Affairs Quraish Shihab.

Sixty percent of the scholarships for state and private universities will be allocated for students studying mathematics, engineering and physics.

"The remaining 40 percent will be given for social sciences and education," Ginandjar explained.

He said the scholarship scheme would be divided into three categories.

"The first category is a regular scholarship for students who have good academic standing. Students will be given the equivalent of one years' tuition worth about Rp 700,000," Ginandjar said.

At least 45,000 students will receive this type of scholarship in the 1998/1999 fiscal year.

Under the second scheme, the government will provide work- study scholarships for 184,770 students, comprised of 77,570 state university students, 68,600 private university students and 38,600 students of institutes of religious studies.

Each student will receive the same scholarship amount, Rp 700,000.

About 20 percent of the 45,000 recipients of the regular scholarship are also entitled to a work-study scholarship.

Students are required to work part-time at their universities. University administrators will give them their job assignments.

"They can work as an assistant lecturer, in the library, laboratory or in the university facilities," Ginandjar said.

For the third scheme, the government will provide a special loan for students, the amount of which will not exceed 50 percent of their annual tuition fee.

"The students are obliged to repay their debt in 10 years with a five-year grace period," said Ginandjar.

At least 184,770 students, including 77,570 from state universities, 68,600 from private universities and 38,600 from the institutes of religious studies will receive the loan.

Ginandjar did not elaborate on when students would obtain the funds.

In past loan schemes, the government usually retained the borrower's diploma until the loan was repaid. (prb)