LPDP Director: Wealthy Individuals Should Opt for Partial Funding Scholarships

The Director of the Indonesian Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP), Sudarto, has encouraged families from affluent backgrounds to opt for partial funding scholarships rather than full scholarships. This scheme allows recipients to finance half of their study needs independently, with the other half covered by LPDP.

“If you are able, please choose the partial funding option, where 50% is from LPDP and 50% is from yourselves,” said Sudarto when met at the Directorate General of Fiscal Balance office in Jakarta on Wednesday evening, February 25, 2026.

According to him, this step aims to expand access to scholarships for more talented Indonesians. With financial contributions from affluent families, LPDP’s funds can reach a larger number of recipients.

Sudarto emphasized that the number of LPDP recipients is relatively small compared to the national demand for higher education. Therefore, LPDP focuses on selecting the “top of the top” talents in Indonesia to enable them to access world-class universities.

However, he stressed that the principle of inclusivity remains a priority. In the last three years, approximately 30% of recipients have come from affirmative action groups, such as those from the 3T regions (remote, underdeveloped, and outermost areas), underprivileged families, people with disabilities, and high-achieving athletes.

For these affirmative action groups, LPDP provides relaxed requirements, such as lower standards for English language proficiency, academic performance, and age limits. “We are aware that many talented individuals lack the same opportunities as their peers in urban areas or from affluent families,” he said.

In addition to promoting mixed funding schemes, LPDP is also expanding its partnerships with top universities in various non-English speaking countries, such as Germany, France, China, Japan, South Korea, and Russia.

According to Sudarto, the cost of education in these countries is relatively more affordable, which can increase the number of scholarship recipients. He also believes that distributing awardees to various countries will enrich their language skills and expand the network of the Indonesian diaspora.

“In the end, we need individuals who can speak Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Russian, French, and German. This is important for Indonesia’s global interactions,” he said.