Minister Instructs Universities to Trace Students Who Failed to Re-register

Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto has instructed all state universities to trace prospective new students who have been declared successful in the selection process but have not completed their re-registration. Brian stated that this step is crucial to ensure that no prospective students are forced to abandon their studies due to economic limitations.

“This tracing is carried out to obtain a more complete picture of the various factors influencing a prospective student’s decision not to continue the registration process,” he said in a written statement on Friday, 3 July 2026.

Brian said the ministry respects the choices of prospective students who opt for other universities or educational pathways. However, if the main reason for not re-registering is financial constraints, the state must be present to provide a solution. He has asked universities to review the single tuition fee (UKT) amounts assigned to these prospective students.

“If there are prospective students who do not continue their studies due to financial difficulties, we want to ensure the state is present to offer a solution,” Brian stated. In addition to adjusting tuition fees, he has asked universities to seek other support schemes for underprivileged students, including university-funded scholarships, alumni and partner-funded scholarships, and work scholarship programmes that allow students to receive financial aid while gaining work experience.

Brian cited a policy at the University of Mataram as an example, where approximately 42 per cent of students pay tuition fees in the lowest bracket, ranging from Rp 500,000 to Rp 1 million per semester. He noted that 690 students at the university have also received full tuition waivers.

“Higher education is a strategic investment for the nation’s future. We must ensure that every talented child of the nation has the opportunity to continue their education, regardless of their economic background,” he said. Previously, it was reported that out of a total capacity of 627,957 seats at state universities in 2026, 60,131 successful applicants did not re-register.