FAQ – SarawakEdu | Tertiary Education Portal

Welcome to the Sarawak FTES Knowledge Base

Navigating university admissions and state financial schemes can feel overwhelming, but securing your higher education shouldn’t be complicated.

This FAQ guide is designed to give Anak Sarawak—and their families—a clear, step-by-step roadmap to understanding the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES). Whether you are checking your baseline eligibility, planning your degree pathway, or figuring out how living allowances work, you will find quick, direct answers organized by category.

How to Use This FAQ Guide

Click on any category below to expand the questions and view official guidance. If you aren’t sure where your household stands financially, we recommend starting with our Interactive FTES Eligibility Calculator before browsing the answers.

Key Decision Factors to Consider Before You Apply

While 100% tuition coverage sounds straightforward, FTES is more than just a financial grant—it is an academic path decision. As you explore the questions below, keep these critical factors in mind:

🎓 Degree Level & Field Specifics: FTES exclusively targets first undergraduate degrees in approved strategic fields (like STEM, Medicine, Law, Business, and Finance). Foundation and Diploma programs are handled under separate state schemes.
🏛️ University Choice: The scheme applies only to state-owned institutions (SIHL)—Swinburne Sarawak, Curtin Malaysia, UTS, i-CATS UC, and CENTEXS. Federal universities (like UNIMAS or UiTM) are governed under national policies and are not part of FTES.
📑 The “No Double-Funding” Rule: You can apply for FTES while holding PTPTN or other loans/scholarships, but you cannot keep both. If approved for FTES, you must formally cancel your existing funding source.
💰 Living Expense Allowance Thresholds: While tuition is free for all eligible Sarawakians regardless of income, the RM15,000 annual living stipend is specifically reserved for households with a monthly per capita income of RM1,500 or below.

Category of FAQ

Student Eligibility & Status Criteria

1. Do I need a 'K' MyKad to be eligible for FTES?

Yes. Holding a Malaysian MyKad with the ‘K’ indicator (denoting official Sarawakian status) is the primary baseline requirement to qualify for FTES.

2. What if I am a Sarawakian but my MyKad does not have a 'K' indicator?

If your MyKad does not feature the ‘K’ indicator, you must prove your Sarawakian status under official state policy definitions (such as providing official birth certificates verifying that at least one parent is a Sarawakian) during the university application and document verification process.

3. Can non-Sarawakians or international students apply if they studied in Sarawak?

No. FTES is a state-funded initiative exclusively dedicated to Anak Sarawak. Non-Sarawakians, West Malaysians, Sabahans, and international students are not eligible for FTES and must pay standard university tuition or seek alternative funding options.

4. Is FTES open to students pursuing their second degree or postgraduate studies (Master's/PhD)?

No. FTES strictly covers a student’s first undergraduate degree (bachelor’s degree). Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree, or those applying for postgraduate programs (Master’s or PhD), are not eligible.

5. Are current ongoing university students eligible, or is FTES only for newly enrolled students?

Both newly admitted students and existing active students are eligible. Current full-time undergraduate students enrolled in approved courses at participating institutions can opt into FTES, provided they meet all other status criteria.

6. Is there an age limit to qualify for the Free Tertiary Education Scheme?

There is currently no age restriction set by the Sarawak Government for FTES. Any Sarawakian who meets university academic entry requirements and is pursuing their first degree may apply.

7. Are Foundation and Diploma students covered under FTES, or only Bachelor's Degree students?

FTES specifically targets Bachelor’s Degree programs. Foundation and Diploma programs are not covered under FTES; however, pre-university students can explore other state initiatives, such as the Yayasan Sarawak BP40 Bursary Scheme or Yayasan Sarawak Local Education Loans.