Introduction
Under the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), all eligible Sarawakians receive 100% free tuition regardless of family wealth. However, students from lower- and middle-income families can also receive an additional RM15,000 annual living stipend (RM5,000 accommodation + RM10,000 general allowance).
To determine if you qualify for this extra financial support, the state government uses a specific metric: Household Per Capita Income.
What is Household Per Capita Income?
Unlike Gross Household Income (which simply adds up all money brought in by working parents), Per Capita Income measures the financial resources available per family member. This ensures larger families with dependents are evaluated fairly.
The Official Calculation Formula
Per Capita Income= Total Monthly Gross Household Income/Total Number of Household Dependents
Step-by-Step Calculation Guide
Step 1: Calculate Total Gross Monthly Household Income
Add together the monthly gross earnings of both parents/guardians living in the household. Include:
- Base monthly salary
- Fixed monthly allowances
- Pension payments
- Regular business profits / rental income
(Do NOT deduct EPF, SOCSO, or income taxes).
Step 2: Count Total Household Dependents
Count everyone who lives in the home and relies on that income:
- Both parents/guardians
- Unemployed or schooling children (regardless of age if full-time students)
- Elderly grandparents or disabled family members living under the same roof
Step 3: Divide Income by Dependents
Divide the total from Step 1 by the total count from Step 2.
Real-World Examples
| Scenario | Total Monthly Household Income | Household Size (Dependents) | Calculation | Per Capita Income | Stipend Qualification |
| Family A | RM 6,000 | 5 members | RM6,000 ÷ 5 | RM 1,200 | QUALIFIED (≤RM1,500) |
| Family B | RM 5,000 | 3 members | RM5,000 ÷ 3 | RM 1,666 | Tuition Only (>RM1,500) |
| Family C | RM 9,000 | 7 members | RM9,000 ÷ 7 | RM 1,285 | QUALIFIED (≤RM1,500) |
What Documents Prove Your Per Capita Income?
To prove your per capita income during your application, prepare:
- Payslips / EA Forms: For salaried parents.
- Official Income Declaration Form (Surat Pengesahan Pendapatan): For self-employed parents (e.g., farmers, petty traders, gig workers). This must be stamped by a District Officer (Pegawai Daerah) or Community Leader (Tuai Rumah, Kapitan, or Ketua Masyarakat).
- MyKad Scans of All Dependents: Proves family size.