Introduction
Securing tuition-free education through the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) is a life-changing milestone. However, once you are enrolled at Swinburne Sarawak, Curtin Malaysia, UTS, or i-CATS UC, maintaining your award status requires staying on top of your academic performance.
While FTES provides 100% tuition coverage for your first undergraduate degree, state funding rules require students to remain in Good Academic Standing. Here is what happens if you fail a module, how academic standing is evaluated, and action steps to keep your funding secure.
What Does “Good Academic Standing” Mean?
To maintain active status under FTES, students must pass their registered coursework each semester and fulfill university progression standards:
- Passing Grade Requirements: You must achieve a passing grade (Grade D/C or above depending on course regulations) in all enrolled subjects.
- Minimum Pass Rate: Passing at least 50% or more of your enrolled credit units in a given study period (trimester or semester).
- Course Extension Limits: FTES covers the standard duration of your degree (e.g., 3 years for Business/IT, 4 years for Engineering).
What Happens If You Fail a Unit?
⚠️ Important Policy Rule: Under FTES guidelines, tuition fees for repeated or failed units are NOT funded by the Sarawak State Government.
If you fail a subject:
- Self-Funded Retakes: You must pay the tuition fee for re-taking that specific failed subject out of your own pocket.
- Standard Progression Retained: As long as you remain enrolled and clear the retake, your FTES funding continues for your remaining standard modules.
- Academic Probation: Falling below standard progression thresholds places you on Academic Caution or Probation, requiring mandatory academic counseling before your next trimester enrollment.
4 Proactive Habits to Protect Your FTES Status
1.Utilize Campus Academic Support:Identify weak subjects early.
Attend peer-assisted study sessions (PASS), consultation hours, and academic writing centers offered at Swinburne, Curtin, UTS, and i-CATS.
2.Track Census & Add/Drop Dates:Avoid census date penalties.
If you are struggling in a module, consult your faculty advisor before the official Census Date (typically Week 4) to make academic adjustments without academic penalty.
3.Manage Time & Continuous Assessments:Don’t let coursework stack up.
In university systems, mid-term assignments, quizzes, and group projects often account for 40% to 60% of your final grade.
4.Access On-Campus Student Services:Seek mental health & wellness support.
If personal or health challenges affect your studies, notify your university’s student services department immediately to record mitigating circumstances.