Ipoh: Repayments to the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) are vital to ensure continued education financing for future students. Its chairman, Datuk Seri Norliza Abdul Rahim, said the government allocates RM3 billion annually to support 600,000 existing and new students.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Norliza emphasized the importance of borrowers approaching PTPTN to discuss their repayments and avoid enforcement action during her speech at the PTPTN Imarah Ramadan Programme (IMRAN) @ Politeknik Ungku Omar (PUO) 2026.

Norliza highlighted PTPTN's commitment to promoting a savings culture, especially among parents, through the National Education Savings Scheme (Simpan SSPN) as an early preparation tool for their children's higher education. The aim is to shift the mindset from relying solely on loans to practising consistent savings to reduce debt after graduation.

Under Simpan SSPN Prime, depositors can benefit from income tax relief of up to RM8,000 annually, free takaful coverage, matching grants, competitive dividends, and government-guaranteed and syariah-compliant savings. Additionally, families earning up to RM4,000 a month are eligible for a matching grant of up to RM10,000.

The recent Budget 2025 saw the government expanding the matching grant eligibility to families earning between RM4,000 and RM6,000 for two years under the Ihsan Matching Grant Initiative (GAPAI), offering up to RM5,000 per family. Politeknik Ungku Omar is the second venue for the IMRAN 2026 programme, a signature event under PTPTN's corporate social responsibility efforts since 2021.