JPA opens applications for B40 Scholarship Award programme
SPM 2025 school-leavers have until Aug 16 to apply for diploma sponsorship at public universities, polytechnics, Mara TVET institutions and selected ILKA.
KUALA LUMPUR – The Public Service Department (JPA) has opened applications for its B40 Scholarship Award (Dermasiswa B40 or DB40) programme, running from Aug 3, 2026 at 2pm until Aug 16, 2026 at 5pm through the JPA Sponsorship Portal at https://penajaan.jpa.gov.my.
In a statement today, JPA said the DB40 programme is a government initiative to widen access to higher education for students from low-income families through scholarship-based sponsorship.
"Through this programme, students have the opportunity to pursue diploma studies at public universities (UA), polytechnics, Mara TVET institutions and selected Public Skills Training Institutes (ILKA) in strategic fields that support the country's human capital development," the statement said.
Eligible fields
Among the fields open for application are Engineering and Technology; Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET); Social Sciences and Arts; Science; and Architecture.
Who can apply
Applicants must be Malaysian citizens sitting the SPM 2025 examination for the first time. They must also be under 19 years old — or under 20 for transition-class students — as of Dec 31 of the examination year, and free from chronic or infectious diseases that could affect their studies.
In addition, the applicant's family per capita income must fall within the B40 category, that is RM5,249.00 a month or below.
"Parents and/or applicants must also not be blacklisted by JPA or be subject to ongoing JPA legal action.
"Blacklist status can be checked through the eSILA system from Aug 3 to Aug 12, 2026," the statement said.
JPA encouraged all eligible SPM 2025 school-leavers to seize the opportunity by submitting their applications within the stipulated period.
The department said the programme is part of its continuing efforts to support access to higher education and to produce knowledgeable, skilled and competitive human capital.
Enquiries during the application period can be directed to 03-8000 8000 or JPA's official email during working hours.
This article was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), in accordance with our editorial policy.