EduAsiaNews, Jakarta — The government has revised the distribution scheme of the Kartu Indonesia Pintar (KIP) Kuliah program starting in 2025. Previously, quotas were determined based on each university’s program capacity and accreditation. Under the new policy, allocations are now largely tied to socio-economic data and the results of the national university entrance selection.
The policy shift comes amid a significant rise in the KIP Kuliah budget. In 2020, the program’s allocation stood at Rp 6.5 trillion. Five years later, it surged to Rp 14.9 trillion, targeting 1,044,921 students. For Fiscal Year 2026, the budget has increased again to Rp 15,323,650,458,000 for 1,047,221 students.
Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto emphasized that the ministry continues to safeguard the KIP Kuliah budget to ensure it is not reduced and that its implementation becomes more targeted. He described the program as a key instrument in maintaining access to higher education for students from poor and vulnerable families.
During the 2020–2024 period, quota distribution was based on each study program’s capacity and accreditation status, resulting in relatively stable recipient numbers at each campus from year to year. However, since 2025, the program has been managed by the Center for Higher Education Financing and Assessment (PPAPT), with a data-driven approach prioritizing recipients of social assistance and those who pass national entrance examinations.
For public universities (PTN), priority is given to holders of the Senior High School KIP card or those registered in the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS) or classified in PPKE up to decile 3, who pass the National Selection Based on Achievement (SNBP) or the National Selection Based on Test (SNBT) and have registered in the KIP Kuliah system prior to the selection process. For private universities (PTS), quotas are distributed by the Higher Education Service Institutions (LLDikti) based on each study program’s capacity and accreditation within their respective regions.
As a result, the number of recipients at a particular university may rise or fall depending on how many eligible students from poor or vulnerable families pass the national selection. A decline in recipients at one university does not indicate a reduction in the national quota or budget, but rather reflects a data-based distribution in the current year.
For example, at Universitas Negeri Medan, around 1,000 new students received KIP Kuliah in 2024. In 2025, however, more than 3,000 students from priority groups passed SNBP and SNBT, leading to a substantial increase in quota allocation. Conversely, at Universitas Gadjah Mada, the number of new KIP Kuliah recipients dropped from around 1,900 in 2024 to approximately 708 in 2025 due to fewer eligible applicants passing the selection.
Starting in 2026, the policy will be further strengthened following Presidential Instruction No. 4/2025 on the National Integrated Socio-Economic Data (DTSEN). Priority will be given to senior secondary school graduates who receive the Senior High School PIP assistance and/or are listed in DTSEN within deciles 1 to 4. For public universities, priority remains for those admitted through SNBP and SNBT, while for private universities, quota distribution will continue through LLDikti.
The ministry ensures that KIP Kuliah disbursement is conducted in an accountable, data-based manner. Regular evaluations are carried out to ensure that the assistance reaches eligible students in need of financial support. Since its launch, KIP Kuliah has become a key pillar in strengthening Indonesia’s human resources by enabling students to focus on their studies without financial burdens.
“We invite all Indonesian students from underprivileged families, especially high school and vocational school graduates, not to hesitate to pursue higher education. KIP Kuliah will serve as a bridge toward a better future,” Brian said.
To maintain transparency, the ministry has opened complaint channels through lapor.go.id, the Integrated Service Unit (ULT) call center at 126, email at ult@kemdiktisaintek.go.id
, and the ULT Kemdiktisaintek WhatsApp service at +62 851-8606-9126.(www.upnvj.ac.id)
