Hasanuddin University’s Commitment to Supporting Underprivileged Students through Scholarship Programs

Hasanuddin University (Unhas) has long demonstrated a strong commitment to expanding access to higher education for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Through a wide range of comprehensive scholarship and financial aid programs, Unhas ensures that financial challenges do not become a barrier for young people in achieving their academic aspirations. In 2024 alone, a total of 9,761 Unhas students received scholarships from various sources, including ministries, private institutions, and internal university initiatives.

This commitment is further reflected in the launch of a full scholarship program designed to cover the educational expenses of underprivileged students until they complete their studies. The program not only provides financial assistance but also offers work opportunities for students in need. The Rector of Unhas, Prof. JJ, emphasized that thousands of scholarship slots are available for students from low-income families, allowing them to pursue higher education free of charge. This initiative reinforces Unhas’s mission to make higher education more inclusive and accessible to all segments of society.

To ensure that assistance reaches those who truly need it, Unhas has established a special admission pathway known as the Sports, Arts, and Science Development Admission Track (POSK). Applicants from underprivileged families who apply through this pathway are required to submit eligibility documents such as a Family Welfare Card (KKS) or Indonesia Smart Card for College Students (KIP-Kuliah). In 2024, Unhas admitted 70 students through the POSK admission track, all of whom are encouraged to actively participate in extracurricular activities aligned with their talents and interests.

In addition to externally funded scholarships, Unhas also mobilizes its internal resources to support students through the university’s Endowment Fund. This fund regularly provides educational assistance to students in need. For instance, during the 2024 National Education Day (Hardiknas) celebration, 86 students received financial aid from the Endowment Fund. In the same year, Unhas also welcomed 1,845 new students as recipients of the KIP-K Scholarship, a vital government program that supports access to higher education for students from low-income families.

Amid growing concerns about the increasing cost of higher education in Indonesia, the Rector of Unhas took a firm stance by declaring that there would be no increase in the Single Tuition Fee (UKT). This policy reflects the university’s deep concern for the financial burdens faced by students and their families, ensuring that higher education remains affordable and within reach.

Unhas’s efforts do not stop there. The university continues to expand its network of partnerships with social organizations and charitable foundations to maximize support for students. One notable collaboration is with the Amal Bakti Das’ad Latif Foundation, which provides additional scholarship opportunities. Furthermore, partnerships with third-party scholarship providers such as the BSI (Bank Syariah Indonesia) Scholarship have opened wider access for high-achieving students from underprivileged families to receive educational funding. Most recently, in 2024, Unhas collaborated with PT Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) to provide scholarships to 27 students from engineering and Mandarin language programs.

To maintain transparency and ease of access, all scholarship-related announcements, including the list of Endowment Fund recipients, are published on the official student affairs portal. As of 2024, Unhas offers 32 types of scholarship collaborations with ministries, local governments, companies, and charitable foundations.

Overall, the diverse scholarship and financial aid programs implemented by Unhas throughout 2024 have had a significant impact on improving access to higher education. These initiatives not only align with the first Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 1) No Poverty but also serve as a strategic investment in human capital. Through the synergy of government, university, and social foundation support, thousands of underprivileged students now have a fairer opportunity to pursue a brighter future through quality education.