Many Miss the Mark: How Much is the Living Allowance from the Indonesian Smart Card for Higher Education (KIP Kuliah)?

Social media is abuzz with issues surrounding the alleged misallocation of the Indonesian Smart Card (KIP) Kuliah scholarship. One instance occurred at Diponegoro University (Undip) in Central Java, where recipients, perceived to have lavish lifestyles, sparked controversy.

National Coordinator of JPPI, Ubaid Matraji, believes this phenomenon isn't isolated to a few individuals but is a national issue, necessitating a public audit involving the campus community, such as the Student Executive Board (BEM).

“The surrounding community needs to be involved, so that the data published or announced by the campus is truly verified and qualified,” said Ubaid, as reported by CNN Indonesia on Friday (3/5/2024).

Aside from this case, what is the amount of the living allowance provided by KIP Kuliah?

According to data from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek), the living allowance for KIP Kuliah recipients is divided into five clusters.

This amount has been determined by the Center for Educational Financing Services (Puslapdik) based on the calculation of the local price index of each university region, with the following details:

* Cluster 1: Rp800,000 per month
* Cluster 2: Rp950,000 per month
* Cluster 3: Rp1,100,000 per month
* Cluster 4: Rp1,250,000 per month
* Cluster 5: Rp1,400,000 per month

The living allowance is given once per semester or every six months. KIP Kuliah recipients can use this allowance for their studies.

In addition, KIP Kuliah recipients receive free tuition (Rp0) as the government pays the university directly.

* Programs with A/International Accreditation: maximum Rp8 million, and specifically for Medical programs, Rp12 million.
* Programs with B Accreditation: maximum Rp4 million.
* Programs with C Accreditation: maximum Rp2.4 million.

For information, the economic requirements for KIP Kuliah recipients are students from poor/near-poor families. This status can be proven through ownership of a Junior High School KIP, inclusion in the Social Welfare Data Base (DTKS), receiving government social assistance programs, or being from a social/foster home.

If prospective recipients do not meet one of these criteria, they can still apply as long as their parents' income is below Rp4 million per month, and they include proof of poverty in a Statement of Inability to Pay (SKTM).