Over 45,000 People Receive LPDP Scholarships: Trends Since 2013

Recipients of the Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP) native scholarship program reached 45,496 individuals from 2013 to 2023. This was announced by Sri Mulyani, Minister of Finance, during a press conference on the State Budget on December 15, 2023.

Based on yearly trends cited from the LPDP's written report, recipients of this scholarship program initially numbered 1,555 in 2013.

The highest number of recipients was recorded in 2016, reaching 7,205 individuals. The lowest number was in 2020, with only 680 recipients.

LPDP states that its program covers full scholarships, comprising affirmative action, targeted groups, and general categories. In addition, there is a partial scholarship program, also consisting of targeted groups and general categories.

Proportionally, recipients of full scholarships dominate, accounting for 93.2% of total LPDP scholarship recipients up to June 30, 2023. Partial scholarships account for only 6.8%.

(Read also: This is the Funding Allocated by the Government to LPDP until 2022)

Previously, the government planned to stop allocating funds for LPDP scholarships in 2024. The Rp20 trillion annual budget would be diverted to improve the quality of higher education, vocational training, and the revitalization of vocational high schools (SMK) and polytechnics.

Muhadjir Effendy, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, explained the reason for the planned budget cessation, citing that the amount of funds managed by LPDP has accumulated to Rp139 trillion by the end of 2023, as reported by Katadata.

Muhadjir believes this amount is more than sufficient to cover all expenses for LPDP scholarship recipients this year.

"The government is reviewing whether LPDP should be continued, given its accumulated funds. Is it necessary to add more this year?" said Muhadjir at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday (January 16, 2024).

Muhadjir explained that the government annually allocates Rp20 trillion for LPDP funds, taken from the 20% education allocation in the State Budget (APBN).

The former Rector of Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) stated that the entire education budget in this year's APBN will be focused on meeting educational needs and improving the quality and quantity of research.

"So, the 20% education budget can be fully used to improve the quality of higher education, and research can be enhanced," said Muhadjir.

(Read also: The Government Plans to Stop Adding Funds to LPDP, What is the Reason?)