The National Higher Education Fund Corporation’s savings scheme has amassed RM24 billion, with millions of accounts opened as awareness of education savings grows.

DUNGUN: The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) has recorded RM24 billion in deposits from 7.314 million accounts under its Simpanan Pendidikan Nasional (Simpan SSPN) scheme.

PTPTN chairman Datuk Seri Norliza Abdul Rahim attributed the achievement to successful campaigns last year, including the Bulan Menabung Simpan SSPN (BMS) held from September to November.

She said the campaign exceeded its initial target of RM220 million by over 100%. “This achievement also reflects growing awareness among Malaysians of the importance of saving for their children’s higher education,” she told a press conference here today.

READ MORE: Over 64,000 higher-income PTPTN borrowers owe RM257.56 mil

Norliza added that PTPTN would hold more programmes this year to encourage greater participation, particularly among B40 residents in rural areas and Felda settlements.

She noted that while awareness is relatively high, further efforts are needed to enhance it. PTPTN is exploring ways to help more rural residents open accounts, including tapping into corporate social responsibility (CSR) and wakaf funds.

“It takes just RM20 per person to open a Simpan SSPN account. After that, even those with just RM30 a month can save that sum each month,” she said.

At today’s community programme, 200 students received contributions of RM50 each in Simpan SSPN Prime Accounts from PTPTN, totalling RM10,000.

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu Holdings Sdn Bhd (UMT Holdings) also contributed RM25 in SSPN savings to each of the 200 students involved. UMT Holdings chairman Datuk Dr Din Adam said the company planned to help more students in Bukit Besi and other areas open SSPN accounts.

He said the initiative aimed to motivate students to excel in their studies and pursue higher education successfully, aligning with the company’s commitment to sustainable education and community development.

 The Sun Malaysia