A personal loan for studies and courses

A diploma, a professional certification or your child's tuition can be a good investment, but fees often fall due all at once. A personal loan lets you pay on time and spread the cost. It is rarely the cheapest option, so this guide starts with the alternatives (PTPTN, scholarships, employer sponsorship, EPF) and then shows how to borrow only the gap.

ExampleRM 12,000 over 12 months

About RM 1,026.74 a month at 4.90% p.a.

A working adult paying for a one-year part-time professional certification. The fees were RM 18,000; the employer sponsored RM 6,000.

Apply nowWorked out at 4.9% p.a., the same rate for every period. Every approved customer pays 4.9% p.a., and your adviser confirms your amount and instalment before you sign.

What it can cover

  • Tuition fees for diplomas, degrees and part-time or online programmes
  • Professional exam, membership and certification fees
  • Registration, deposit, resource and lab fees
  • Hostel or rental costs near campus
  • A laptop, software and books needed for the course
  • Your child's tuition centre, enrichment or school fees

How much to borrow

  1. Map the whole fee schedule first

    Ask the institution for the full breakdown and payment dates for the whole programme: tuition per semester, exam fees, registration and any one-off charges. If fees are spread over several semesters, borrow for what's due in the next 12 months rather than the whole programme. You can review your situation again before the next big payment.

  2. Subtract cheaper funding before you borrow

    Check, in this order: scholarships and bursaries, PTPTN for eligible programmes, employer sponsorship, the institution's own instalment plan (ask whether it charges interest), and an EPF education withdrawal from Akaun Sejahtera, which can pay for studies at an EPF-approved institution for you or close family (conditions apply; check kwsp.gov.my). In the example on this page, RM 18,000 of fees minus RM 6,000 of employer sponsorship leaves RM 12,000 to borrow.

  3. Budget for the months you're studying

    If the course cuts your working hours or overtime, the instalment has to fit your income during the course, not only after it. Enter the income you'll actually have while studying into our Affordability calculator under Calculators to see a comfortable amount.

  4. Match the term to the course

    At our rate of 4.9% p.a., RM 12,000 costs about RM 172.09 in interest over 6 months, RM 320.88 over 12 months and RM 622.06 over 24 months. A term that ends around when the course ends means you finish both together. Choose longer only if the instalment would otherwise strain your budget.

What you'll usually need

  • Your MyKad, verified when you sign with our licensed lending partner
  • Your last 3 months' payslips, or 3 months of bank statements showing your salary
  • Optional: your EPF statement, which helps confirm a steady income
  • If you're self-employed: bank statements, and your SSM registration or Borang B if you have them
  • For your own planning: the offer letter and the institution's fee schedule with due dates

Before you borrow

Use cheaper options first

Scholarships, PTPTN, employer sponsorship and interest-free instalment plans usually cost less than a personal loan. An EPF Akaun Sejahtera withdrawal costs no interest but reduces your retirement savings, so weigh it carefully. Borrow only for what these don't cover, or when they come too late.

Check the programme is recognised

Before you pay, check that the programme is accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), for example on its online register, or recognised by the professional body you're aiming for. An unrecognised qualification can be expensive to discover later.

Pay the institution directly and keep receipts

Pay fees to the institution's official account, not to an agent's personal account. Keep every receipt and the fee statement. They help if there's a dispute, and your own fees for qualifying courses may qualify for income tax relief when you file on e-Filing (up to RM 7,000 for YA2025; check the current limits on the LHDN (HASiL) website).

Read the refund and bond terms

Check the institution's withdrawal and refund rules before paying. If your employer sponsors part of the cost, read the bond: leaving early may mean repaying the sponsorship. If you get a refund, use it to settle part of the loan early with no penalty.

Questions

Can I take this loan to pay for my child's education?

Yes. The loan is in your name and based on your income, and you can use it for your child's fees, from tuition classes to university. You choose the purpose of the loan when you apply.

Is this cheaper than PTPTN?

Usually not. PTPTN, scholarships and employer sponsorship are generally cheaper, so apply for them first. A personal loan helps when those aren't available, don't cover everything, or haven't been paid out by the time fees are due.

Should I withdraw from EPF instead of borrowing?

An EPF education withdrawal from Akaun Sejahtera charges no interest, but the money no longer grows for your retirement. If the gap is small and you can repay a loan within a year, some people prefer to keep their EPF intact. If the amount is large or your budget is tight, a withdrawal may be the better choice. Check your eligibility with KWSP first.

Can I apply if I'm a full-time student?

You need to be aged 21 to 60 with a steady income. Full-time students without income usually don't qualify, but a working parent or guardian can apply in their own name and use the loan for your fees.

What if I drop out or the course is cancelled?

The loan must still be repaid, because it's separate from your arrangement with the institution. Ask the institution for any refund due under its policy and use it to settle part or all of the loan early, which has no penalty.

Related guides

Other purposes

Apply in about 3 minutes

Work out your monthly repayment first with our calculator. Your adviser confirms your rate before you sign, and applying doesn't commit you to borrow.

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