Yayasan Telekom Malaysia Scholarship 2026 | Eligibility, Benefits & Application Guide

Yayasan Telekom Malaysia (YTM) has announced its Future Leaders Scholarship program. The application deadlines were earlier in May, which suggests that for 2026, similar time windows may apply.

This scholarship is designed to support outstanding Malaysian students looking to pursue pre-university, foundation, diploma or degree studies, either locally or overseas.

Who Offers This Scholarship

Yayasan TM (YTM), which is the foundation arm of Telekom Malaysia, offers this scholarship.
It is part of their “Scholarship & More” initiative, under the Future Leaders Scholarship category.

Purpose of the Scholarship

To empower Malaysia’s youth who show strong academic performance.
To help ease financial burdens so students can focus more on learning rather than worrying about money.
To develop future leaders in fields important for Malaysia’s progress, especially in technology, engineering, management, and digital innovation.

Eligibility Summary Table

Requirement	Overseas Program	Local Program
Age (by Dec 2025)	≤ 21 years	≤ 21 years
SPM Grades	~8 A+, C in Sejarah	~6 A’s, C in Sejarah
Household Income	Under RM 20,000 / month	Under RM 20,000 / month
Citizenship	Malaysian	Malaysian
Co-curricular	Active	Active

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, candidates must meet several requirements. Here are the main ones:

Malaysian citizenship
Age limit — not exceeding 21 years old in December 2025 for both local and overseas programmes.
Academic achievement
- For overseas programmes: usually 8 A+ in SPM 2024, with at least a C in Sejarah.
- For local programmes: often 6 As in SPM 2024 and also a minimum in Sejarah.
- Also, good performance in co-curricular activities.
Household income limit — often below RM 20,000 per month.
Health — good health condition.
No overlapping scholarship — you shouldn’t already be receiving a similar educational financial aid.

Fields of Study Supported

The scholarship supports several fields deemed strategic by YTM:

Engineering (especially telecommunications, data networking)
Information Technology & Digital including cyber-security, computer science etc.
Management and related business studies
Creative Multimedia

What the Scholarship Covers

The benefits are quite generous. Students awarded this scholarship usually receive:

Full or partial tuition fee waiver
Monthly living allowance / stipend
Allowances for books and other academic resources or practical tools
Possibly allowances for accommodation or other living expenses

Obligations & Bond

If you accept this scholarship, there is usually a bond (an agreement) to serve in TM Group after graduation. For local students, the bond is shorter; for overseas students, it’s longer.
You must maintain good academic performance to keep receiving the scholarship through your studies.

Application Process & Important Dates

Applications are done online via the YTM website.
For the 2025 cycle, the deadlines were:
- Overseas Program: 5 May 2025
- Local Program: 7 May 2025
For 2026, you should watch the YTM website for announcements, likely around similar months (April-May).

Required Documents

To apply, you will need:

Copy of SPM results (or equivalent academic transcripts)
Identification documents (IC/birth certificate)
Proof of household income (parents’ pay slips or equivalent)
Co-curricular achievements certificates
Other documents as requested (may include personal statement, health certificate) depending on screening stage

How Selection Works

Here is what the selection usually involves:

Initial screening to check eligibility (grades, income, etc.)
Assessment of documents like academics + co-curricular activities
Possibly a personal statement or video explaining goals, ambition, why you should be chosen
Interview stage with panel from YTM or TM

Tips to Improve Your Application

Make sure your SPM or equivalent grades are strong and meet minimum thresholds.
Be active in school clubs, volunteer work, or anything extra-curricular. Show leadership.
Prepare a clear and honest personal statement. Explain your dreams and how you plan to use this scholarship.
Have all supporting documents ready and organized (academic, income proof, identity) so there are no delays.
If applying for overseas programme, demonstrate how you can adapt, your goals, why that country or university makes a difference.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Missing the deadline. Applications late are rejected.
Submitting incomplete documents (missing grades, missing income proof etc.).
Not meeting the age or citizenship requirement.
Over-claiming co-curricular achievements or giving vague statements.
Forgetting bond obligations or ignoring terms and conditions.

What’s New or Different for 2026?

While detailed 2026 guidelines have not been fully published as of late 2025, based on past cycles:

The eligibility criteria and fields of study are expected to remain similar.
Deadlines will likely be in May 2026 for both overseas and local tracks.
The scholarship amount and coverage are likely to stay competitive, possibly with slight adjustments.
YTM may add more technology-oriented options given the increasing importance of digital skills.

How to Stay Updated

Regularly check the YTM (Yayasan Telekom Malaysia) official website, especially the Scholarship & More section.
Follow their social media pages. They usually announce via social media and Ministry of Education channels.
Sign up for newsletters or alerts if available on their site.
Talk to your school guidance counsellor — they may receive announcements about this scholarship cycle.

Conclusion

The Yayasan Telekom Malaysia Future Leaders Scholarship 2026 offers a golden chance for Malaysian students who are hardworking, ambitious, and in need of financial support. If you meet the eligibility, have strong academic records, contribute in other areas beyond class, and are ready to make an impact, this scholarship could be life changing. Stay alert for announcements, prepare carefully, and don’t delay when the application opens. If well done, your application can stand out. Best of luck!