Yayasan Bank Rakyat (YBR) is the foundation arm of Bank Rakyat aiming to help Malaysian students especially from underprivileged B40 and M40 groups through financial aid scholarships or convertible financing.
One main scheme is Pembiayaan Pendidikan Boleh Ubah (PPBU) which is educational funding that may convert to partial or full scholarship depending on academic performance.
What Fields and Programmes Are Accepted
- Open to many fields of study except some restricted ones such as medical and aviation license courses.
- Priority is given to certain areas including:
- Accounting
- Banking
- Business Management
- Economics
- Media Communication
- Law
- Human Resources
- Actuarial Science
- The levels supported include Diploma Bachelor’s degree Master’s degree Doctorate or PhD Professional Studies and even recognized skills certificates under government training agencies.
Read More: Biasiswa Karangkraf Scholarship 2026 in Malaysia
Eligibility Criteria
Here are the general eligibility conditions based on past cycles. For 2026 they will likely be similar:
- Must be a Malaysian citizen.
- Must be doing full-time study at a recognized institution (public or private or recognized training institute) in Malaysia.
- Age limits depending on program:
• For Diploma or Bachelor studies not more than 30 years upon graduation.
• For Master’s degree up to about 45 years upon graduation.
• For Doctorate or PhD up to about 50 years upon graduation. - Academic requirements: a minimum CGPA for prior study (STPM Diploma) for degree master or PhD tracks.
- For Diploma or skills certification good result in SPM or equivalent is required. Some cycles required minimum “5A” in SPM for diploma track.
- Applicants usually must have a savings account with Bank Rakyat with a minimum balance (in past cycles RM100).
What the Scholarship or Funding Covers
Past data shows YBR’s scholarship or PPBU scheme includes the following benefits:
- Tuition fees plus allowance or support for study materials.
- Annual maximum funding limits depending on programme level. For example for some bachelor or diploma slots maximum funding annually is in the thousands of ringgit.
- For postgraduate programmes (Master or PhD) higher funding and monthly stipends may apply.
- Funding may be conditional on performance which might affect how much loan converts to scholarship or repayment exemption.
Possible Conditions and Obligations
- Students may need to maintain minimum academic standards each semester to remain eligible.
- Some parts of the funding are “convertible” meaning part of it might need to be repaid unless certain performance metrics are met.
- Applicants cannot hold overlapping scholarships or aid that conflict with YBR conditions.
What Is Not Yet Clear for 2026
- Exact application opening and closing dates for 2026 are not yet publicly confirmed.
- Number of slots or how many students will be selected in 2026 is not confirmed.
- Specific amounts of allowances or maximum funding for each level for 2026 may change.
Tips to Prepare a Strong Application
To improve chances:
- Aim for strong academic grades especially in STPM Diploma or prior level.
- Ensure you meet minimum requirements early such as a Bank Rakyat savings account and admission offer if needed.
- Get involved in extra-curricular or leadership activities to strengthen your profile.
- Maintain good health and clean background with no criminal records.
- Prepare documents early: transcripts proof of SPM or STPM or Diploma results proof of savings account identity documents.
- Monitor YBR’s official announcements to know the exact 2026 schedule.
Conclusion
The Yayasan Bank Rakyat Scholarship or PPBU scheme 2026 is one of the most accessible options for Malaysian students from underprivileged or middle income backgrounds who want to pursue higher education. With tuition support allowances and the chance to convert to full scholarship based on good performance it is a strong opportunity. If you plan to apply start preparing now by working on your grades meeting all eligibility conditions and preparing the necessary documents. Staying updated with YBR announcements will ensure you do not miss the opening window.