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Costs and funding from SPM to enrolment: a month-by-month guide for parents

Month by month from the end of SPM 2026 to first enrolment in 2027: what happens, what it costs (UPU PIN, polytechnic fees, PTPTN amounts, SSPN) and which scholarships to know, using the latest 2025-2026 dates. Most 2027 dates are not announced yet.

Reviewed by Mereka staff

Published 24 Oct 2026Next check due 24 Jan 20278 min read30 of 30 facts verified against their sources

Key facts

  • SPM 2026 written papers end on 17 December 2026, and most 2027 application dates have not been announced yet.[1]
  • A UPUOnline PIN cost RM10.60 at BSN in 2026, and applying to Matrikulasi was free in the 2025/2026 cycle.[2][3]
  • Polytechnic and community college tuition was RM200 a semester in the latest guides we could read (JPPKK, 2023/2024; Politeknik Tawau, 2025).[4][5]
  • PTPTN lends up to RM4,750 a year for a public diploma at the maximum rate, which goes to families receiving STR.[6]
  • You need a Simpan SSPN Prime or SSPN Plus account before you can apply for PTPTN.[6]

How to read this timeline

Your child finishes SPM written papers on 17 December 2026.[1][7] Between then and the first day of study, usually somewhere between June and September 2027 depending on the route, there are several applications, offers and payments. Most 2027 dates have not been announced. Each month below shows what happened in the most recent cycle (2025 or 2026), with its year, so you know roughly when to look. Confirm every 2027 date on the official page when it is published.

December 2026: SPM ends

  • What happens: the last written paper is on 17 December 2026.[1] In the 2025/2026 cycle, Matrikulasi phase 1 applications opened on 1 December 2024, while students were still sitting SPM, and ran to 28 February 2025.[3] Watch matrikulasi.moe.gov.my for the 2027/2028 announcement.
  • TVET: applications for the January 2027 TVET intake closed on 16 November 2026, and appeals run from 7 December 2026 to 26 January 2027.[8] The page does not say whether SPM 2026 candidates can use this intake, so ask UP_TVET.
  • Costs: none required. Applying to Matrikulasi was free in that cycle.[3]
  • Do now: check whether your child has a Simpan SSPN Prime or SSPN Plus account. You need one before you can apply for PTPTN.[6] SSPN Prime also gives income-tax relief of up to RM8,000 (until year of assessment 2027), and eligible families can get a matching grant of up to RM10,000.[9]

January to March 2027: apply before results

  • UPU: for the 2026/2027 intake, UPUOnline for SPM leavers opened on 29 January 2026 and closed on 12 April 2026, after an extension.[2] One UPU form covers public universities, polytechnics, community colleges and MARA higher-education institutions.[10] Students listed up to 12 choices and had to fill at least six.[10] UPU later matched the real results with the Examinations Board.[2]
  • Costs: a UPU PIN cost RM10.60 at BSN in 2026.[2]
  • Private institutions: intakes, application fees and deposits vary by institution. Ask for them in writing, and check the programme on the MQA register before paying.[11]

March to April 2027: results day

  • What happens: SPM 2025 results came out on 31 March 2026.[12] The SPM 2026 date is not yet announced. In the 2025/2026 Matrikulasi cycle, a five-day phase 2 opened after results to update applications.[3]
  • TVET: UP_TVET's main intakes are in January and July each year.[13] Watch mohon.tvet.gov.my for the July 2027 dates.
  • Scholarships: start checking JPA, MARA, state foundations and employer schemes from results day. Windows change every year.

May 2027: offers

  • UPU: in 2026, results for SPM leavers came out on 22 May 2026, and 169,803 of 235,480 eligible applicants (72.11%) were offered a place. Those without an offer could appeal until 31 May 2026.[14] The rules gave nine days to accept an offer.[10]
  • Form Six: in 2025, offers came out on 19 May 2025 at sst6.moe.gov.my, with appeals from 19 to 25 May 2025.[15]
  • Cash help: families on Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) with a full-time diploma or degree offer at a public university or polytechnic can get a PTPTN advance (Wang Pendahuluan Pinjaman, WPP) of RM1,500 before registering. It is part of the loan, and RM500 is deducted each semester.[16]

June 2027: registration and loans

  • What happens: the 2026/2027 UPU circular planned new-student registration from 8 June 2026.[10] Form Six students reported on 10 June 2025 in the previous cycle.[15]
  • Scholarships: results for the JPA-MARA Sponsorship Programme 2026 could be checked from 19 to 22 June 2026.[17]
  • PTPTN: apply through myPTPTN once you have an offer. The loan offer is valid for 14 days, and the signed agreement must be returned within that time.[6]

July to September 2027: first enrolment

  • Fees: tuition at polytechnics and community colleges is RM200 a semester.[4][5] Hostel and other charges are extra: at Politeknik Tawau in 2025, the hostel cost RM360 a semester.[5] Matrikulasi tuition and accommodation are free.[18] Public university fees vary by programme and appear in the offer documents.
  • B40 diploma bursary: JPA's Dermasiswa B40 (DB40) asks for an offer from, or registration at, the institution, so it comes after offers. It is for first-time SPM leavers from B40 families (JPA's page sets the line at RM5,249 a month or less) going on to a diploma or TVET diploma at a public university, polytechnic or selected MARA and public skills institute.[19] Watch penajaan.jpa.gov.my for the 2027 window.

Scholarships worth knowing early

  • JPA National Sponsorship Programme (PPN): for top SPM scorers going to leading universities abroad. It needs at least 9A+ (engineering, science and technology) or 8A+ (other fields) in listed subjects, and it is a merit-based convertible loan (Pinjaman Boleh Ubah), not a grant.[20]
  • JPA Dermasiswa B40 (DB40): see July to September above. It needs a credit in Bahasa Melayu and Sejarah.[19]
  • JPA-MARA: results came out in June in 2026.[17]

The library's scholarships and loans guide covers more schemes.

PTPTN loan amounts (per year, full-time)

PTPTN pays the maximum if the student or guardian receives STR, 75% if family income is RM8,000 or less, and 50% above that.[6] Since 1 January 2024, parents' gross monthly income must be RM50,000 or less.[6]

Institution and levelMaximum (RM)75% (RM)50% (RM)
Public university, polytechnic or community college: diploma4,7503,5602,380
Public university: degree (science)6,6504,9903,330
Public university: degree (arts)6,1804,6303,090
Private institution: foundation or diploma6,8005,1003,400
Private institution: degree (science)14,03010,5207,010
Private institution: degree (arts)13,60010,2006,800

Source: PTPTN, read on 22 October 2026.[6] A loan must be repaid, and PTPTN lends only for approved courses.[6]

What this means for your child

  • Most money decisions come after an offer: PTPTN, the WPP advance and DB40 all need one. Until May, the main costs are small (a UPU PIN) or nil.
  • The cheapest public routes are cheap in tuition (Matrikulasi free, polytechnic RM200 a semester), but hostel, transport and living costs still add up. Budget for those, not only the fee.
  • A PTPTN loan must be repaid. PPN is a convertible loan (Pinjaman Boleh Ubah), so read its conversion terms before counting it as free money. DB40 is a dermasiswa (bursary).
  • Dates move every year. Treat every month here as "look from about now", not as a deadline.

Your next step

  1. By the end of December 2026, open or check a Simpan SSPN Prime account in your child's name, and keep your latest payslips and STR status ready for PTPTN.
  2. Before paying any deposit, look up the programme and campus on the MQA register(opens in a new tab),[11] and ask the institution in writing what you will pay each semester in total.

How sure are we?

Each fact or figure in this guide, and how well its sources back it up. Checking evidence is a skill: open a source and see if you agree.

30 of 30 facts verified against their sources

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    SPM 2026 written papers run from 23 November to 17 December 2026.

    Sources:[1][7]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    Between the end of SPM 2026 (17 December 2026) and first enrolment, which in the last cycle fell between June and September depending on route (UPU registration from 8 June 2026 as planned; Form Six reporting 10 June 2025), there are several applications and payments.

    Sources:[1][10][15]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    For the 2025/2026 Matrikulasi intake, phase 1 applications ran from 1 December 2024 to 28 February 2025, before SPM 2024 results; phase 2 opened for five days after results, and applying was free.

    Sources:[3]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    For the January 2027 TVET intake (Siri 1/2027), UP_TVET applications run from 1 October to 16 November 2026 (6 November for interview courses), offers 17-27 November, acceptance 30 November-6 December 2026, and appeals 7 December 2026-26 January 2027.

    Sources:[8]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    To apply for PTPTN a student needs an offer to an approved course, a Simpan SSPN Prime or SSPN Plus account, and (since 1 January 2024) parents' gross monthly income of no more than RM50,000.

    Sources:[6]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    Simpan SSPN Prime offers income-tax relief of up to RM8,000 (until year of assessment 2027) and a matching grant of up to RM10,000 for eligible families.

    Sources:[9]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    For the 2026/2027 intake, UPUOnline for SPM leavers ran in one phase from 29 January to 12 April 2026 (74 days).

    Sources:[2][10]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    In 2026/2027, the single UPU application also covered polytechnics, community colleges and MARA higher-education institutions (MARA BPT).

    Sources:[10]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    For 2026/2027, the UPU form had 12 programme choices, and applicants had to fill at least six.

    Sources:[10]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    In 2026, SPM 2025 leavers applied through UPU before their results were out: applications opened on 29 January 2026 and results were released on 31 March 2026; UPU then matched the actual results with the Examinations Board.

    Sources:[2][12]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    A UPUOnline PIN cost RM10.60 at Bank Simpanan Nasional in 2026 (including a RM0.60 BSN charge).

    Sources:[2][10]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    The Malaysian Qualifications Register lists only accredited programmes, and accreditation applies to the location where the programme is run.

    Sources:[11]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    SPM 2025 results were released on 31 March 2026, with online slips at myresultspm.moe.gov.my from 31 March to 6 April 2026.

    Sources:[12]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    The 2026/2027 UPU circular planned results for the second week of May 2026 and new-student registration from 8 June 2026, subject to change.

    Sources:[10]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    Under the 2026/2027 UPU rules, a successful applicant had nine days after results to accept, and an applicant with no offer could appeal within ten days.

    Sources:[10]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    In the last official KPM statement we could read, Form Six Semester 1 offers were released on 19 May 2025 at sst6.moe.gov.my, appeals ran 19-25 May 2025 and students reported on 10 June 2025.

    Sources:[15]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    PTPTN's Wang Pendahuluan Pinjaman is an RM1,500 advance before registration for STR-recipient families with a full-time diploma or degree offer at a public university or polytechnic; it is part of the loan and RM500 is deducted each semester.

    Sources:[16]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    Results for the JPA-MARA Sponsorship Programme 2026 could be checked from 19 to 22 June 2026.

    Sources:[17]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    A PTPTN loan offer is valid for 14 days from approval, and the signed agreement must be returned in that time.

    Sources:[6]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    Tuition at polytechnics and community colleges is RM200 per semester (JPPKK FAQ for 2023/2024; the same RM200 appears in Politeknik Tawau's 2025 registration guide).

    Sources:[4][5]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    At Politeknik Tawau in 2025, hostel fees were RM360 per semester, separate from tuition.

    Sources:[5]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    Matrikulasi KPM tuition and accommodation are free, and eligible students receive a living allowance (Bantuan Sara Hidup Pelajar); applicants must be current SPM candidates aged 20 or under (page updated 16 March 2026).

    Sources:[18]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    PTPTN pays the maximum if the student or guardian receives Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), 75% if family income is RM8,000 or less, and 50% if it is above RM8,000.

    Sources:[6]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    PTPTN's full-time loan ceilings per year are RM4,750 for a diploma at a public university, polytechnic or community college, RM6,650 (science) or RM6,180 (arts) for a public-university degree, and RM6,800 for a private-institution diploma or foundation, RM14,030 (science) or RM13,600 (arts) for a private degree.

    Sources:[6]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    At 75% and 50% of the maximum, PTPTN's yearly full-time loans are RM3,560 and RM2,380 (public diploma), RM4,990 and RM3,330 (public science degree), RM4,630 and RM3,090 (public arts degree), RM5,100 and RM3,400 (private foundation or diploma), RM10,520 and RM7,010 (private science degree), and RM10,200 and RM6,800 (private arts degree).

    Sources:[6]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    PTPTN lends only for courses approved by KPT and registered with PTPTN.

    Sources:[6]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    UP_TVET is the single application channel for TVET courses, with main (Perdana) intakes in January and July each year.

    Sources:[13]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    UPU results for SPM 2025 leavers were out on 22 May 2026: 169,803 of 235,480 eligible applicants (72.11%) were offered a place, and applicants without an offer could appeal on UPUOnline from 12:00 on 22 May to 17:00 on 31 May 2026.

    Sources:[14]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    JPA's Program Penajaan Nasional (PPN) sponsors top SPM leavers to study at leading world universities (QS 2026 top 20 overall or top 10 by subject); the award is a merit-based convertible loan (Pinjaman Boleh Ubah), and applicants need at least 9A+ (engineering, science and technology) or 8A+ (other fields) in listed subjects, with at least A- in the rest.

    Sources:[20]

  • Verified · Its sources say this.

    JPA's Dermasiswa B40 (DB40) is a bursary for first-time SPM leavers from B40 families (the page sets the line at RM5,249 a month or less) going on to a diploma or TVET diploma at a public university, polytechnic or selected MARA and public skills institute; applicants need a credit in Bahasa Melayu and Sejarah and an offer from, or registration at, the institution.

    Sources:[19]

Sources

Numbers in the text, like [1], jump here.

  1. [1]
    Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM)Kenyataan Media: Ralat Tarikh Pelaksanaan Peperiksaan Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia Tahun 2026 (opens in a new tab)Published 18 Aug 2026 · Checked 22 Oct 2026
  2. [2]
    Bahagian Kemasukan Pelajar IPTA (BKPA), Kementerian Pendidikan TinggiFAQ Permohonan UPUOnline 2026 (Lepasan SPM dan STPM/Setaraf Sesi Akademik 2026/2027) (opens in a new tab)Checked 22 Oct 2026
  3. [3]
    Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM)Kenyataan Media: Permohonan Mengikuti Program Matrikulasi Sesi 2025/2026 (opens in a new tab)Published 28 Nov 2024 · Checked 22 Oct 2026
  4. [4]
    Jabatan Pendidikan Politeknik dan Kolej Komuniti (JPPKK), KPTSoalan Lazim Pengambilan Pelajar Politeknik dan Kolej Komuniti Sesi 2023/2024 (opens in a new tab)Published 5 Jul 2023 · Checked 22 Oct 2026
  5. [5]
    Politeknik Tawau SabahBuku Panduan Pendaftaran Pelajar Politeknik Tawau Sabah 2025 (opens in a new tab)Published 1 Jul 2025 · Checked 22 Oct 2026
  6. [6]
    Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN)Pinjaman Pendidikan (syarat, jumlah pinjaman, tawaran) (opens in a new tab)Checked 22 Oct 2026
  7. [7]
    Lembaga Peperiksaan, KPMLP/SPM/2026 Jadual Waktu Peperiksaan Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia 2026 (opens in a new tab)Published 18 Aug 2026 · Checked 22 Oct 2026
  8. [8]
    Unit Pengambilan TVET (UP_TVET), Kementerian Sumber ManusiaTarikh Penting Ambilan Siri 1/2027 (opens in a new tab)Checked 23 Oct 2026
  9. [9]
    Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN)Simpan SSPN Prime (opens in a new tab)Checked 22 Oct 2026
  10. [10]
    Bahagian Kemasukan Pelajar IPTA (BKPA), Kementerian Pendidikan TinggiPekeliling Kemasukan Lepasan SPM ke UA, Politeknik, KK dan MARA BPT Sesi Akademik 2026/2027 (opens in a new tab)Checked 22 Oct 2026
  11. [11]
    Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA)Malaysian Qualifications Register (MQR): Search for Qualifications (opens in a new tab)Checked 22 Oct 2026
  12. [12]
    Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM)Kenyataan Media: Keputusan Peperiksaan Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) Tahun 2025 (opens in a new tab)Published 9 Mar 2026 · Checked 22 Oct 2026
  13. [13]
    Unit Pengambilan TVET (UP_TVET), Kementerian Sumber ManusiaUP_TVET: Saluran Tunggal Permohonan Kursus TVET di Malaysia (opens in a new tab)Checked 23 Oct 2026
  14. [14]
    Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi (KPT)Kenyataan Media: Seramai 169,803 calon lepasan SPM ditawar tempat ke IPTA menerusi UPUOnline (opens in a new tab)Published 22 May 2026 · Checked 23 Oct 2026
  15. [15]
    Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM)Kenyataan Media: Tawaran Kemasukan ke Tingkatan Enam Semester 1 Tahun 2025 (opens in a new tab)Published 18 May 2025 · Checked 22 Oct 2026
  16. [16]
    Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN)Wang Pendahuluan Pinjaman (WPP) IPTA & Politeknik (opens in a new tab)Checked 22 Oct 2026
  17. [17]
    Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA)Announcement of Results: JPA-MARA Sponsorship Programme 2026 (opens in a new tab)Checked 22 Oct 2026
  18. [18]
    Portal Rasmi Kerajaan Malaysia (MyGOV)Matrikulasi KPM (Laluan pendidikan selepas sekolah) (opens in a new tab)Published 16 Mar 2026 · Checked 22 Oct 2026
  19. [19]
    Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA)Program Dermasiswa B40 (DB40) (opens in a new tab)Checked 23 Oct 2026
  20. [20]
    Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA)Program Penajaan Nasional (PPN) (opens in a new tab)Checked 23 Oct 2026
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