March 30 is closing date for Star fund

THE closing date for the Star Education Fund is on March 30.

The Star Education Fund, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, is offering 295 scholarships worth nearly RM16.1mil from 31 institutions this year.

Star Education Fund manager Susanna Kuan said while good grades are important, students need not be straight-A scorers to secure a scholarship.

Participation in extra curricular activities would be taken into consideration as well, she added.

“Scoring straight As is not the sole criteria of securing the scholarship.

“How you carry yourself during the interviews, family background as well as co-curricular and sports participation matters too,” she said.

It is important for students to choose a course they are interested in when applying for a scholarship.

“If you really want a scholarship, a good personal statement on why you deserve it is needed for you to stand out from the crowd,” she added.

To be eligible, students must be Malaysians no older than 25-yearsold as of Jan 1 for undergraduate courses.

There is no age limit for postgraduate students.

Monash University Malaysia and the University of Reading Malaysia are the fund’s new partners for 2018, while Penang Medical College returns as a partner.

These scholarships cover a wide range of fields and disciplines, from entry-level courses to postgraduate education and professional studies. The scholarships are all bond-free.

Kuan explained that every scholarship application is vetted by representatives from The Star and its partner institutions.

Applicants will be shortlisted in early April and informed via e-mail. Scholarship interviews will be held from April to June.

The 31 partners-in-education are Brickfields Asia College, Equator College, Erican College, HELP University, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur, KDU University College, KDU Penang University College, Kolej Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Malaysian Institute of Art, Management & Science University, MSU College Penang, Methodist College Kuala Lumpur, Monash University Malaysia, Multimedia University, Oriental Nilam College of Nursing & Health Sciences, Penang Medical College, Quest International University Perak, Saito University College, SEGi University & Colleges, Sentral College Penang, Sunway University, Sunway College, Sunway College Ipoh, Sunway College Johor Bahru, Taylor’s University, UCSI University Trust, University of Nottingham Malaysia, University of Reading Malaysia and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman.

For more information, visit thestar.com.my/edufund or send an e-mail to edufund@thestar.com. my.

Completed application forms must reach: The Star Education Fund, Star Media Group Berhad, Menara Star, 15 Jalan 16/11, Section 16, 46350 Petaling Jaya by March 30.