Top Scholarships SPM Graduates Can Apply To in 2025

SPM results are coming out soon—and if you're already thinking about what comes next, you’re on the right track. Whether you’re planning to do a diploma, foundation, or degree, one thing’s clear: further studies can get expensive. That’s where scholarships can really help.

The good news? A bunch of great ones are still open for applications this year. Below, we’ve put together a list of scholarships that SPM leavers like you can still apply for in 2025. You’ll find out who it’s for, what it covers, and how to apply.

Government & National Scholarships

1. JPA Program Penajaan Nasional (PPN)

A government scholarship for top-performing SPM leavers to study locally or abroad.

Who It’s For: SPM leavers with excellent academic results

What It Covers: Full tuition fees, living allowance, and other study-related costs

Deadline: To be announced (usually opens after SPM results)

How to Apply: Via the official JPA website: https://bmipenajaan.jpa.gov.my/ms/program-penajaan/latihan-sebelum-perkhidmatan/program-untuk-pelajar/program-penajaan-nasional

2. MARA Scholarships

Financial assistance for Bumiputera students pursuing higher education.

Who It’s For: Bumiputera students pursuing diploma or degree programmes

What It Covers: Tuition fees, living allowances, and other related expenses

Deadline: Opens shortly after SPM results are released

How to Apply: Via the official JPA website: https://www.mara.gov.my/en/index/

3. Bank Negara Malaysia Kijang Scholarship

A highly competitive scholarship awarded to students pursuing pre-university studies at BNM’s approved colleges, with a pathway to undergraduate sponsorship.

Who It’s For: SPM leavers with a minimum of 8As (A and A+ only), aged 19 or below on 1 July 2025. Applicants must demonstrate strong leadership, teamwork, and exceptional interpersonal skills.

What It Covers: Full tuition fees, subsistence allowance, and related scholarship costs for pre-university studies. Continued undergraduate funding is subject to performance.

Deadline: To be announced

How to Apply: Visit https://www.bnm.gov.my/careers/scholarships for updates and application details.

4. Yayasan Tenaga Nasional Scholarship

The TNB Shine Sponsorship supports students at various levels of study, with a focus on academic excellence and national development.

Who It’s For: Malaysian students pursuing Foundation, Diploma, or Degree programmes at either public universities (IPTA) or Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN)

What It Covers: Full sponsorship of tuition fees and related allowances for approved study levels

Deadline: To be announced

How to Apply: Visit https://www.tnb.com.my/about-tnb/scholarships for eligibility criteria and application details.

5. Tunku Abdul Rahman Scholarship (YTAR)

A highly respected undergraduate scholarship that supports high-potential, deserving students who aim to contribute to the development of Malaysia.

Who It’s For: Malaysian students enrolling or currently enrolled in any MQA-accredited undergraduate programme, with strong ambition, academic potential, and a commitment to creating positive change

What It Covers: Full tuition fees, living allowances (monthly and annual), a one-off laptop and flight allowance, and a 2-year leadership development programme to nurture young changemakers

Deadline: 15 April 2025 at 2 p.m. (Applications opened on 8 February 2025)

How to Apply: Submit your application through the official YTAR website: yayasantar.org.my

6. Yayasan TM Future Leaders Scholarship

Designed to nurture future-ready Malaysian talents through academic support and leadership development.

Who It’s For: Malaysian citizens in good health who sat for SPM 2024, with a minimum of 8 A+ and not exceeding 21 years old in December 2025. Applicants should also be active in co-curricular activities.

What It Covers: Full or partial tuition fees, allowance, and additional leadership opportunities (exact coverage varies by programme and intake).

Deadline: Applications will open after the announcement of the SPM examination results.

How to Apply: Visit https://ytm.tm.com.my/scholarships-future-leader for application details and eligibility confirmation.

7. Yayasan Khazanah Scholarship

A prestigious scholarship for Malaysia’s top talents, combining academic excellence with leadership development and career support.

Who It’s For: High-achieving Malaysian students with at least excellent academic results, strong leadership potential and a commitment to national development.

What It Covers: Full tuition fees, living expenses, accommodation, as well as developmental and training support. Scholars may study at top universities locally or abroad.

Deadline: To be announced

How to Apply: Submit your application via https://www.yayasankhazanah.com.my/scholarship-programmes

8. Yayasan Bank Rakyat Scholarship

A social-impact driven scholarship aimed at uplifting underprivileged yet high-potential Malaysian students through education.

Who It’s For: Malaysian citizens pursuing full-time diploma or degree programmes, especially those who demonstrate academic achievement and active involvement in community or co-curricular development

What It Covers: Tuition fees, living expenses, and support programmes focused on education, employability and personal development.

Deadline: To be announced

How to Apply: Visit https://www.yayasanbankrakyat.com.my/ for updates and applications.

Corporate Scholarships

9. Gamuda Scholarship Programme

An industry-backed scholarship for high-achieving students who want to pursue a full-time degree in fields like engineering, IT, business, and more.

Who It’s For: Malaysian pre-university leavers and undergraduates pursuing their first full-time degree in approved fields (e.g. engineering, IT, finance, architecture, psychology, etc.)

What It Covers: Tuition fees, living allowance, accommodation, laptop, books, and return airfare (for overseas studies).

Deadline: 30 April 2025

How to Apply: Apply through the official site: https://gamuda.com.my/yayasan-gamuda/scholarship/

10. CIMB ASEAN Scholarship

A competitive regional scholarship aimed at developing future leaders in the banking and finance industry across ASEAN.

Who It’s For: Malaysian citizens (25 and below) with at least 8As in SPM or equivalent, currently in pre-university and about to start their undergraduate degree

What It Covers: Full tuition fees, flight tickets, visa costs, living expenses, books, a laptop, and mentorship

Deadline: 25 April 2025 (Applications opened 2 April 2025)

How to Apply: Apply through the official site: https://www.cimb.com/en/careers/students/cimb-asean-scholarship.html

11. CIMB ASEAN Scholarship 

For students passionate about engineering, science and business, backed by one of the world’s leading energy companies.

Who It’s For: 2024 SPM or 2025 O-Level leavers with a minimum of 8As (A/A+), who are willing to pursue A-levels at a Shell-approved institution. Candidates must also show strong leadership qualities and be active in extracurricular activities.

What It Covers: Full sponsorship for A-levels and undergraduate studies (local or overseas), including tuition fees, allowances, and mentoring support.

Fields of Study: Engineering (various disciplines), Environmental Sciences, Geosciences, Business, and Digital Marketing.

Deadline: Expected to open on the day SPM results are released in May/June 2025.

How to Apply: Applications will be available at shell.com.my when open.

12. PETRONAS Education Sponsorship Programme (PESP)

One of Malaysia’s most competitive scholarships for high-potential students in STEM.

Who It’s For: SPM 2024 leavers with strong academic achievements, leadership qualities, and involvement in extracurricular activities. Applicants must score at least 8As (for local programmes) or 4A+ & 4A (for overseas programmes), with strong CEFR English levels.

What It Covers: Full tuition fees, accommodation, living allowance, and development programmes — with guaranteed job placement at PETRONAS upon graduation.

Deadline: To be announced (opens after SPM results)

How to Apply: Submit through the official PETRONAS application portal: https://www.petronas.com/careers/students-graduates

13. KFC Scholarship Programme

A scholarship programme by KFC Malaysia for bright students from B40 families who have received an unconditional offer to pursue their first bachelor's degree at a local public university.

Who It’s For: Malaysian students aged 18 to 21 from B40 households, with at least 6As (A and A+) in SPM including A+ in Bahasa Melayu, English, and Sejarah. Must have received an unconditional offer to study at a local public university.

What It Covers: Up to 4 years of tuition fees at selected public universities, plus a monthly living allowance. Includes a structured personal development programme.

Deadline: To be announced

How to Apply: Via the official KFC Scholarship website when applications open. 

Underrated but Worth Exploring

14. YTL Foundation Scholarship

A need-based scholarship supporting Malaysian students pursuing their first undergraduate degree at local public or private universities.

Who It’s For: Malaysian students who have completed STPM, Matriculation, A-Levels, or foundation studies, and are entering a full-time degree programme

What It Covers: Tuition fees, living expenses and paid internships

Bonus Perks: Priority given to students in fields like engineering, computer science, quantity surveying, finance, accounting, creative arts, and social sciences. Includes a bond period after graduation (5 years for public uni, 6 years for private)

Deadline: Not announced, but applications are currently open

How to Apply: Submit your application at https://ytlfoundation.org/applynow/

15. BAGUS Scholarship (Bank Pembangunan Malaysia)

A merit-based scholarship for future changemakers in banking, business, technology, and policy-related fields.

Who It’s For: Malaysian citizens aged 17–23 with excellent SPM or pre-university results, entering their first undergraduate degree. Applicants must not be receiving other scholarships.

What It Covers: Tuition fees, living allowance, and related study expenses

Fields Covered: Business, Finance, ICT, Engineering, Data Science, Psychology, Law, Political Science, and other fields linked to national development

Bonus Perks: Access to top local or international universities, internship opportunities, and guaranteed employment at Bank Pembangunan for up to six years

Deadline: 15 July 2025

How to Apply: Through the official website: https://www.bpmb.com.my/ms/biasiswa/

Final Tips for Applicants

Start Now: Some scholarships close as soon as they hit their quota. Don’t wait.

Prepare Documents Early: You’ll usually need your SPM results, personal statement, and sometimes references.

Read the Fine Print: Double-check eligibility and required documents on the official websites.

Good Luck to all applicants!