Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) has established a series of structured programmes and initiatives designed to assist students from the bottom 20% of household income group to successfully complete their studies. These initiatives—covering financial, academic, and welfare support—reflect the university’s commitment to inclusive education, ensuring that economic challenges do not hinder students’ access to and success in higher education.
Academic and Soft Skills Development
Recognizing that financial aid alone is not enough, UNNES also focuses on building academic resilience and soft skills among low-income students. On June 4, 2024, UNNES held a Soft Skills Strengthening and Development Programme for more than 1,000 KIP-K recipients at the Prof. Wuryanto Auditorium. In his opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Zaenuri, M.Si., Akt., Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs, emphasized the importance of responsibility and gratitude in utilizing scholarships.
“Be proud of your alma mater. Take care of it, and make the best use of this opportunity,” he said.
The event featured motivational sessions by Diyamon Prasandha, S.Pd., M.Pd., lecturer of Indonesian Language and Literature Education, who encouraged students to strengthen their communication, adaptability, and leadership skills. The programme aimed to equip scholarship recipients not only with academic excellence but also the personal and professional competencies required for future success.
UNNES’s consistent excellence in managing the KIP-K programme was recognized nationally in 2023, when it received the Best KIP-K Management Award at the Anugerah Merdeka Belajar.
Holistic Counselling and Mental Health Support
UNNES also integrates mental health and counselling services as part of its welfare system. The university provides free or affordable access to individual counselling, psychotherapy, crisis intervention, and mental health awareness programmes, facilitated by professional psychologists and trained counsellors. These services help students manage stress, overcome personal difficulties, and stay focused on completing their studies.
Financial Assistance and Scholarship Programmes
UNNES provides comprehensive financial aid through several schemes aimed at students from low-income families. The flagship programme is the Kartu Indonesia Pintar – Kuliah (KIP-K) scholarship funded by the Ministry of Education, which supports tuition fees and living costs. In 2024, UNNES received an expanded quota of 1,828 KIP-K scholarships, nearly double the previous year’s allocation.
Beyond government aid, UNNES also provides institutional scholarships such as the Rumah Amal UNNES and the Educational Patrons Board Scholarship. Rumah Amal UNNES, funded by zakat and donations from the academic community, offers living cost assistance, tuition relief, and scholarships for hafiz (Qur’an memorizers). Meanwhile, the Educational Patrons Board—formed by 14 prominent national figures—distributed IDR 2.4 billion to students in the lowest tuition categories. In total, over 20,000 students benefited from UNNES’s financial support in 2024.
Housing, Food, and Welfare Facilities
UNNES ensures that low-income students receive not only financial but also basic living support. The university operates six student dormitories—Kalisegoro, Sekaran, PGSD Ngaliyan (male and female), International, and Patemon—with 390 rooms accommodating 1,100 students. The dormitories are equipped with fully furnished rooms, free electricity and water, Wi-Fi, study areas, sports facilities, prayer rooms, and 24-hour security. Dormitory mentors also guide students in leadership and personal growth, helping them build confidence and discipline.
To support food security, UNNES maintains campus canteens offering nutritious meals at around IDR 10,000 per portion. Additionally, through the “Friday Blessing Meal” (Jumat Berkah) initiative, the university distributes 2,000 free meal portions every week to underprivileged students and staff, ensuring that no one faces food hardship during their studies.
Ensuring Academic Completion and Success
All these programmes are part of UNNES’s mission to guarantee that students from low-income backgrounds can not only access but also successfully complete their education. Through Rector’s Regulation No. 66 of 2023 on the Obligation for Scholarship Recipients to Graduate Within the Standard Study Period. Through its combined efforts in financial aid, dormitory housing, affordable meals, academic mentoring, mental health services, and soft skills training, UNNES provides a strong foundation for students from the bottom 20% income group to thrive. These integrated programmes ensure that all students can study in comfort, grow with confidence, and graduate with excellence — embodying UNNES’s principle that no student is left behind.
