Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) Reinforced its support for students facing economic hardship through a range of basic-needs assistance programmes throughout 2025. The support covered living and education expenses, free meals, accommodation at no cost, campus transportation, mental health services, and legal assistance. Some programmes were specifically designated for students from economically disadvantaged families, while other services were available to the wider student population as part of the university’s efforts to reduce barriers that could disrupt the continuity of their studies.
Financial Assistance for Living and Education Expenses for Students from Low-Income Families
One form of support provided by UNNES is delivered through Rumah Amal UNNES, which regularly distributes scholarships and educational assistance. These programmes have clearly defined target groups, particularly through the Regular Scholarship and Single Tuition Fee (Uang Kuliah Tunggal/UKT) Assistance programmes, which are intended for students from economically disadvantaged families.
In addition to these programmes, UNNES provides tuition fee subsidies for students across different UKT categories. For the 2025 student cohort, the subsidy scheme covers students receiving full tuition assistance through the KIP Kuliah scholarship, as well as students in UKT Categories 1 to 6, with subsidy rates ranging from 15% to 90%.
Table. UKT Subsidies for the 2025 Student Cohort
| UKT Category | Number of Students | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 100% Subsidy – KIP Kuliah Scholarship | 1,716 | 15.23% |
| 90% Subsidy – Category 1 | 67 | 0.59% |
| 80% Subsidy – Category 2 | 704 | 6.25% |
| 60% Subsidy – Category 3 | 388 | 3.44% |
| 30% Subsidy – Category 4 | 1,689 | 14.99% |
| 20% Subsidy – Category 5 | 2,247 | 19.95% |
| 15% Subsidy – Category 6 | 1,756 | 15.59% |
| No Subsidy – Category 7 | 2,697 | 23.94% |
| Total students receiving subsidies | 8,567 | 76.06% |
Through this scheme, 76.06% of the 2025 student cohort received tuition fee subsidies at varying levels. This support reflects UNNES’s efforts to reduce the financial burden of higher education and expand access to university education for students from diverse economic backgrounds.
Rumah Amal Scholarship
These provisions were stipulated in Rumah Amal UNNES Letter No. 13.001/RAU/I/2025, dated 2 January 2025, concerning Scholarship Information. Signed by the Chair of Rumah Amal UNNES, Dr. Iwan Junaedi, M.Pd., the letter specifies that the Regular Scholarship and UKT Assistance are intended for students from economically disadvantaged families, while the Tahfiz Scholarship is designated for students who have memorised the Qur’an. This distinction demonstrates that Rumah Amal UNNES operates an assistance scheme specifically targeting students facing economic hardship.
The implementation of this support was reflected in the distribution of scholarships for the second semester of the 2024/2025 academic year on 24 January 2025, amounting to IDR 1,270,450,000. The assistance covered Regular Scholarships for 380 students, Tahfiz Scholarships for 46 students, and UKT payment assistance. Through the Regular Scholarship and UKT Assistance programmes, Rumah Amal UNNES provides financial support to students from economically disadvantaged families to help alleviate the costs of education and living expenses during their studies.
A further distribution took place on 1 September 2025, when scholarships for the first semester of the 2025/2026 academic year amounting to IDR 1,469,500,000 were awarded to 516 students. Of these recipients, 476 received assistance under the Regular Scholarship and UKT Assistance categories, while 40 received Tahfiz Scholarships. The Secretary of Rumah Amal UNNES, Dr. Bambang Subali, M.Pd., explained that the scholarship programmes are implemented consistently each semester through an open selection process.
In total, Rumah Amal UNNES distributed IDR 2,739,950,000 in assistance across two disbursement periods in 2025. The distributions included financial assistance specifically intended for students from economically disadvantaged families, as well as scholarships based on religious achievement. Accordingly, Rumah Amal UNNES provides financial support through schemes tailored to different recipient needs and eligibility categories.
At the faculty level, the Faculty of Engineering (FT) UNNES awarded Jamaah Muslim (JAMUS) Scholarships to 26 students on 7 March 2025. The total assistance amounted to IDR 187,200,000, with each recipient receiving IDR 600,000 per month. Meanwhile, the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) developed the Aksara Cendekia programme, which provides IDR 500,000 in educational assistance to one student every quarter. One of the disbursements took place on 15 September 2025.
84,000 Free Meal Packages Provided to Strengthen Student Food Security Over One Year
In addition to financial assistance, UNNES developed free meal programmes through several faculties to help meet students’ food needs, including those experiencing economic hardship.
The Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) organised the Jumat Berkah programme, including a meal distribution event on 16 May 2025 at Al Iqtishodi Mosque. The Faculty of Engineering also distributed meals through its Jamaah Muslim community. On 7 March 2025, FT provided 250 meal boxes for students in need to break their fast during Ramadan. Meanwhile, the Faculty of Sports Science (FIK) implemented Jumat Berkah by providing healthy meals and establishing five pantries across its study programmes.
Food assistance was further strengthened by the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) through the FMIPA Berbagi – Food Donations for Students programme, held on 7 and 14 November 2025 at Baitul Alim Prayer Room. The programme provided free meals for students, particularly those requiring assistance to meet their food needs while participating in academic activities.
Meal packages were prepared with balanced nutritional composition in mind, incorporating carbohydrates, protein, and vegetables. The programme was supported by donations from lecturers, education personnel, students, and the FMIPA community, with funds managed by the Baitul Alim Prayer Room management team.
At the Faculty of Languages and Arts (FBS), the FBS Peduli Pangan programme was launched in early November 2025 in response to limited access to nutritious food among some students. Through activities held on Friday mornings, the faculty provided free nutritious meals, including mung bean porridge, corn pudding, and dishes made from locally sourced food products.
FBS also developed a campus food bank that accepts donations of food supplies from lecturers, education personnel, and business partners. The donations are subsequently distributed to students in need through a verification mechanism. This approach enables food assistance to be directed more effectively towards students experiencing difficulties in meeting their daily needs. Over the course of one year, UNNES distributed a total of 84,000 free meal packages to students and communities surrounding the campus.
UNNES Provides Free Accommodation
Student Housing Support
In addition to financial assistance, UNNES provides affordable student accommodation through its university-managed dormitories. University subsidies help keep rental rates accessible, reducing students’ living expenses while providing a safe and supportive residential environment for academic activities and personal development.
UNNES’s dormitory provision includes six residences:
- Kalisegoro Women’s Dormitory (Asrama Putri Kalisegoro)
- Sekaran Men’s Dormitory (Asrama Putra Sekaran)
- Ngaliyan PGSD Women’s Dormitory (Asrama Putri PGSD Ngaliyan)
- Ngaliyan PGSD Men’s Dormitory (Asrama Putra PGSD Ngaliyan)
- International Student Dormitory (Asrama Internasional)
- Patemon Women’s Dormitory (Asrama Putri Patemon)
Alongside accommodation, the dormitories offer residential programmes that support character development, independence, leadership, and academic achievement. These facilities help students access housing while participating in a supportive university community.
Faculty of Law Provides Free Accommodation for 50 Students
Access to accommodation is an important component of student welfare, as housing costs can represent a substantial financial burden, particularly for students from outside the local area.
On 4 October 2025, the Faculty of Law (FH) UNNES announced the provision of free accommodation for 50 students at Pondok Pesantren Ats Tsaqofah in Semarang. The initiative, promoted by the Dean of FH UNNES, Prof. Dr. Ali Masyhar Mursyid, S.H., M.H., aims to help students secure adequate accommodation without having to bear housing costs.
Providing accommodation at no cost can help students reduce their regular expenses and allocate their available resources to other necessities, including food, transportation, and academic supplies.
The programme represents one form of direct support for students’ basic needs in 2025, complementing the regular residential facilities available within the university. Through this initiative, students requiring accommodation assistance have an alternative housing option that can reduce their financial burden throughout their studies.
Free Campus Transportation Supports Student Mobility
UNNES also provides a free electric shuttle bus service for students and university employees to facilitate mobility between campus facilities. This shared transportation service offers students a cost-free travel option when attending academic activities at different university locations.
On 8 June 2025, UNNES enhanced access to the service through the launch of MyUNNES 3.0, which includes a Shuttle Tracking feature. The feature enables students to monitor shuttle services, making it easier to plan their journeys around campus.
The availability of free transportation constitutes a form of support that can help reduce students’ mobility-related expenses during their studies, including those facing financial constraints that limit their ability to pay for transportation.
Health Services
Public Health Services
UNNES provides accessible healthcare services for students through its Health Service Center (PUSLAKES). The facility offers medical consultations, health examinations, treatment, and health education to support students’ physical well-being.
In 2025, PUSLAKES provided health examinations for new students enrolled in the 2025/2026 academic year. The examinations included height and weight measurements, blood pressure checks, vision tests, colour blindness screening, blood type identification, and general medical assessments.
The healthcare services are available to UNNES students through PUSLAKES, providing access to basic medical examinations, consultations, and treatment
Mental Health Services and Legal Assistance Expand Student Support
In addition to financial, food, housing, and transportation support, UNNES provides services to address students’ psychological and legal needs.
In the area of mental health, UNNES has established a policy framework through Rector Regulation No. 117 of 2024 concerning the provision of mental health services. The regulated services include individual counselling, psychotherapy, emergency intervention, and mental health education.
UNNES provides free mental health counselling and psychological support for students through several university-level service units and faculties, including the Language Services, Education Training, Career Guidance, and Disability Center (LPPP), and the Faculty of Education and Psychology (FIPP), which offers professional and peer counselling services.
In 2025, institutional support was further strengthened through Rector’s Decree No. T/116/UN37/HK.02/2025 concerning the establishment of the Mental Health Services Task Force, which coordinates efforts to support students’ mental well-being.
Meanwhile, the Faculty of Law UNNES provides free, non-commercial legal consultation and assistance, including services for students. The service is governed by Dean’s Decree No. B/921/UN37.1.8/OT.01.00/2024 and operates through an application, verification, and legal-assistance assignment process.
Together, these two services broaden the scope of student welfare support by providing access to assistance without charge or at affordable rates, in accordance with the applicable service provisions.
Strengthening the Continuity of Studies for Students from Low-Income Families
The various programmes implemented throughout 2025 demonstrate UNNES’s efforts to establish a support system addressing students’ basic needs through financial and educational assistance, free meals, accommodation at no cost, campus transportation, and support services. These initiatives are implemented by Rumah Amal UNNES, faculties, service units, the academic community, and community partners.
In particular, the Rumah Amal UNNES Regular Scholarship and UKT Assistance programmes, which are specifically intended for students from economically disadvantaged families, demonstrate the availability of financial assistance schemes with clearly defined economic eligibility criteria. These programmes are complemented by food assistance for students in need, free accommodation for 50 students, and transportation and support services that can help reduce some of the financial burdens associated with higher education.
Through the provision of this basic-needs assistance, UNNES contributes to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1: No Poverty, particularly by helping students facing economic hardship maintain access to higher education and continue their studies sustainably.
