Scholarships for Students in Foundation, Matriculation and A-level Studies

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor announced several financial initiatives for students including that the Sabah State Scholarship (Biasiswa Kerajaan Negeri Sabah or BKNS) will extend scholarships to students pursuing foundation studies, matriculation studies and A-level studies. Financial allowances for scholarship recipients in public and private universities will also be standardised. "This initiative is our ongoing commitment to students in tertiary education," Hajiji said on 21 July 2025 at the Sabah Excellence Scholarship Award presentation ceremony, Sabah International Convention Centre, Kota Kinabalu.

"We will continue to give attention to our students regardless of their background. Let them study diligently and explore professional fields including oil, gas and energy, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and Artificial Intelligence.” The State Government’s allocation for students’ scholarship has increased significantly from RM50 million in 2020 to RM136 million in 2025. The Yayasan Sabah Group's financial aid for students has also increased from RM26.98 million in 2020 to RM67.17 million in 2024. The GRS-led government has launched the RM15.8 million Sabah State Education Fund benefitting 10,104 recipients in June 2022.

In addition, the government has allocated RM92.4 million for the Sabah Islamic Religious Council (MUIS) Zakat and Fitrah Division, which has benefitted 48,000 students in Sabah in the past five years. Sabah has intensified efforts to diversify education aid initiatives in the state, with an allocation RM77.5 million in 2025 to fund 14 educational assistance initiatives, including a One-Off IPT Registration Cash Aid (BUDI); Computer Assistance Initiative (BAIK); Sabah Student Flight Ticket Assistance (GRS-SUBFLY); and SENTOSA – financial aid for students in local higher learning institutes. Hajiji said that the Sabah Maju Jaya agenda and the national Madani vision is motivate students to seek and pursue excellence in education and knowledge. "Recipients of the excellent scholarship award carry a great responsibility to be exemplary role models to their peers, and bring pride and honour to Sabah and Malaysia," he said.