The Public Service Department (JPA) has opened applications for the second phase of its Academic Merit-Based Convertible Loan (PBU Akademik), extending the scheme to more than 59,000 former JPA-sponsored students.
Applications are open from July 1 to Aug 31, 2026, for eligible scholars who completed their studies on or before Dec 31, 2024.
Introduced on June 1, 2025, the PBU Akademik model determines loan repayment rates based on students’ academic performance, replacing the previous system that linked repayments to their place of service.
To date, more than 11,000 new students have received sponsorships under the model, while over 23,000 existing borrowers under the 2016 Place of Service-Based Convertible Loan (PBU 2016) opted into the first phase of the conversion exercise held between January and March this year.
JPA said the second phase broadens access to eligible former scholars who remain within their service bond period and have no outstanding loan repayments or excess allowance (ETB) balances. Those with arrears may apply once all outstanding amounts have been settled.
The option is not available to scholars whose sponsorships were terminated for breaching the PBU 2016 agreement, those who have fully repaid their loans or completed their service bond, or those who failed to complete their sponsorship package up to bachelor’s degree level.
Eligible applicants must update their contact details via the MySELF portal before submitting their applications. Successful applicants are required to sign the agreement electronically through the ePROMISE system and pay stamp duty via the Inland Revenue Board’s MyTAX platform within 30 days.
JPA said repayments made under the PBU 2016 scheme before opting into the new model will not be refunded and encouraged eligible former scholars to check their eligibility and submit their applications through the MySELF portal before the Aug 31 deadline.
