Bali Allocates IDR 27 Billion Annually for Free College for 1,450 Students

Bali education system


Bali Governor I Wayan Koster has officially launched the One Family One Graduate program, aimed at supporting underprivileged families in sending a family member to university.

This initiative is a strategic move by the provincial government to improve the quality of Bali’s human resources through higher education.

A total of 1,450 students from low-income families across Bali will receive full scholarships from the Bali Provincial Government.

The assistance covers all tuition fees for eight semesters at both public and private universities, as well as living expenses and accommodation.

Students living and studying in Denpasar and Badung will receive a monthly living allowance of IDR 1.4 million.

Those in Buleleng and Karangasem will receive Rp 1.2 million per month. Additionally, tuition fees will be covered at Rp 1 million per semester per student, with exemptions from registration fees, entry fees, and development fees.

According to Kompas.com, “This program is intended for low-income families who have not yet had a graduate, so that we can produce top-quality human resources from the grassroots level,” said Koster during the program’s launch at Jaya Sabha on Tuesday (July 29, 2025).

Including Living Expenses

One Family One Graduate is the result of collaboration between the Bali Provincial Government and 28 universities in Bali, comprising 8 public universities and 20 private ones.

The initial phase of the program will run from August to December 2025, with a budget of IDR 9.7 billion allocated from the 2025 provincial budget.

For 2026, the provincial government plans to allocate up to Rp 27 billion to fully implement the program for a full academic year.

Koster emphasized that the aid is strictly for students from truly impoverished families who have no family members with a university degree.

According to Radarbuleleng, “Next year, we will involve all regencies and cities. They will be asked to co-fund the program according to their fiscal capabilities. So far, only Gianyar has joined,” he explained.

“Students are not charged a single rupiah by the universities. Everything is free, including boarding and monthly living expenses,” Koster asserted.

Through this program, the Bali Provincial Government hopes that each family will eventually have at least one graduate, bringing social and economic transformation to their families and communities.

Sources: Kompas.com, RadarBuleleng
Feat Image: via Pexels/Pixabay

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