How to Do university or Program Transfers for LPDP Awardees: A Comprehensive Guide and Student's Experience

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The Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP), or Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education, manages prestigious scholarships for Indonesian students. A key feature of this scholarship is the possibility of transferring university or study program. This article discusses the general LPDP policies regarding university transfer and provides insights based on the experiences of students who have successfully navigated this process.

General LPDP Policy on University or Program Transfers

Based on the General Guidelines for Scholarship Candidates, Awardees, and Alumni, LPDP has policies in place that allow awardees to transfer universities under certain conditions. Here are the general provisions for transfers:

Permitted Types of Transfers:

  • University Transfer:
    • From a domestic university to another domestic university.
    • From a domestic university to foreign university specifically for LPDP awardee of Papuan Youth and Affirmation Regions.
    • From a foreign university to a domestic university.
    • From a foreign university to another foreign university.
  • Study Program Transfer:
    • From a study program at a domestic university to another study program at a domestic university.
    • From a study program at domestic university to a study program at foreign university specifically for LPDP awardee of Papuan Youth and Affirmation Regions.
    • From a study program at a foreign university to a domestic study program.
    • From a study program at a foreign university to another study program at a foreign university.

Transfer Requirements:

  • The awardee has not been approved as a participant in the Persiapan Keberangkatan (PK) program.
  • The awardee must submit an official request for changes to LPDP: Awardee without an Unconditional LoA when registering for a scholarship, may submit changes to a university or study program outside the 3 initial choices registered. While awardee with an Unconditional LoA when registering for a scholarship, may submit changes to a university and study program outside the initial choices (not limited to 3 choices).
  • The awardee is only given 1 (one) opportunity to submit a change.
  • The new study program must be the same as the field of study chosen when registering for the scholarship, or another field of study approved by LPDP
  • The submission of changes must be made no later than 3 months after being declared to have passed the LPDP Scholarship substance selection.
  • Scholarship recipients must have a valid reason for the transfer.

Permissible Conditions for Transfers:

  • Visa issues due to health factors, force majeure, or visa issuer policies.
  • Health issues (physical/mental) requiring a transfer.
  • Force majeure circumstances necessitating a transfer.
  • Problems with the research/thesis/dissertation supervisor (unwilling to supervise, retirement, resignation, death, contract expiration, or proven violation of ethics).
  • The LPDP awardee must follow a research/thesis/dissertation supervisor who moves to another university.
  • Academic obstacles due to changes in university policies.
  • Other reasons approved by LPDP.

Required Documents:

  • Formal transfer request letter.
  • Unconditional Letter of Acceptance (LoA) from the new destination university.
  • Academic transcript from the current university.
  • Recommendation letter (if required).
  • Other supporting documents as requested by LPDP.

Transfer Application Procedure:

  1. Submit an application through the LPDP portal or directly to the LPDP contact handling scholarships, attaching:
    • Unconditional Letter of Acceptance (LoA) from the new destination university and/or study program.
    • Other relevant supporting documents.
    • These documents must be submitted through the LPDP application.
  2. Await LPDP's decision (this process may take several weeks).
  3. If approved, LPDP will adjust the scholarship contract accordingly to reflect the new university and program.
  4. Approval of the transfer application will be granted by the Director in charge of scholarships. The President Director of LPDP has the authority to approve requests for changes or transfers beyond those stipulated in the requirements.

Transfers Not Approved by LPDP, If:

  • From a domestic university to a foreign university.
  • From a Master's program to a specialist/subspecialist medical program or vice versa.
  • From a Master's program to a Doctoral program or vice versa.
  • From a Doctoral program to a specialist/subspecialist medical program or vice versa.
  • From a single degree to a double/joint degree program.
  • Changes in funding scheme from Partial/Semi-Independent to Full Funding.

Funding and Study Duration Provisions:

  • For changes before the start of studies: follows LPDP standard costs and study duration.
  • For transfers during ongoing studies:
    • Funding is a continuation of previous funding, adjusted to LPDP standard costs.
    • The duration of study is a continuation of the previous duration.
  • Update the Letter of Guarantee and LPDP Decree.

Fauzi's Experience: Transferring from the University of Canterbury to Monash University, Indonesia

akhmad-fauzi-urulhamzah-monash-indonesia-student-lpdp-awardee-1Akhmad Fauzi Nurulhamzah sharing his experience regarding university transfer with LPDP Scholarship

To provide a real-world example of the transfer process, here is the experience of Akhmad Fauzi Nurulhamzah, or Fauzi as he is commonly known, an LPDP PK-235 awardee who successfully transferred from the University of Canterbury to Monash University, Indonesia.

Background to the Transfer

Fauzi initially chose the University of Canterbury for his Master of Forestry Science program due to its good reputation. However, he faced a significant challenge, "When I discussed it with my supervisor, he stated that it would be difficult for me (to attend lectures) because some classes were held outdoors, and the campus was not very accessible for wheelchair users." This challenge prompted Fauzi to seek a university that was more supportive of his needs.

Find a New University

Fauzi researched campuses in Indonesia that were more accessible, especially for wheelchair users like him. He eventually discovered Monash University, Indonesia and decided to visit the campus during an Open Day. “After seeing the facilities and how well they support students with disabilities, I knew Monash University, Indonesia was the right choice for me. It's not just about academics; it's about finding a place where I can truly thrive and feel supported.”

Transfer Steps:

Fauzi followed a structured process for the transfer with LPDP's support:

  1. Ensuring Program and University Eligibility

    Fauzi ensured that his target program and university were registered as LPDP partners. For additional information, Monash University, Indonesia has become an LPDP partner university and is categorized as a Domestic University (Perguruan Tinggi Dalam Negeri). So, for those of you who want to study at Monash University, Indonesia with an LPDP scholarship, make sure you choose the domestic scholarship type (beasiswa dalam negeri) and include Monash University, Indonesia as your first choice of university destinantion.

  2. Communication with LPDP

    Fauzi contacted LPDP to inform them of his intention to transfer, explain his reasons, and submit supporting documents.

  3. Obtaining a Letter of Acceptance

    Fauzi solidified his decision to apply to Monash University, Indonesia for the Master of Data Science program and ensured he met all admission requirements. He eventually obtained an Unconditional LoA from the admissions team.

  4. Submitting a Transfer Application to LPDP

    After that, he prepared and submitted all the required documents through the LPDP portal.

  5. Waiting for LPDP Approval

    This process took several weeks as it had to be reviewed by the Director General of LPDP for student affairs. After waiting patiently, his application to transfer campuses through the LPDP scholarship was finally approved.

Fauzi's Testimony About Monash University, Indonesia

akhmad-fauzi-urulhamzah-monash-indonesia-student-lpdp-awardee-2Fauzi studying in the classroom with his classmates

Fauzi's transfer to Monash University, Indonesia proved to be very positive. "Studying at Monash Indonesia has been a life-changing experience. The campus is very inclusive, and the facilities are truly accessible to all students, including me as a wheelchair user," said Fauzi.

Fauzi also praised the support provided by the staff at Monash University, Indonesia. "Both the lecturers and professional staff here are very supportive, both academically and personally. I feel that Monash University, Indonesia understands that every student has unique needs. They are always ready to help, whether through counseling services, student communities, or academic guidance," added Fauzi.

Tips for LPDP Awardees Considering a Transfer

Based on Fauzi's experience and LPDP policies, here are some tips for LPDP awardees considering a transfer:

  • Provide a Valid Reason: Having a strong and valid reason for the transfer is crucial for obtaining LPDP approval.
  • Thorough Research: Conduct in-depth research about the destination university, ensuring it meets your needs and is registered as an LPDP partner.
  • Proactive Communication: Maintain good communication with LPDP throughout the process. Inform them of your intention early on and remain transparent.
  • Prepare Documents Well: Prepare all required documents carefully and completely to facilitate the process.
  • Consider Academic Impact: Make sure the transfer will not hinder your academic progress. Discuss the possibility of credit transfers with the destination university.
  • Evaluate Facilities and Support: As Fauzi did, consider the facilities and support offered by the university, especially if you have specific needs.
  • Stay Focused on Your Goal: Remember that your main goal is to complete your studies and contribute to Indonesia's development.

Transferring universities for LPDP awardees is a possible process, but it requires careful preparation and consideration. Akhmad Fauzi Nurulhamzah's experience shows that with a valid reason and good preparation, a transfer can be a positive step in the academic journey. LPDP provides this flexibility to ensure that LPDP awardees can maximize their potential and make the best contribution to Indonesia.

Monash University, Indonesia Opens Opportunities for LPDP Awardees to Transfer University

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Monash University, Indonesia opens opportunities for LPDP scholarship awardees who want to transfer from overseas campuses to domestic campuses, offering global-standard education without having to be far from their families. As an international campus in Indonesia, Monash ensures that the quality of the curriculum is equivalent to its overseas branches, equipped with modern facilities and full support for students with special needs.

Meanwhile, for prospective domestic LPDP awardees, ensure that Monash University, Indonesia is the first choice in your LPDP application in order to meet the campus transfer requirements according to LPDP regulations. By choosing Monash University, Indonesia, students not only gain access to a global academic network, but also remain close to their family. Read these articles to learn about tips and tricks to get LPDP Scholarship and how to pass scholastic test.