The Social Security Organisation Education (SOCSO) Fund

The Social Security Organization (SOCSO) provides social security protection by social insurance including medical and cash benefits, provision of artificial aids and rehabilitation to employees to reduce the sufferings and to provide financial guarantees and protection to the family. It is commonly known in the Malay term as PERKESO or Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial.

One of the benefits, which SOCSO provides for Malaysians is the education benefit, which comes in the form of a loan disbursed out to dependent children who are recipients of a monthly benefit for Dependent's Benefit, Survivor's Pension, children of an employee who are recipients of a monthly benefit of Permanent Disablement and Invalidity Pension.

Although this benefit is in the form of a loan, it can, however, be converted into a scholarship if the child obtains excellent result.

This fund is for the benefits of SOCSO members / contributors in the form of loan given to dependent children who are in receipt of a monthly benefit for:

• Dependent's Benefit
• Survivor's Pension or children of an employee who are in receipt of a monthly benefit for Permanent Disablement or Invalidity Pension

Applicants must be dependent children of an employee who are contributors to the SOCSO insurance schemes, receiving Invalidity Pension, receiving periodic, or permanent disablement. Applicants can also be children of contributors who died while in employment because of injuries, or died before reaching their 55th year. The applicants must be below 21 years of age, unmarried at the time of application and pursuing degree, diploma or certificate courses recognised by the Education Ministry. This loan is given to deserving students who have done well in their examinations and are admitted to institutes of higher learning.

The following persons are not eligible for the loan: siblings of the insured, matriculation/foundation/scholar students.

SOCSO is offering educational loans, amounting to as much as RM100,000, to children of members who are in receipt of monthly invalidity pensions.

The borrower is required to repay the loan via monthly instalments once the person has completed the study programme.

Application has to be made by completing the "Permohonan Pinjaman Pendidikan PERKESO" form available at the local SOCSO office. You can also visit www.perkeso.gov.my for more information.