MIS Benefits: Tuition, RM 1,500 a Month and the Costs You Still Carry
The MIS 2026 guidelines list just two benefits: your tuition fees and a monthly living allowance. Here is how each is paid, the conditions attached, and the costs the guidelines do not mention.
ScholarshipUnion Editorial
3 min read
Updated Oct 6, 2026
The two published benefits
From “Benefits of MIS” in the 2026 guidelines:
Paid for the entire sponsorship period, directly to the university, once the university sends MOHE an invoice. You do not handle this money.
RM 1,500 a month, paid every four months once you send MOHE your progress report.
The allowance in numbers
| Period | Amount |
|---|---|
| One month | RM 1,500 |
| One payment (four months) | RM 6,000 |
| One year (12 months) | RM 18,000 |
Because the money comes in four-month lumps, you need to budget. The first payment depends on your first progress report, so bring enough savings to cover your first few months, as well as your arrival costs. The guidelines do not say when the first payment is made.
The 2025 guidelines said the allowance was paid “every semester” on submission of the progress report. The 2026 edition says “every four (4) months”. Expect wording like this to change again in 2027/2028, and check the new PDF.
Costs the guidelines do not list
MIS 2026 mentions only tuition and the allowance. It does not list any of the items below, so plan to pay for them yourself unless MOHE tells you otherwise:
- Flights to Malaysia and home again. MTCP includes a return economy ticket. MIS does not mention one.
- Medical insurance. Every international student must have locally bought medical insurance. EMGS’s 2026 package table lists annual premiums from about RM 498 to RM 644, depending on the insurer and plan.
- Student pass and medical screening. The guidelines say it is your responsibility to apply for and meet the entry visa requirements, including a medical examination. EMGS requires new students to attend a medical screening at a panel clinic within 7 working days of arrival.
- Personal bond deposit. EMGS explains that institutions sign a personal bond with Immigration on your behalf and may ask you to lodge the amount. It is refundable when you finish or withdraw (EMGS).
- University application fees, and any thesis, family or housing costs.
Compare RM 1,500 with your university’s own cost-of-living estimate before you accept. Whether it is enough depends on your city and housing, and it is a single allowance. The guidelines mention no family support.
Conditions that come with the money
The “Terms and conditions” section of the guidelines sets out eight rules. These are the ones that affect your money:
- Full-time enrolment in a postgraduate programme.
- No change of programme during the award without written permission from both the university and MOHE.
- Suspension from the university suspends the scholarship immediately, and no allowance is paid during the suspension.
- You must keep up satisfactory academic progress and good standing, as your university defines it. If you do not, the scholarship is withdrawn.
- The award can be used only at Malaysian institutions, and research must be carried out in Malaysia.
- No paid employment during the award without written approval from the host university.
How long it lasts
The guidelines say tuition is covered for “the entire sponsorship period” but do not say how long that period is for each level. Your offer letter will set it. Do not assume the award covers extensions beyond your programme’s normal length. For comparison, CSFP awards on the same portal run 12–24 months for a Master’s and 3 years for a PhD. MTCP Master’s awards run 24 months for coursework and 36 months for mixed-mode or research.
Holding another award
The MIS guidelines do not mention combining MIS with other funding. The MTCP FAQ says you may apply for both MTCP and MIS, but that MTCP scholars may not have more than one sponsor. If you are offered both, expect to choose one. Tell MOHE about any other funding you hold.
Sources: MIS 2026 guidelines; EMGS student visa guidelines; MTCP Scholarship FAQ 2026/2027.