Arus Anak Muda, an NGO focusing on education and political literacy, said not all undergraduates at private universities and colleges are well off.

Its spokesman, Ahmad Ashraff Fahmy Zulhery Fahmy, said some of these students, especially the non-Bumiputeras, were unable to secure entry into public universities.

“It would be better to offer scholarships to these students, especially those from the lower income group,” he said.

Ashraff also said the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans were not always sufficient to cover tuition fees in some universities, much less the cost of living.

This is why he hopes Putrajaya will consider a one-off financial aid of between RM100 and RM200 per semester for these students.

“It would also be good if they can be given book vouchers or discounts for gadgets,” he said.

He welcomed the eBelia initiative, which offers RM200 in e-wallet credit to those aged 18 to 20, but said it should be expanded to all university students regardless of their age.

The Muslim Students’ Association of Selangor Darul Ehsan said Putrajaya should improve the internet connectivity in campuses nationwide, especially outside the Klang Valley.

Its president, Zakir Abdul Razak, said that better internet connectivity would also help bring down the cost of living.

“Students will be able to reduce their monthly expenses for mobile internet plans,” he said.

In January, New Straits Times reported that students at higher institutions of learning had to put up with poor internet access on campus, and had to spend more for internet access elsewhere or pay for additional services.