Loans for ACCA

ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is one of the most recognized accounting qualifications globally. For students in Malaysia, this qualification offers career opportunities in audit, finance, and management that are competitive. However, the cost of pursuing the ACCA program can be burdensome, especially in the challenging economic climate of 2026. For instance, the annual registration fee for ACCA in 2026 is around RM764. Meanwhile, the examination fee for the Applied Skills module is approximately RM846. When converted to Malaysian Ringgit, the total cost of the program (including classes, books, and exam fees) can reach tens of thousands of Ringgit. This is why students and their families need to consider student loans or specialized financing options.

Loans for ACCA provide financial assistance to cover tuition fees, living costs, and exam fees. In addition to traditional banking institutions, several specialized organizations offer financing for ACCA students. For example, MAA Credit Berhad offers educational loans specifically for the ACCA program with a repayment period of up to 11 years. Meanwhile, Yayasan Peneraju provides a scholarship-based financing scheme for Bumiputera students with zero interest and a flexible repayment period of up to 18 years. PTPTN offers educational loans at a flat interest rate of 1% (ujrah) with a repayment period of up to 20 years.

Institutions Offering Loans for ACCA

Several organizations in Malaysia provide specific loans for ACCA students, each with different terms, interest rates, and packages. The three main players are MAA Credit Berhad, Yayasan Peneraju, and PTPTN. MAA Credit Berhad provides educational loans specifically designed for full-time ACCA students with financing of up to RM35,000. Yayasan Peneraju, a Bumiputera foundation, offers financing for ACCA students through various packages (Silver, Gold, and Platinum) with zero interest and a long repayment period. PTPTN, a national education fund, offers loans to students of higher learning institutions, including ACCA students, at a flat interest rate of 1%.

In addition to these three organizations, several private institutions also offer personal or micro loans. Amanahkredit is an example of a micro-lending provider that offers instant online loans of RM500 with no complicated documentation. Although not specifically for students, this microloan product can help cover short-term costs such as buying books or paying ACCA exam fees.

MAA Credit Berhad: Terms and Financing

MAA Credit Berhad is one of the key institutions providing specialized financing for ACCA students through 100% educational loans. This loan is intended to cover tuition fees at Imperium International College and other related expenses. The main features of the loan include:

• Financing Amount: Up to RM35,000.
• Interest Rate: No interest during the first four years of study; after that, a fixed interest rate of 4% per year.
• Repayment Period: The loan has a total period of 11 years, including a four-year grace period during study and seven years of repayment with 84 monthly installments.
• Collateral Requirements: No collateral is required, but applicants must provide two guarantors (family and non-family) and meet the guarantors' income requirements.
• Other Fees: Applicants must pay a stamp fee of RM185 and a confirmation fee of RM10.
• Eligibility: This loan is only available to full-time students who have enrolled at Imperium International College and ACCA, maintaining a GPA of at least 2.5 for each semester.

The main advantage of MAA’s loan is the long zero-interest period and the easy application requirements (automatic approval as long as the student meets ACCA entry requirements). However, applicants must provide guarantors, and the loan only covers tuition fees, not registration or examination fees. Therefore, students should plan for other costs like ACCA fees that must be paid separately.

Yayasan Peneraju: Financing for Bumiputera Students

Yayasan Peneraju Pendidikan Bumiputera is a government initiative providing specific financing for Bumiputera students who wish to pursue professional studies, including ACCA. This financing scheme has several unique features:

• 0% Interest: The Peneraju financing scheme offers a zero interest rate, making it a highly attractive option compared to traditional bank loans.
• Flexible Repayment: Applicants can enjoy a repayment period of up to 18 years, giving them time to build their careers before fully repaying the loan.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Financing covers tuition fees, professional fees (including registration, exam, and membership fees), as well as living allowances and accommodation.
• Conditional Scholarship: If the student passes all exams without failure ("straight pass"), the loan can be converted into a full scholarship. This provides additional motivation for students to maintain excellent performance.
• Tiered Packages: Yayasan Peneraju offers Silver (up to RM15,000), Gold (up to RM30,000), and Platinum (up to RM150,000) packages. Applicants must select a package based on their study level and financial capability.
• Eligibility: This scheme is specifically for Bumiputera citizens aged 16 and above with an offer of admission to an accredited institution. Applicants must also not have received other Peneraju financing, and alumni must have repaid at least 50% of previous loans before applying for a new package.

Yayasan Peneraju is ideal for Bumiputera students who want to fully cover their ACCA costs without the burden of interest. However, the eligibility requirements are quite strict, and applicants must adhere to the repayment schedule based on the chosen package. Additionally, this scheme is not open to non-Bumiputera students.

Eligibility and Requirements for ACCA Loans

Each loan provider has its own eligibility criteria and requirements. In general, applicants must:

• Be a Malaysian citizen: All Malaysian student loans require applicants to be citizens. For PTPTN, applicants must be under 45 years old and have opened an SSPN account.
• Be a full-time student or enrolled in an accredited program: MAA Credit Berhad requires applicants to be full-time students at Imperium International College in the ACCA program, while PTPTN requires enrollment at a recognized local higher education institution.
• Have a clean credit record: PTPTN may reject applications if the applicant has a bad credit record, and borrowers who fail to repay may be blacklisted in CCRIS. Therefore, it's important to keep other debts up to date.
• Provide guarantors or collateral: The MAA loan requires two guarantors with a stable income, while Yayasan Peneraju does not require collateral but has specific conditions for Bumiputera students.

Eligibility Criteria for Bumiputera and Non-Bumiputera Students

• Bumiputera: For Bumiputera students, Yayasan Peneraju is the best option as it offers full financing without interest, living allowances, and the opportunity to convert the loan into a full scholarship if the student achieves a "straight pass." Bumiputera applicants can also apply for PTPTN or MAA loans if they need additional funds.
• Non-Bumiputera: Non-Bumiputera students are not eligible to apply for the Peneraju scheme; therefore, the main options are PTPTN and MAA loans. PTPTN offers a 1% interest rate and a repayment period of up to 20 years, while MAA is suitable for those who need specific financing with a long grace period but can provide guarantors.

Interest Rates and Repayment Schedules

Interest rates and repayment schedules vary between institutions. The summary table below outlines the main comparisons:

This table shows that MAA loans offer low-interest rates with a long grace period but require guarantors. Yayasan Peneraju provides interest-free financing with additional benefits such as living allowances. PTPTN maintains a low 1% interest rate with a longer repayment schedule and potential exemptions for outstanding graduates.

Advantages and Disadvantages of ACCA Loans

Advantages:

• Opens opportunities for students: Educational loans allow more students to pursue the ACCA program without having to wait until they save the funds. This is important given the increasing ACCA fees each year.
• Low-interest rates: PTPTN offers a 1% interest rate, while MAA provides zero interest during the study period. Yayasan Peneraju operates without interest.
• Flexible repayment periods: MAA provides 11 years, and Peneraju offers up to 18 years, allowing borrowers to adjust payments based on their income capacity.
• Performance incentives: PTPTN applicants who obtain a First-Class Degree can receive payment exemptions, while Peneraju loans can be converted to full scholarships if the student passes all exams without failure.

Disadvantages:

• Strict requirements and guarantors: MAA loans require two guarantors and only cover tuition fees, while Peneraju is limited to Bumiputera. This restricts access for some students.
• Risk of sanctions: PTPTN will blacklist borrowers who fail to repay and may impose travel restrictions starting in 2026.
• Long-term commitment: The long repayment period (up to 20 years for PTPTN) means borrowers may carry debt for an extended period.
• Hidden costs: Microloans like the RM500 Instant Loan offer immediate convenience, but some providers may charge high-interest rates or hidden fees. Users should be cautious and read the terms carefully.

How to Apply and Required Documents

The loan application process for ACCA varies by institution, but the general guidelines are as follows:

• MAA Credit Berhad:

• • 1. Register at Imperium International College (IIC) and ACCA. This loan is only available for full-time students at IIC.
    2. Complete the loan application form on the MAA website and pay the stamp fee of RM185 and confirmation fee of RM10.
    3. Prepare necessary documents such as a copy of your ID card, IIC offer letter, academic transcripts, and two guarantor letters (one family member and one non-family member).
    4. Submit the application and wait for approval. The loan is automatically approved as long as the student meets ACCA entry requirements.
• Yayasan Peneraju:
  • 1. Visit the Peneraju application portal and select the appropriate package (Silver, Gold, or Platinum).
    2. Complete the personal and academic information, including a copy of MyKad, bank account, offer letter from the approved learning institution, and proof of not receiving other Peneraju financing.
    3. Submit the application and wait for evaluation. Successful applicants will be briefed on the contract and repayment schedule.

• PTPTN:

• 1. Open an SSPN account and make an initial deposit.
  2. Complete the online application form through the PTPTN portal with personal details, course details, and institution information.
  3. Prepare supporting documents such as a copy of MyKad, institution offer letter, academic transcripts, and a copy of the SSPN receipt.
  4. Submit the application and wait for approval. The first payment is usually transferred directly to the educational institution. Repayment begins 12 months after graduation.