KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 4): Following the government's announcement that National Higher Education Fund Corp (PTPTN) borrowers affected by Covid-19 can defer the repayment of their loans for another three months, PTPTN said today eligible borrowers can apply for this extension from tomorrow (Jan 5).

Eligible borrowers are those who have experienced loss or reduced income due to the pandemic's effect, it said in a statement.

"Borrowers need to submit the application via PTPTN's official portal at www.ptptn.gov.my/PelanjutanBayaranBalikCovid19 starting Jan 5, 2021, till March 31, 2021. No supporting document is needed during the application," it said.

The three-month extension of the loan deferment will begin in the same month the individual's application is approved by PTPTN, and that borrowers will be notified of the approval via email within three working days of their application submission.

"Borrowers are reminded to update their contact information to ensure that information regarding the approval of extension applications can be conveyed to them," PTPTN added.

On Jan 1, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said the decision of the extension was made because the government was concerned and realised that there were PTPTN borrowers who were still affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and would not be able to repay their loans.

Prior to that, the government had announced a deferment of loan repayments for all PTPTN borrowers due to the Covid-19 pandemic, effective March 19, 2020 to Dec 31, 2020.

For more inquiries, contact PTPTN's careline at 03-2193 3000, or go to PTPTN's website at http://www.ptptn.gov.my/.