1.3.4 Bottom financial quintile student support
Forbisa UNISSULA
Universitas Islam Sultan Agung (UNISSULA) is strongly committed not only to providing access to higher education for students from low-income and economically disadvantaged families, but also to ensuring that scholarship recipients are supported throughout their studies and are able to complete their education successfully.
One of the initiatives that demonstrates this commitment is FORBISA UNISSULA (https://www.instagram.com/forbisa_unissula/), a student community that brings together scholarship recipients, including students supported through KIP Kuliah and related financial assistance schemes. The community serves as a forum for communication, peer support, information sharing, motivation, and mutual assistance among students who face similar academic and socioeconomic challenges.
Through FORBISA UNISSULA, students can strengthen their social support network, exchange information related to scholarships and university activities, share experiences, and support one another throughout their academic journey. This peer-based support is particularly important for students from low-income families, as financial difficulties may also be accompanied by academic, social, and psychological pressures that can affect study continuity.
The community complements the institutional support provided by UNISSULA through scholarships, academic advising, monitoring, and dedicated communication channels for scholarship recipients. Together, these mechanisms help ensure that students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds remain connected to both the university and their peers, receive relevant information, and have access to a supportive environment during their studies.
By facilitating a dedicated student community such as FORBISA UNISSULA, the university demonstrates that its commitment to low-income students extends beyond admission and financial aid. UNISSULA also promotes peer mentoring, social inclusion, motivation, and student engagement as important elements in supporting retention, academic progress, and successful completion of higher education.
Student Affairs and Counseling Support
Universitas Islam Sultan Agung (UNISSULA) provides structured student affairs, guidance, and counseling services to support students throughout their academic journey. These services are designed to help students manage academic, personal, organizational, and non-academic challenges that may affect their study progress and overall well-being.
At the faculty level, students receive guidance in participating in student organizations and various campus activities. Faculties also coordinate and support student participation in activities outside UNISSULA, including competitions and academic or non-academic events at the regional, national, and international levels. This support enables students to develop their academic abilities, leadership skills, social competencies, and extracurricular achievements alongside their formal studies.
UNISSULA also provides guidance and counseling services for students experiencing personal or academic difficulties that may interfere with the learning process. Students can access consultation services directly, including through an accessible WhatsApp-based counseling channel, allowing them to seek assistance more easily when needed.
In addition, students’ academic and non-academic development is monitored regularly every semester. This monitoring allows faculties and academic advisors to identify students who may require additional support and to provide appropriate guidance before problems significantly affect their academic progress.
The university also establishes a clear student guidance and counseling service procedure, ensuring that consultation, referral, mentoring, and follow-up activities are delivered in a structured manner. Through this system, students are supported not only in resolving immediate problems but also in maintaining academic progress and successfully completing their studies.
For students from low-income and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, these services provide an important form of non-financial support. Academic, personal, and psychological difficulties can compound financial challenges and increase the risk of delayed study completion or withdrawal. By providing accessible counseling, academic monitoring, mentoring, and student development support, UNISSULA helps create a more inclusive learning environment in which students from different socioeconomic backgrounds can remain engaged and progress toward graduation.
This comprehensive student support mechanism reflects UNISSULA’s commitment to ensuring that access to higher education is accompanied by continued assistance throughout the study period, contributing to student retention, academic success, and successful completion of higher education.