Finding Hope Amid Adversity: The Story of a KIP-K Scholarship Recipient

Financial constraints are no barrier to pursuing higher education. This is also the case for Larastya Sasikirana Putri, a student in the Nutrition Program at Universitas ‘Aisyiyah (Unisa) Yogyakarta and a recipient of the KIP scholarship.

“Before I started college, my family’s financial situation was barely enough to cover daily necessities and my school fees, as well as my younger sibling’s,” Larastya shared on Tuesday (November 4, 2025).

The young woman from the Bangka Belitung Islands admitted that her family’s limited financial resources forced her to prioritize basic needs first. Her parents’ income was only enough to cover daily expenses.

“In my family, only my father works, while my mother is a housewife. Because of this, the costs for my college education couldn’t be covered, and I went through a difficult period during the college admissions process,” revealed Larastya.

Her financial situation made Larastya consider postponing college. However, her determination to continue her education opened up new possibilities. She applied for the Kartu Indonesia Pintar-Kuliah (KIP-K) scholarship. “I applied for the KIP-K scholarship because I need to go to college, but I want to do so without burdening my parents financially,” she said.

Fortunately, Larastya also received support from her parents to continue her studies. Both of her parents want to see her earn a bachelor’s degree someday. It wasn’t just her parents; the supportive environment provided by her siblings also encouraged Larastya to apply for the KIPK scholarship at Unisa Yogyakarta.

“I chose Unisa Yogyakarta as the place to pursue my studies, of course, because the campus has already been accredited as ‘Excellent.’ It offers academic programs, particularly in the Faculty of Health Sciences (FIKes), where most programs are also top-tier, along with state-of-the-art facilities that foster positive relationships, both nationally and internationally,” said Larastya.

The Journey to Securing the Scholarship and Her Hopes for the Future

Larastya’s path opened up when she learned about the KIP scholarship at Unisa Yogyakarta. She first discovered it on social media and then researched it further. She went through various stages of the selection process.

“After going through a series of selection processes and waiting a few weeks, the time came for the scholarship announcement. It was the decisive moment determining whether I could attend college this year or not. The selection process at Unisa Yogyakarta was transparent, and I feel the recipients were chosen appropriately. Like me, because I really needed this scholarship,” she explained.

The scholarship brought about a major change in her life. She felt more at ease, as her tuition fees and basic educational needs were covered by the KIP scholarship. “This has allowed me to focus on my academics and foster a greater sense of responsibility by performing to the best of my ability at Unisa Yogyakarta,” said Larastya.

Being a scholarship recipient has made Larastya more diligent in her studies and in honing other skills. She tries to participate in competitions, seminars, or anything else that supports her obligations as a scholarship recipient. “I also plan to join student clubs (UKM) and the Student Association,” she said.

Larastya feels a sense of responsibility for what she has received. She aims to achieve academic excellence, maintain her involvement in student organizations, and strive for various other accomplishments. She also encourages other scholarship recipients to be grateful for the opportunity they’ve been given.

She also encourages them to use the scholarship to truly support their education. She also wants to contribute to bringing honor to Unisa Yogyakarta. “The public should also have no doubts about this Unisa KIP scholarship, because Unisa Yogyakarta provides scholarship facilities tailored to our needs, and this scholarship also contributes to equitable access to higher education,” said Larastya.

Although she still has a long way to go before graduation, this student—who is currently in her first semester—has high hopes for her future after graduation, whether in terms of her career, further education, or financial stability.

“Regarding my career, I really hope to secure a position that aligns with my passion as a nutritionist and to share the knowledge I’ve gained during my studies in the Nutrition Program with the community. For my future education, I hope to pursue a master’s degree while also securing a scholarship. Financially, I hope to have greater financial stability so I can provide for what my parents, younger sibling, and I need,” concluded Larastya.