The Indonesian Aid Scholarship, usually called TIAS, is a Government of Indonesia scholarship for international students who want a Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral degree at a selected Indonesian state university. It is fully funded, and it runs through Indonesian Embassies rather than an open public portal. That last point shapes everything about how you apply, so it is the first thing a Pakistani student should understand. You can see the full scholarship details on our listing as well.
Who does this suit? Students who want a low-cost Muslim-majority country, are comfortable with a smaller, less publicised scheme, and are organised enough to get attestation and a government hospital medical done on a tight clock. If you only want an English-taught degree and are not willing to check the teaching language program by program, TIAS will frustrate you.
TIAS 2026 in one table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding | Fully funded, benefits as per the Indonesian Government Aid Scholarship scheme |
| Levels | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD |
| Fields | All fields at eligible Indonesian universities |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Provider | Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (Indonesian Government) |
| Typically opens | March |
| Document deadline (2026 cycle) | April 10, 2026 |
| Official links | TIAS application form and TIAS / ISP program website |
Why the embassy recommendation comes before everything else
Most government scholarships let you create an account on a central portal and apply directly. TIAS does not. The process has two stages. First you register with the Indonesian Embassy in your home country and submit your documents for review. Only if the Embassy is satisfied do you get a recommendation and access to the formal application. Your file reaches the Indonesian Ministry only after this pre-screening.
In practice this means the Embassy is your real gatekeeper. The upside is that you find out early whether you qualify, instead of spending weeks on a full application that gets rejected on a technicality. The downside is that the requirements, forms and deadlines can vary by home country. For Pakistani applicants, the checklist and attestation rules described below are the Pakistan version, and you should still confirm the current list with the Embassy of Indonesia in Islamabad before you upload anything.
What "fully funded" means here, and what is still vague
TIAS is listed as fully funded, and its benefits follow the Indonesian Government Aid Scholarship scheme, covering core costs for selected students throughout their program. Beyond that, the published material does not break the package down into a tuition figure, a monthly stipend amount or a flight allowance. I would not assume any specific number until you see it in writing.
The TIAS / ISP program website is where the program says it lists participating universities, covered fields and scholarship benefits. Read the benefits section there for your cycle, and if anything is unclear (for example, whether a language preparatory period is funded), ask the Embassy directly.
Grades and test scores you need for each level
TIAS is open to Pakistani applicants. The eligibility list names "Pakistani or eligible nationality", and the scheme is described as open to students from multiple nationalities, with the current eligible nationality list on the official TIAS website. Academic and language cut-offs depend on the level you are applying for.
| Requirement | Bachelor's | Master's | PhD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic minimum | HSSC 880/1100 | CGPA 3.00/4.00 | CGPA 3.00/4.00 |
| TOEFL ITP | 477 | 477 | 530 |
| IELTS | 5.5 | 5.5 | 6.0 |
Everyone also needs a valid passport, a comprehensive medical certificate from a Government Hospital issued within 3 months, and a good conduct or clear criminal record certificate.
The English scores are modest compared with scholarships in the UK or Australia. The 880/1100 HSSC threshold is the one that rules out more Pakistani Bachelor's applicants, so check your marksheet honestly before investing time in the rest.
The medical certificate trips people up
This is the document I would start on first after your passport. It must come from a Government Hospital, it must be issued within 3 months of your application date, and it is broader than a normal fitness certificate. It needs to cover:
- a physical examination
- a mental health assessment by a licensed psychiatrist
- infectious disease screening, including HIV, TB and Hepatitis (other diseases such as Ebola and Zika are also mentioned)
- a negative drug test
Two common mistakes: reusing an older medical from a previous application, and getting the tests done at a private lab. Both can sink an otherwise strong file. Time the medical so it is fresh on the day you submit, not on the day the window opened.
The Pakistani document pack
The Pakistan checklist has nine items. Which academic documents you need depends on your level.
- Valid passport
- CNIC, or Birth Certificate if you are under 18
- For Master's and PhD: degree certificate and transcripts, HEC and MoFA attested, showing at least a 3.00 CGPA
- For Bachelor's: HSSC result card or marksheet, IBCC and MoFA attested, showing at least 880/1100
- TOEFL ITP or IELTS certificate
- Medical certificate from a Government Hospital (physical exam, mental health, TB, HIV, Hepatitis, drug test)
- Employment certificate, if you work in the government sector
- Good conduct and clear criminal record letter from local authorities
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Attestation is the slow part. Start HEC or IBCC and MoFA attestation 6-8 weeks before you plan to submit. If you have not been through the process before, our IBCC and MoFA attestation guide walks through it. All documents are uploaded in PDF format, so scan each one cleanly and name the files clearly.
Applying through the Embassy form
- Contact the Indonesian Embassy in your country early and confirm the current requirements for this cycle.
- Complete the TIAS 2026 registration form provided by the Embassy. The current link is the TIAS application form.
- Upload all required documents in PDF format through that registration form.
- Submit before the deadline. For the 2026 cycle the document submission deadline was April 10, 2026.
- Wait for the Embassy to confirm whether you have been granted portal access and recommended. Only applicants who meet all Embassy criteria move forward.
For Pakistani students the relevant office is the Embassy of Indonesia in Islamabad, at 222-238 Street 11, E-7, Islamabad (islamabad.kemlu.go.id). It also handles Indonesian student visa and KITAS (Temporary Stay Permit) questions for TIAS recipients. Once you are in Indonesia, the Embassy of Pakistan in Jakarta provides consular services. Students from other countries can find their nearest mission through the Indonesia embassies directory.
Planning around a March opening and an April close
The scholarship typically opens around March, and the 2026 document deadline was April 10, 2026. That is a short window. If you only start attestation and the medical when the form opens, you will struggle to finish in time, because attestation alone can take 6-8 weeks.
The realistic plan is to treat the months before March as preparation time: sit TOEFL ITP or IELTS, finish attestation, update your CV and gather your police character certificate. Leave the medical for last so it stays within the 3-month limit. The form is also described as reviewed on a rolling basis, which is one more reason not to wait for the last day. Dates can shift from year to year, so confirm the exact deadline for the cycle you are targeting on the official form or with the Embassy.
Check the teaching language before you pick a program
Many Indonesian university programs are taught mainly in Bahasa Indonesia. Some programs, particularly at postgraduate level and in select fields, are available in English. Do not assume. Confirm the language of instruction for your exact program before you apply. If your chosen program is in Bahasa Indonesia, the Embassy or university may arrange a language preparatory course, but "may" is the operative word, so ask.
My honest view: Master's and PhD applicants have a better chance of finding English-taught options. Bachelor's applicants should be ready to learn Bahasa Indonesia, which is considered relatively accessible for English speakers to reach a functional level. Indonesian universities are known for programs in engineering, agriculture, medicine and the social sciences, and costs are much lower than Western alternatives. For a student from Pakistan, halal food is easy to find and the cultural adjustment is gentler than in many other destinations.
Mistakes that cost Pakistani applicants a recommendation
- Treating the Google Form as the whole application. The Embassy recommendation is the real first hurdle, and it is non-negotiable.
- Uploading unattested transcripts or an HSSC marksheet without IBCC and MoFA stamps.
- Getting the medical from a private hospital, or leaving out the psychiatric assessment or drug test.
- Applying for a Bahasa-taught program without realising it.
- Government employees forgetting the employment certificate.
- Expecting precise stipend figures that the published material does not give.
If you are comparing TIAS with other options, the all Indonesia scholarships roundup and our scholarships guide for Pakistani students are useful next reads.
Frequently asked questions
Can Pakistani students apply for TIAS?
Yes. Pakistani nationals are listed as eligible, and the Pakistani process runs through the Embassy of Indonesia in Islamabad. Check the current eligible nationality list on the official TIAS website each cycle.
What is the minimum CGPA for TIAS?
Master's and PhD applicants need at least 3.00 out of 4.00. Bachelor's applicants need an HSSC score of at least 880 out of 1100.
Which English test scores are accepted?
TOEFL ITP or IELTS. Bachelor's and Master's applicants need TOEFL ITP 477 or IELTS 5.5. Doctoral applicants need TOEFL ITP 530 or IELTS 6.0.
Who manages TIAS?
It is a government scholarship managed by the Republic of Indonesia's Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek), with applications routed through Indonesian Embassies. It is separate from individual university scholarships.
Can I study any subject?
Programs are available in most academic fields at eligible Indonesian state universities. Check that your program is offered and confirm its teaching language before applying.
When does the next round open?
TIAS typically opens around March. Confirm the current cycle and deadline on the official form or with the Indonesian Embassy in your country.
Before you apply, read the current requirements on the official TIAS website and the Embassy registration form, and keep the full scholarship page handy for quick reference.