Still Confused What is Awardee? Check Out the Complete Explanation Here

Illustration of what is awardee (freepik)

YOGYAKARTA - Many people are looking for what an awardee is on the internet, after the viral posting of an alumnus of the Education Fund Management Agency (LPDP) scholarship on social media on February 20, 2026.

The impact was not trivial, the LPDP scholarship recipient's upload triggered netizen criticism until there was a discourse on transferring scholarship funds to other priority programs.

The spotlight is not only on the individual concerned, but also on the governance of the education endowment fund and the contributions of scholarship recipients after completing their studies. So, what is the meaning of awardee in the context of scholarships? Read on!

What is an Awardee in the World of Scholarships?

Dilansir VOI dari laman UNY Community, awardee adalah sebutan bagi seseorang yang berhasil menerima penghargaan atau pendanaan dari suatu lembaga.

In the context of education, awardee of a scholarship means an individual who passes the selection and officially becomes a recipient of educational funding assistance.

You need to know, the process to become an awardee is not easy. Each institution has different criteria, ranging from academic achievements, organizational track record, social contributions, to personal economic background and motivation.

Thus, a person with the status of awardee is not arbitrary. Awardee is not just a label, but the result of a competitive selection process.

LPDP and the Education Endowment Fund Scheme

The LPDP scholarship itself is financed by the government through the National Education Development Fund (DPPN) managed by the LPDP. Since 2019, the government has prepared an education endowment fund to ensure the sustainability of financing.

Until 2026, the state budget allocates Rp. 25 trillion for education endowment funds. The total endowment fund currently managed by the LPDP reaches Rp. 180.8 trillion. This fund is not spent directly, but is invested to generate returns to finance the scholarship program on an ongoing basis. So where does this money come from?

The source of LPDP funds comes from state revenues, including taxes and non-tax state revenues (PNBP), investment returns, and other non-binding legitimate sources.

Then the management of the fund is also carried out by the LPDP together with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, the Ministry of Religion, and the National Research and Innovation Agency.

Read also the article discussing Domestic Scholarships Other Than KIP Lectures that Students Must Know

Spotlight on Awardees and Duty of Service

The controversy arose after the upload of a LPDP alumnus with the initials DS who offended his son's citizenship. The wild ball developed on the alleged incompletion of his husband's service obligation, who was also an awardee of the LPDP.

Finally, the Minister of Finance, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, stated that if it was proven that he had violated the provisions, the person concerned was willing to return the scholarship funds and interest.

The question is, this event has widened into a discourse on cutting LPDP funds. A number of alumni assessed that the deviation by one or two awardees should not be used as an excuse to cut the program.

Tips to Become a Scholarship Awardee

Interested in becoming an awardee? Here are some things you can prepare to become a scholarship recipient:

Find the right scholarship information

Take the time to research the type of scholarship that is relevant to your background, interests, and needs. Understand the requirements, deadlines, and selection stages.

Develop expertise and skills

Apart from academic grades, leadership skills, organizational experience, and non-academic achievements are often important considerations.

Active in social activities

Involvement in voluntary activities or community service shows a commitment to contribution which is an added value in the selection.

Prepare for the interview

Learn the vision and mission of the scholarship provider and practice the ability to answer questions honestly and structured.

Consistent and not easy to give up

The scholarship selection process is very competitive. If you don't succeed on the first try, evaluate yourself and try again.

Thus, understanding what an awardee is will help the public see that scholarship recipients not only receive education funds, but also bear the responsibility of contributing.