Central Java Province Finalizes Santri and Pesantren Caregiver Scholarship Selections

The Provincial Government of Central Java (Jawa Tengah) announced the final stage of its 2026 scholarship program for santri (students) and pesantren caretakers. According to the Lembaga Fasilitasi dan Sinergitas Pesantren (LFSP), 942 applicants applied—702 santri and 240 caretakers. Interviews for domestic scholarships will be held on 25‑26 July 2026, with results to be released on 3 August.

For overseas scholarships, 15 candidates have already been selected. Three will study science and technology in China, one will pursue medicine at Al‑Azhar University in Egypt, three will attend Al‑Ahqof University in Yemen, and seven will study Islamic studies at Al‑Azhar in Egypt, including one double‑degree student. The program, termed "Program Pesantren Obah," is a flagship initiative of Governor Ahmad Luthfi and Deputy Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen. It aims to provide opportunities for santri who might otherwise be excluded from existing scholarships. The LFSP chair, Hasyim Muhammad, said, "Ini kepedulian Pemprov Jateng kepada pesantren di Jawa Tengah… semoga program ini berkah untuk semuanya."

The 2026 scholarship round is the first of its kind and will be repeated in future years.