MEDAN – USU Public Relations: Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) continues to uphold its commitment to implementing a fair, proportional, and economically appropriate Single Tuition Fee (UKT) system. To achieve this, UKT assessments are conducted through a verification and validation process of the data and supporting documents submitted by students, ensuring that all information used as the basis for assessment is complete, valid, and accurately reflects the student’s economic circumstances.

This was conveyed by Erjan Fikry Antari, S.Pd., M.Si., Manager of Finance at the USU Directorate of Finance. He explained that UKT is the tuition fee paid by students each semester as a contribution to higher education financing. The fee is fixed for each semester and covers academic needs in accordance with applicable regulations.

According to him, USU’s UKT system is designed to take into account the economic capacity of each student’s family. As a result, students enrolled in the same study program may be assigned different UKT categories based on their financial conditions. This differs from school tuition fees at the primary and secondary education levels, which are generally uniform and do not involve a comprehensive assessment of economic capacity.

“USU is committed to providing a more equitable and proportional education financing system. Therefore, UKT assessments are based on verified and validated data to ensure they accurately reflect the economic conditions of students and their families in an objective and accountable manner,” he said.

The verification process considers various indicators, including family income, employment information, housing ownership status, residential conditions, the number of siblings currently pursuing higher education, school tuition records, and supporting socioeconomic documents. Students are expected to provide accurate and complete information, supported by relevant documentation when necessary.

Erjan emphasized that the purpose of collecting these documents is not to evaluate students’ personal lives, but rather to ensure that UKT assessments are based on valid, objective, and accountable data.

If the verification process finds that submitted information is incomplete, inconsistent, or insufficient, the verification team may recommend adjustments to the assigned UKT category. This measure is intended to ensure that tuition assessments are not based on unverified information.

However, students who believe that their assigned UKT category does not accurately reflect their financial circumstances are provided with an appeal mechanism. Through this process, students may revise their information, submit additional supporting documents, or provide further explanations regarding their economic condition.

Erjan also clarified that family loans or personal debts are not considered primary indicators in UKT assessments because borrowing practices vary significantly among households and do not always objectively reflect financial capacity. Likewise, educational expenses for siblings in primary or secondary school are currently not included in the assessment criteria; only siblings simultaneously enrolled in higher education are taken into account.

He reiterated that the primary goal of the UKT system is to provide a tuition structure that is fair, proportional, and accountable, while ensuring students have the opportunity to raise concerns when their circumstances are not fully reflected in the initial assessment.

“USU continues to provide an appeal mechanism as part of its commitment to ensuring that UKT assessments are not solely based on initial system data. Through this process, students can update information, submit clarifications, and provide additional evidence so that tuition assessments more accurately reflect their actual economic conditions,” he concluded.

Through this mechanism, USU hopes that the UKT assessment process can be carried out in accordance with the principles of fairness, transparency, and alignment with each student's economic circumstances.