Analysis of Scholarship Programs in Encouraging Human Resource Development: A Qualitative Study of Bojonegoro Regency Government Scholarship Recipients

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FORMOSA NEWS -Bojonegoro - Bojonegoro Scholarship Program Expands College Access but Lacks Long-Term Workforce Integration. A 2026 study by Devina Julia Rahmadani of Surabaya State University finds that the Bojonegoro Regency Government Scholarship Program significantly improves access to higher education and student motivation, but has yet to fully connect graduates with regional workforce needs. Published in the Formosa Journal of Applied Sciences, the research highlights both the strengths and structural gaps of one of Indonesia’s largest local scholarship initiatives. The findings matter as regional governments across Indonesia increasingly invest in education to strengthen human capital. Bojonegoro, a regency with strong oil, gas, and agricultural sectors, has allocated substantial public funds to scholarships. The study provides rare, ground-level insight into how these policies affect students and whether they translate into long-term development outcomes.

Growing Investment in Human Capital
Bojonegoro Regency has positioned education as a key driver of development. Through programs such as the “Ten Graduates per Village,” “Scientist Scholarship,” and final project assistance, the local government has expanded opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds. In 2025 alone, the scholarship budget reached approximately Rp34.6 billion, funded through the regional budget (APBD). The initiative reflects a broader policy shift toward building a knowledge-based economy, where economic growth depends on skilled, educated workers rather than natural resources alone. However, while access has improved, questions remain about whether these investments are aligned with long-term regional development strategies.

Listening to Scholarship Recipients
The Research used a qualitative approach to capture the real experiences of scholarship recipients. The study relied on in-depth interviews with university students from Bojonegoro who received government scholarships. Rather than focusing on numerical data, the research analyzed personal experiences, identifying patterns in how students accessed the program, how it affected their academic journey, and what outcomes it produced. This approach provides a more nuanced understanding of policy effectiveness, especially in education and human development.

Key Findings: Access, Financial Relief, and Motivation
The study identifies three major impacts of the Bojonegoro scholarship program:

• Expanded access to higher education. Students from low-income families gained opportunities to attend university that would otherwise have been out of reach.
• Reduced financial burden. Scholarships helped cover tuition fees, particularly the Single Tuition Fee (UKT), easing pressure on families.
• Increased academic motivation. Requirements such as minimum GPA and time limits encouraged students to stay disciplined and complete their studies on time.

Beyond these measurable outcomes, the program also delivered psychological benefits. Many students reported increased self-confidence, independence, and a sense of pride in earning the scholarship through a competitive process.

Real-World Impact: Breaking Poverty Cycles, Building Local Economies
The research confirms that the scholarship program plays a critical role in social mobility. By enabling students from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue higher education, it helps break cycles of intergenerational poverty. At the same time, its long-term impact depends on better integration with economic planning. 

If aligned effectively, the program could:

• Increase local workforce competitiveness.
• Support innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Strengthen regional industries.
• Improve the Human Development Index (HDI).

Without such alignment, however, the benefits may remain limited to individual success rather than broader regional transformation.

Author Profile

Devina Julia Rahmadani is a researcher from Surabaya State University specializing in human resource development, education policy, and community empowerment. 

Source

Rahmadani, Devina Julia. Analysis of Scholarship Programs in Encouraging Human Resource Development: A Qualitative Study of Bojonegoro Regency Government Scholarship Recipients. Formosa Journal of Applied Sciences (FJAS), 2026, Vol. 5 No. 3, pp. 903–916.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/fjas.v5i3.27
URL: https://journalfjas.my.id/index.php/fjas