Dependence of Zakat Assistance among Asnaf Students in East Coast, Malaysia

In Malaysia, institutions of higher education provide zakat as one of the financial aids given to students in the asnaf category. There are 21 public universities in Malaysia that provide zakat assistance in cash to students in the asnaf category at all 21 campuses. Every semester of study, asnaf students receive zakat cash assistance, which is twice a year. The question is, does this zakat cash assistance benefit the asnaf students? As a result, this article will identify the level of dependence on zakat aid among asnaf students. The data sample consists of asnaf students at the UiTM Terengganu Branch, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT). The data collection method is a questionnaire created in accordance with the study sample, which is UiTM, UniSZA, and UMT asnaf students. For the three universities, a sample of 164 students was taken. We conducted data analysis using descriptive statistical analysis, specifically Structure Equation Modelling (SEM), and generated the data using the Smart PLS version 4.0.9.2. The results of the study found that the level of dependence on zakat aid among students is high, with four variables showing a significant effect, namely the knowledge factor, perception factor, exposure factor, and attitude factor. The understanding factor has no significant impact on the Dependent of Zakat Assistance (DZA) factor. A long-term strategy must be implemented to increase IPT's zakat fund through the involvement of all parties, whether educational institutions, zakat institutions, private parties, or the government.