Ministry of Higher Education has opened applications for the largest student loan scheme to be opened in the Maldives.
The latest student loan scheme announced by the government has 770 slots, including 471 slots for current students and 290 slots for students beginning their studies. The loan scheme aims to train locals in sectors which are important for national development.
Speaking at a press conference held to announce the opening of the loan scheme, Higher Education Minister Dr. Ibrahim Hassan revealed the new loan scheme has slots allocated for individuals with disabilities. The minister added the loan scheme also includes provisions for additional expenditure undertaken by students who move from the atolls to Male’ for their studies.
Unlike other years, this year’s loan scheme does not have an open category. However, the loan scheme provides opportunities to undertake courses abroad from some sectors where training is available in the Maldives. This includes medicine and pilot training.
This year’s loan scheme includes 20 slots for post-graduate medicine as well. This includes 10 slots for new students and 10 slots for current students.
Number of countries to which full funding is available has been increased in this year’s loan scheme. Students undertaking courses from countries to which partial funding is available must arrange part of the funds on their own.
Applications for the loan scheme have been opened through the designated online portal. The higher education ministry said priority will be given to individuals registered as poor under the Zakat Fund.