President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has instructed the relevant ministries to issue student loans to all eligible applicants under this year’s government loan scheme for higher education in the Maldives and abroad.
The President said that under this decision, all 806 students who qualified for the loan scheme this year will be granted loans.
Higher education is a key priority sector for the government. The Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development opened application for 500 loan slots on 29 March, with the deadline for submission closing on 30 April.
The Ministry has now publicised the list of students selected for government loans to pursue higher education in the Maldives and overseas, and has invited the public to submit complaints. The deadline for lodging complaints is 1:00 pm on 3 August.
This year, a total of 1,338 students applied for student loans of whom 806 were deemed eligible. The list can be viewed on the Ministry’s website. If the status of any application changes, applicants will receive a text message. The website also outlines reasons for ineligibility where applicable.
Under the loan scheme, students can pursue their studies in a country of their choice. Loans are issued for fields identified as national priorities, including construction, aviation, agriculture and other sectors that are essential to the country, as outlined in President Muizzu’s manifesto.
With the President’s recent decision to make loans for higher education in the Maldives and abroad Shariah compliant, these loans will no longer carry any interest or administrative fees, the Ministry has said.