Ministry of Higher Education on Monday opened 550 slots under their student loan scheme for individuals to pursue higher studies within and outside of Maldives.
Briefing the press at a conference, the ministry declared that the loan scheme was revamped to facilitate more, beneficial opportunities for Maldivian students, especially for the economically disadvantaged.
Interested applicants may apply to secure loans for courses authorised by Maldives Qualifications Authority, from Level 5 (Diploma) to Level 10 (Doctoral), and license and professional programmes, before the deadline of March 9, 1330 hrs.
Diploma: 45 placements
License course: 30 placements
Bachelor's Degree: 252 placements
Master's Degree: 126 placements
Doctoral Degree (PhD): 10 placements
The Ministry also introduced a special category for students hailing from each constituency of the country. The government stated that this category aims to provide equal chances for students from all over Maldives, as per the administration's decentralisation policy.
A total of MVR 151 million will be distributed through the state's first educational loan scheme in 2020. More opportunities are to be announced late this year.
Recipients of the loan will be announced on April 20.
The government plans to introduce separate loan schemes for students undergoing medicine or health-related courses from reputable institutions and for training students in non-traditional areas.
By 2023, the government aims to provide at least 25,000 students with the opportunity to study under a free undergraduate degree scheme, award higher education scholarships to a minimum of 1,000 students and enable at least 2,500 students to take out loans to pursue tertiary education.
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