Over 1,300 had applied for government student loan scheme

A total of 1,351 students have applied for higher education loans under the government’s student loan scheme, Higher Education Minister Dr Ali Haidar said today.

The loan window, which opened on March 29 last year with 500 available slots, received applications from students seeking to pursue further education both in the Maldives and abroad.

Responding to a question from Hulhumale' South MP Dr Ahmed Shamheed during today's Parliament sitting, Minister Haidar said the government's policy has been to grant loans to all eligible applicants a precedent that was followed last year.

He said that the same approach would be maintained this year, although no formal decision has yet been made.

The minister also addressed concerns over delays in the loan disbursement process. He said that loan allocations are based on the merit of A-Level examination results, which are typically published after February.

“It [Loan] opened in January, but we have to wait until the end of February to award the students,” Minister Haidar said.

The loan scheme would be available in two categories; new student loans and top-up loans for current students. Top-up loans are capped at MVR 700,000.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has previously announced that the one percent administrative fee for student loan repayments will be waived under his administration.