Applications are now open for students who got selected for the High Achievers' and President's scholarship to select their preferred area of study. 

Under the President's Scholarship, students can pursue First Degrees in a country of their choice in any field they they opt for, with the government bearing all costs. 

Applications for the scholarship through the 'Kuri' portal has been opened now, with the deadline set for September 30 next year. 

If High Achievers' scholarship recipients choose to study in-country, they will be provided an allowance in addition to the stipend, the government decided this year. An allowance of MVR 6,000 is to be given in such cases. The scholarship is now granted to students who achieved a minimum of one A* in A' Levels or an equivalent exam. 

Previously, the scholarship was offered to students who received a minimum of 5 As in A' Levels, including Dhivehi and Islam. 

For students of Arabiyya School, the criteria previously required an A in the final average of all subjects studied in the Shahadha Saanawiyya, along with an A grade in Dhivehi.

But according to the new criteria, Arabiyya students must obtain an A* in at least one of the subjects determined by the Ministry within their studied stream.   

No changes have been brought to the President's Scholarship. That scholarship is awarded to students who obtain an A* in five subjects, including Islam and Dhivehi, in the Higher Secondary examination, and a grade higher than a C in English at O-Level or above.