The Ministry of Higher Education has revealed that more than 1,500 individuals have applied for Higher Education Loan Scheme 2023.
The higher education ministry opened this year's student loan scheme on February 15, 2022, with some changes. The ministry received a total of 1,507 applications for the 720 slots announced under this scheme. The applications were submitted through the ministry’s portal.
Individuals who apply for student loans will receive the opportunity to study for a diploma. Additionally, students studying under the government’s free degree programme can apply for a loan to further their studies in their chosen field and have the opportunity for the government to cover costs not stipulated in the free degree programme.
The ministry opened 60 loan opportunities for pilot training, 55 applications to study for a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) abroad, and 20 opportunities to study for Postgraduate Medicine abroad.
Additionally, the loan applications include the opportunities for students to receive a top-up loan to cover periods where they are unable to complete the programme within the deadline. The applications also include the opportunity to study for a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in order to train college and university lecturers. Applicants have the opportunity to study in any country but the amount of expenses the government is willing to cover is country-dependent. The loan scheme has been provided after reducing the administration fee to 1%.