Ministry of Higher Education has revealed it has received around 800 application forms for student loans to pursue higher education. The application deadline for the student loan is March 3.
The higher education ministry on February 7 opened 720 slots for student loans. The ministry revealed it will be providing 417 loans to new students and 303 loans to students currently undergoing higher education.
At a press conference, Minister of Higher Education Dr. Ibrahim Hassan said the loan scheme began after reducing the student administration fee from 3% to 1%. The minister noted the administration had reduced the fee from 5% to 3% in its first year and that further reducing the fee to 1% was conducted as part of the strategic action plan. He said the loan scheme also includes the opportunity to complete a master's degree programme in the Maldives, as many students are currently in such programmes and the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced the opportunities to study abroad.
Moreover, master's degree opportunities have also been opened in the Maldives under this year's loan scheme although master's degree opportunities were not offered in the Maldives under the loan scheme opened last year.