Govt to allow year-round applications for student loans

The government will revise its policy to allow students to apply for higher education loans throughout the year without a fixed deadline, Higher Education Minister Ali Haider Ahmed said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference at the President's Office, the minister said the current system requires applications to be submitted within a specified period each year. Applications submitted after the deadline are not accepted.

The minister said the rule will be changed to allow students to apply for loans at any time. According to him, the decision was taken after identifying cases in which students were unable to submit applications before the deadline.

From this year onward, student loan applications will be accepted without a closing date. The minister said the application process will open after the Eid holidays.

Under the revised system, applicants must submit several documents to qualify for the loan.

These include a placement letter issued by the educational institution confirming admission and the start date of the course. Applicants must also submit information on course fees. The minister said this requirement applies even if the programme is offered in a country not currently included in the loan scheme.

In addition, applicants must provide an “Intended Programme Recognition Letter” issued by the Maldives Qualifications Authority to confirm recognition of the course.

The minister said the changes are intended to make the loan application process more accessible for students.

Government spending on higher education support remains significant. According to figures released at the press conference, MVR 471 million was disbursed for students studying under scholarship programmes between 2024 and 2025.

In 2025 alone, MVR 222 million was disbursed for scholarships.

Loans issued to students have also increased. A total of MVR 1.2 billion has been disbursed under student loan schemes, including MVR 548 million issued last year.