Applications open for 720 student loans
Students studying in the free degree scheme can apply for loans to meet their other expenses.
By
Shahudha Mohamed
A total of 720 applications for government student loans for higher education in the Maldives and abroad have been opened on Wednesday.
Applications for student loans were opened at a function held on Wednesday by Higher Education Minister Ibrahim Hassan. An announcement in this regard has already been gazetted.
As per the notification issued by the Higher Education Ministry, those who wish to study in courses from level 5 to level 10 of the country's national qualifications framework can apply for the loan.
Under the scheme, loans will be given in two categories:
-
New students
-
Existing students
Students can apply for a loan through the education portal. The application for the loan:
-
Deadline is 1.30 pm on March 15
-
All the students who have applied before March 1 can check their applications and if there is any problem, they will be informed through the portal before the expiry of the deadline.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Ibrahim Hassan said, "Like last year, this year too:
-
Loan opportunities are open with an administrative fee of 1%; students will know the total amount to be repaid for the loan and the amount will not change
-
The differently-abled will be able to study at diploma level in the country and abroad
-
Students studying in the free degree scheme can apply for loans to meet their other expenses
At the same time, Ibrahim Hassan said that there are certain things special for this year's scheme. Here are some of the things he pointed out:
-
This year, we have increased opportunities for sectors that have seen the highest demand in the last few years
-
60 options open for those who want to undergo pilot training; 10 opened last year
-
55 opportunities opened for MBBS abroad; 25 were opened last year
-
20 opportunities open for master's level postgraduate medicine abroad; 10 were opened last year
-
15 applications open for PhD
"Another reason that is special for this year's scheme is that when students who went for their first degree last year applied for the loan, they could apply only in certain areas. However, i would like to inform you that every first-time degree student in the country this year can apply for a loan if he/she needs additional assistance," the minister said.
He pointed out that despite taking a loan in the past, if the course has not been completed within the stipulated time due to other reasons, outside the student's personal jurisdiction, this year it has been decided to give more loan extension.
In the coming days, the Higher Education Ministry will conduct sessions to inform people about applying for the loan. Stating that the sessions will be telecast live on Facebook, the Minister urged all students to get information from the sessions and submit their applications as per the instructions given therein.
