Government’s student loan expenditure falls as students abroad face stipend and fee delays

Government spending on student loans this year has fallen 20 percent compared to the same period last year.

The government allocated MVR 768 million for the student loan scheme in 2024. According to the Weekly Fiscal Developments report released by the Finance Ministry, MVR 540.8 million had been spent as of 11 December, the latest date covered in the report. That amounts to around 70 percent of the allocated budget.

This is a 20.4 percent decline from the MVR 672.3 million spent during the same period last year.

Statistics released by the Higher Education Ministry in September show that over MVR 1 billion has been disbursed in student loans since last year. During this period, 964 students have graduated through the loan scheme, including 382 graduates this year.

In addition, 1,733 students are currently studying under government loan schemes in 40 countries, including the Maldives.

The Weekly Fiscal Developments as of 11 December 2025 has been published on our website and can be accessed through the link below: https://t.co/DsbQq5WiuC pic.twitter.com/gPB6vV4LKQ

— Ministry of Finance and Planning (@MoFmv) December 17, 2025

While the Finance Ministry’s latest figures were published on Sunday, concerns have been growing throughout the year over delays in student loan payments and slow responses to letters and emails. Students have repeatedly reported delays in receiving stipends and tuition fee deposits, an issue that has been especially difficult for those studying abroad.

Parents and students overseas have voiced frustration, and recent social media posts have claimed that some students have lost educational opportunities due to delays in loans and scholarships.

Responding to the concerns on Sunday, Higher Education Minister Dr. Ali Haidar Ahmed said the government is working to resolve the delays in issuing stipends to students studying at government expense within this week.