Govt. announces students selected for loan scheme, releases tentative scores

Higher Education Ministry has announced the names of 393 students selected for the student loan scheme, and released the tentative scores.

Following the announcement on Monday afternoon, Higher Education Minister Dr. Ibrahim Hassan said that 1,000 students applied for the loan scheme.

Dr. Ibrahim said that slots were granted to students enrolled in the free degree scheme, who needed funds to cover additional expenses.

“We reserved slots in fields for which training needs are most critical for Maldives, and worked to ascertain loans for students who applied in the fields,” he said.

Dr. Ibrahim said the Higher Education Ministry also prioritized students who lacked financial means.

The loan scheme has two categories, loans for new students and loans for students already enrolled in courses.

New students were prioritized from among the two categories, with additional priority to students who lack financial means.

As for students already enrolled in courses, priority was given to students with the shortest course period, and lack financial means.

Dr. Ibrahim said that details of the selection for the student loan were published on the Higher Education Ministry’s website, and that complaints regarding the scores will be looked into by a special committee set up for the purpose.

Complaints can be submitted until end of May 24.

The permanent scores will be released on June 5.

Dr. Ibrahim said that while the Higher Education Ministry did not, as general rule, grant slots under the scheme for courses available in Maldives, applications had been opened for students who wish to complete MBBS and pilot courses from overseas as they were priority fields.

129 students applied for 25 slots to complete MBBS, while 252 students applied for 10 slots to complete pilot courses.

31 students applied for five slots to complete PhD.