Minister assures aid to students on loan scheme

Minister of Higher Education Dr. Mariyam Mariya on Thursday assured financial support to all the students currently enrolled to courses through student loan scheme.

A total of 1,709 students applied to the 500 slots opened under this year’s student loan scheme. The ministry however decided to extend loans to all eligible students.

At the President’s Office press conference on Thursday, the Higher Education Minister highlighted studies for the September/October intake will begin at varying dates in September, and added the ministry has already begun issuing stipends to the students.

For those enrolled and studying in universities abroad, state will be providing stipends in US dollars.

“The September intake courses are set to begin on different dates from 1^st of the month to 30^th, so we have been releasing stipends each week based on necessity of the students, but there may be delays,” Minister Mariya added.

The minister’s remarks have come while few students in foreign universities recently complained they had not received their monthly stipends with only a few days for their courses to begin officially.

The stipend is arranged prior to the commencement of each semester after verifying the student’s enrolment to their selected programs. The students are required to submit documents that include a letter from the university confirming the student’s enrolment, subjects, and tuition invoices as verification.

Among the delays the ministry is facing in arranging stipends to students, it highlighted necessary documents from some students are missing. The minister also noted other administrative issues were hindering the speed of stipend issuance as well.

To overcome these issues, the Higher Education Ministry has been working on a dedicated student loan system – aimed at providing a robust solution to all the administrative hiccups.

Mariya assured special consideration will be given to the students enrolled to courses through student loan schemes. She further affirmed students will receive their stipends without interruptions.