The Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Ali Haidhar, has announced that starting from 2026, the opportunity to apply for student loans will remain open throughout the year, eliminating fixed application deadlines. The Minister noted that this change is being implemented because the previous system of specific deadlines posed challenges for many students, often leading to missed opportunities for financial assistance.
With this structural change, the Minister also highlighted updates to the required documentation. Applicants will be required to submit an official placement or offer letter from their educational institution, the program’s fee structure, a recognition letter from the Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA), and, for fields requiring specific regulatory approval, documentation verifying that the program is authorized by the relevant bodies.
The Minister further stated that the application window will officially open following the upcoming holidays and encouraged students to prepare their documents in advance. He emphasized that the processing of complete applications will be significantly more efficient and faster than in previous years.
Additionally, to ensure that the financial assistance provided to students is Shariah-compliant, President Dr. Muizzu has previously decided that no service charges will be levied on the repayment of these loans.
