Minister Says Overseas Student Funding Delays Largely Linked to Documentation and Verification Issues

Minister for Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed said delays in disbursing funds to Maldivian students studying abroad are mainly caused by incomplete documentation and verification issues.

Speaking on the fifth episode of the Spokesperson for the President’s Office podcast, Tharujamaanaa Eku, Minister Haidar said students often begin the funding request process too late, sometimes submitting applications just a week before payment deadlines. He said the ministry allows students to initiate requests up to two months in advance of each funding cycle and advised students to use that window to avoid delays.

Haidar said the ministry regularly receives complaints about delayed payments, but noted that more than 75 percent of allocated funds have been disbursed over the past four years. He acknowledged that, in some cases, students have waited up to eight weeks for payments, attributing this to missing or unclear documentation.

ތަރުޖަމާނާ އެކު އެޕިސޯޑް 5: މިނިސްޓަރ އޮފް ހަޔަރ އެޑިޔުކޭޝަން، ލޭބަރ އެންޑް ސްކިލްސް ޑިވެލޮޕްމަންޓް – "ރާއްޖެއިން ބޭރުގައި ކިޔަވާ ދަރިވަރުންނަށް ދޭ އެހީ" pic.twitter.com/oATjgdadoH— Heena Waleed (@MvSpokesperson) January 19, 2026

According to Haidar, the ministry must verify two key requirements before releasing funds: confirmation of regular attendance at the educational institution and authentication of the information submitted by students. If either requirement cannot be verified, the Ministry of Finance may reject the request, leading to delays. He added that these checks are carried out twice a year, once each semester, in line with financial regulations.

To improve communication with students abroad, the ministry has expanded its contact channels. Dedicated WhatsApp groups are planned for countries with more than 50 Maldivian students, while students in smaller numbers can reach the ministry through call centres and email.

Minister Haidar also said the ministry is working on revising the stipend provided to students overseas. He noted that stipend rates have not been updated for seven years despite rising living costs in many study destinations, and said the revised amounts would reflect current expenses.

The remarks follow increased public discussion last month after anonymous complaints about the ministry circulated on social media. The compilation highlighted concerns, including delayed loan and stipend disbursements, insufficient financial support, and limited transparency.

Students reported that payment delays have disrupted university enrolment, access to academic systems, and scholarship continuity. Others raised concerns about outdated stipend amounts, currency exchange losses, repeated requests for documentation, and delays in tuition payments. Some submissions also alleged administrative errors in agreements and approvals.