Applications Open for 2026 Higher Education Loan Scheme

The government has opened applications for the 2026 Higher Education Loan Scheme, enabling students to seek financial support for higher education and training both in the Maldives and abroad. 

The 2026 Higher Education Loan Scheme was officially inaugurated by Higher Education Minister Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed during a ceremony held at the ministry on Wednesday.

According to the ‘Loan Regulation’ for the Higher Education Loan Scheme, the various opportunities opened for the provision of financial assistance are listed as:

1. Programmes ranging from Level 5 to Level 10 of the Maldives National Qualifications Framework (MNQF).
2. Professional Licence programmes.
3. Medical Specialisation programmes.
4. Medical Fellowship programmes.
5. Top-up Loans: Opportunities for students previously granted loans who are unable to complete their designated programme within the stipulated duration due to circumstances beyond their control, providing them with additional financial support.
6. Internship Loans: Opportunities to apply for a loan to complete a mandatory internship required to obtain a permit to practise in the Maldives within the field of a completed or ongoing programme of study. 

Students can submit their applications through the ‘Kuri Portal’.

ރާއްޖެއާއި ރާއްޖޭން ބޭރުން މަތީ ތަޢުލީމާއި ތަމްރީނު ހޯދަން ބޭނުންވާ ދަރިވަރުންނަށްއަމާޒުކޮށްގެން، 2026 ވަނަ އަހަރުގެ މަތީ ތަޢުލީމުގެ ލޯނަށް އެދުމުގެ ފުރުޞަތު ރަސްމީކޮށް ހުޅުވާލައިފި. 2026 ވަނަ އަހަރުގެ ލޯނު ސްކީމް އިފްތިތާޙް ކޮށްދެއްވީ މިއަދު ވުޒާރާގައި ބޭއްވި ހާއްސަ… pic.twitter.com/etx25gV2e0— Min. of Higher Edu, Labour and Skills Development (@MoHEmv) April 1, 2026

Speaking at a press conference last month, Minister Ali Haidar said that student loan applications will no longer be subject to fixed deadlines and will instead remain open throughout the year.

He noted that previous deadlines had created challenges for students, with some missing out on loan opportunities due to late submissions. The change is expected to provide greater flexibility and accessibility for applicants.

The minister also announced revisions to documentation requirements. In addition to standard documents, applicants must now submit: 

• A university placement letter 
• Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA) intended programme letter at the time of application 
• A detailed fee structure 

Meanwhile, data from the Ministry of Finance indicates a decline in government spending on student loans. According to ministry statistics, expenditure on student loans has decreased by MVR 132.9 million compared to the same period in 2024.

The state allocated MVR 768 million for student loans in 2025. However, the Finance Ministry’s Weekly Fiscal Development Report shows that only MVR 491.6 million had been disbursed as of 13 November, compared to MVR 624.5 million during the same period last year.