Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Ibrahim Hassan has revealed the ministry’s decision to reopen opportunity for interested individuals to apply for government student loans to acquire higher education after re-evaluating the policy under which the loans are to be granted.

While the policy for the loan scheme drew a lot of public criticism, Minister Hassan in a press conference on Monday revealed the ministry’s decision to reopen opportunities for the 163 slots under the loan scheme which was publicized in March 2019.

The ministry is set to open the window for interested individuals to apply, within two days.

Minister Hassan revealed that this decision is followed by the disqualification of many applicants who had applied within the first-time round for 242 slots.

As such, although 993 had applied the first-time round, only 79 had been approved.

When inquired why so many applicants had been rejected, Minister Hassan revealed that it was because the opportunity was to acquire higher education from abroad and the applicants had sought loans to study in Maldives.

Further, Minister Hassan revealed several other reasons why the applications had been rejected. However, he revealed that rejected applicants may re-apply when the portal opens within a week. Minister Hassan urged applicants to follow through due procedure when submitting their applications.