The government has opened for applications under the student loan scheme to pursue higher education in the Maldives and abroad.

In an announcement, the Higher Education Ministry said 500 loans will be offered this year. Applications will be accepted till April 30.

Both new and current students can apply for loans.

Current students with government loan can also request to top up the loan amounts. The maximum amount for topping up is MVR 700,000.

There have concerns over the delay in opening for students loans.

Last year, 500 loans were offered under the scheme but the government later decided to provide loans to all eligible applicants.

Out of 1,709 students who applied for the loan, 1,153 students were deemed eligible. But many eligible applicants who enrolled in pilot courses were not given loans.

Around 148 students who qualified for the pilot license slot but the government decided to give loans to only 10 students.