The government has begun reviewing the loans and stipend allowances provided to Maldivian students pursuing higher education overseas, Minister of Higher Education Dr. Ali Haidar has said.

Speaking on the “Tharujamaanaa Eku” podcast hosted by President’s Office Chief Spokesperson Heena Waleed, Minister Haidar said the review was initiated as the current stipend structure has remained unchanged for nearly seven years, despite rising living costs in many countries.

He noted that the ministry has also received complaints from students regarding delays in the disbursement of funds.

According to the minister, although preparations to release stipends had begun more than two months in advance, technical and administrative issues resulted in delays of up to eight weeks in some cases.

The minister explained that the ongoing review aims to address discrepancies in stipend amounts across different countries, acknowledging that living expenses vary significantly depending on the destination

.

Dr. Haidar added that data from the past four years shows that the majority of students who were eligible for financial assistance have received their funds.

However, he stressed that disbursements are made strictly in accordance with financial regulations.

He said stipends and loans are released only after all required documentation is submitted, noting that incomplete paperwork can delay or prevent the release of funds.