Government Opens Applications for Presidential and High Achiever Scholarships with New Freedoms

The Maldivian government has opened applications for the 2025 academic cycle of the President’s Scholarship and the High Achievers’ Scholarship. Prospective students can now apply via the official 'Kuri' portal, with the application window remaining open until the end of September 2026 to facilitate comprehensive educational planning. In a significant policy shift, the President’s Special Scholarship now grants recipients unrestricted freedom to choose any academic discipline for their tertiary education. This move marks a departure from previous constraints, allowing students to align their studies with their personal and professional aspirations. Notably, this expansion of academic autonomy applies retroactively to students who completed their A-level examinations last year. To encourage the nation's top academic talent to study within the Maldives, the government has introduced new financial incentives. Students awarded the High Achievers’ Scholarship who choose to pursue their degrees locally will receive a supplementary allowance of USD 389 in addition to their standard stipend. This strategic move aims to strengthen local academic institutions by retaining high-performing students. In exchange for this state sponsorship, the updated regulations mandate a public service commitment ranging from four to seven years upon completion of their studies. This ensures that the investment in higher education translates into tangible development for the Maldives. The government also confirmed that new provisions have been integrated to streamline logistical arrangements and expand auxiliary support services for all scholars, ensuring a smoother transition into higher education whether studying locally or abroad.