Zakat House Eases Application Rules for 30 Higher Education Scholarships

Zakat House has streamlined the application process for its 2026 higher-education scholarship programme, reducing the immediate documentation burden for aspiring students. The institution is offering 30 scholarships in total, with 20 allocated for international study and 10 for students remaining in the Maldives. The revised requirements specifically target the placement letter process. Previously a hurdle for many, students applying for programmes regulated by the Maldives Qualification Authority (MQA) are no longer required to submit a placement letter during the initial application phase. Instead, applicants must secure the MQA letter only after receiving a placement offer and forward it to Zakat House promptly. The programme primarily supports undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, with a strong focus on Islamic disciplines. Dedicated slots are available for Master’s and PhD candidates specializing in fields such as Islamic Sharia, Quranic Studies, Islamic Education, Aqeedah, Fiqh, and Islamic Leadership and Management. While Islamic studies are prioritized, Zakat House will consider applications for other fields if the candidate can demonstrate a clear contribution to the growth and development of the Maldives’ Islamic community. Beyond the general scholarship pool, Zakat House has introduced two specialized tracks to address specific needs. Five stipended scholarships are available for Maldivian students currently enrolled in universities in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Additionally, five training scholarships have been created specifically for female doctors pursuing specialized training in women’s health. This initiative aims to make higher education more accessible by removing bureaucratic barriers during the early stages of application. Interested candidates must submit their completed application forms by 2:00 pm on 16 July to be considered for the 2026 intake.