The Muizzu government’s failure to deliver on promises of student loan funding is causing severe hardship for many students planning to study overseas. Despite announcing 500 student loans this year, the government later decided to provide loans to 1,709 eligible applicants. However, numerous students have been left stranded, unable to begin their education abroad due to the lack of financial support from the government.
For many students, the September/October intake is a crucial window to start their higher education journey. Unfortunately, the delay in funding has left them in limbo. Some students, desperate to pursue their dreams, have relied on financial support from family and friends to cover the costs of tuition, travel, and living expenses. One student heading to Malaysia for the September intake shared how their family had to step in with financial assistance. They requested the loan agreement in late August and sent multiple emails to the Ministry of Higher Education, only to receive acknowledgment but no progress. Without the family’s help, they wouldn’t have been able to start their studies on time.
The delays in the student loan disbursement process are not only frustrating but also potentially devastating for students and their families. The financial burden these families now carry is significant, and without the promised loan funds, many may struggle to recover the money they’ve already spent.
Disturbingly, reports have surfaced that some students with connections to government officials managed to secure their loans and leave for university, raising questions of favoritism. Meanwhile, other students are left scrambling to find alternative ways to fund their education, taking on personal loans to cover the costs.
The process of obtaining these loans is complicated and drawn out, involving both the Ministry of Higher Education and the Finance Ministry. Current students waiting on their university funds are also facing delays, which adds to the growing frustration. While officials insist that they are working to prioritize the disbursement of funds, the reality on the ground shows that new students are struggling to secure the financial support they were promised.
This situation is yet another example of how the Muizzu administration is failing to meet its commitments, leaving students and families to bear the consequences of poor planning and inefficiency.
