Many Maldivian students studying in Australia are going through a tough time right now. The government, led by President Mohamed Muizzu, has not paid their university fees and living allowances on time. This has caused big problems, like universities blocking students from classes, threats of expulsion, and a lot of stress for the students and their families back home. What’s Causing the Problem?
The delays come from the Ministry of Higher Education and the Finance Ministry. Even when student loans and scholarships are approved, the money is not sent quickly. This issue started getting worse in 2024, and by late 2025, many payments are still overdue by several months. President Muizzu promised earlier this year to fix the delays and solve the shortage of US dollars needed for overseas payments. But students are still waiting, and the problems continue.
How This Affects Students in Australia Australia is one of the most popular places for Maldivian students to study. Recently:
- Monash University said on December 22, 2025, that it will no longer accept the Maldivian government as a sponsor because of unpaid fees. This makes it harder for new students to get visas.
- Students at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) have been blocked from enrolling in new classes because of “sponsor debt” – meaning the government hasn’t paid past fees.
- Other universities, like the University of Melbourne, have sent warning letters and put sanctions on students, even though the delay is not the students’ fault.
Many students can’t see their exam results, rent houses, or even buy food properly. Some are struggling with anxiety and depression because of the uncertainty. Families in the Maldives are borrowing money or selling things to help their children survive.Why Is the Money Not Being Sent on Time?The Maldives is short of US dollars, and the government has many bills to pay.
The problem is also about wrong priorities:
- In the 2025 budget, education got some money, but much less compared to other areas.
- For example, infrastructure (roads, airports, etc.) and housing projects received billions of rufiyaa.
- Defense and security spending is increasing a lot – planned to reach around MVR 2,800 million in 2026.
- Travel expenses for officials are budgeted at hundreds of millions, while student payments are delayed.
- Debt repayments take a big share of the budget, leaving little for urgent needs like student fees.
People on social media and in parliament are asking why the government spends quickly on big projects and official trips but leaves students suffering abroad. What Students and Others Are Saying Many students and activists are sharing their stories online. They say this is not just a small delay – it’s a serious failure that is hurting the future of young Maldivians. Some worry that universities in Australia and other countries will stop trusting the Maldivian government as a sponsor.
There are also complaints that some students with connections to powerful people get their payments faster, while others wait for months. What the Government Says The government admits there are dollar shortages and internal delays. They say they are working on solutions, but no clear timeline has been given for when all payments will be cleared. Looking Ahead This crisis is still ongoing as of December 23, 2025. Without quick action to pay the overdue fees and improve the system, more students will suffer, and the Maldives’ reputation for supporting education abroad could be damaged for a long time. Education is important for the country’s future, and many hope the government will make it a real priority soon.
