Higher Education Minister Dr.Ibrahim Hassan has stated that their estimates show that it will cost 156 million to provide degree courses for free for this year and they have secured financing for the program. 

Speaking to the press the minister said that he does not want the youth of Maldives not to be able to continue their studies due to lack of funds. 

“We estimate that 60% of the fund will be spent on tuition fees of private colleges and the remaining will be on state owned institution” said the minister. 

Dr.Ibrahim Hassan said that they expect around 10,000 students to apply for courses and those who want to study at MNU and IUM will not have to pay any fees. In addition he said that the government will cover a large part of the fees for private colleges as well.