Tuesday 19 March 2024
 
»
 
»
OIL PRICE SLUMP BITES

Saudi Arabia tightens rules for grants to study abroad

RIYADH, February 2, 2016

The Saudi Arabian government has decided on new eligibility requirements on its multi-billion dollar scholarship programme for young Saudis who study for university degrees abroad, the cabinet said on Monday.

The new rules were proposed by a council chaired by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that is reining in state spending and seeking greater efficiency in many areas to narrow a huge state budget deficit caused by low oil prices.

The cabinet's statement, carried by state news agency SPA, did not say how the changes might affect the programme's size and only spelled out some changes. But the tighter requirements look likely to bring down government spending on a programme many young Saudis have come to view as an entitlement.

For example, it said students applying for funding after enrolling in institutions abroad must be in one of the world's top 50 academic programmes in their field or top 100 universities, as determined by the Saudi Ministry of Education.

They must also maintain minimum grade point averages.

Over 207,000 students and dependents took advantage of the King Abdullah Scholarship Programme to go abroad in 2014, at a cost of some SR22.5 billion ($6 billion), according to government data.

In addition to covering the full cost of university tuition, the programme usually gives recipients a monthly stipend and pays for them to take family members abroad with them. Women who receive the awards are required to travel with a male guardian, who also receives benefits.

The statement did not make clear whether any of those benefits would be limited. – Reuters




Tags: Saudi Arabia | scholarship | oil price | education |

More Education, HR & Training Stories

calendarCalendar of Events

Ads