Iran Launches New Student Loan Program with Enhanced Housing Support
Tehran – In a significant move to bolster student welfare, the Iranian government has announced the commencement of registration for a new round of student loans, featuring substantially increased support for housing deposits, particularly for married students.
The announcement was made by Shapour Rezazadeh, the head of the Student Welfare Fund, during a meeting with student managers. The comprehensive loan package is designed to alleviate financial pressures on the student population and is divided into three distinct categories: tuition fees, housing deposits, and essential living costs.
Key Features of the Loan Package
According to Rezazadeh, the tuition loans have been set at 5 million Tomans for undergraduate students, 7.5 million for Master’s degree candidates, and 10 million for Doctoral students. Notably, these amounts are doubled for married students, reflecting a policy focus on supporting family formation within the academic community.
A central highlight of the new program is the significant enhancement of the housing deposit facility. This support is tiered based on location to address varying living costs across the country:
- Tehran Province: Students residing in the capital are eligible for a 200 million Toman housing deposit loan.
- Other Major Cities: For cities with a population exceeding 500,000, the loan amount is set at 150 million Tomans.
- All Other Cities: Students in smaller cities can access a 100 million Toman loan for their housing deposit.
Furthermore, a separate “essential needs” loan of 10 million Tomans is available to all students to cover unforeseen expenses.
Streamlined Access and Dormitory Upgrades
Recognizing that some students face challenges in providing formal guarantees, Rezazadeh emphasized that new measures have been put in place to facilitate and simplify the application process for all eligible individuals.
In a related development aimed at improving the overall student living experience, Rezazadeh also revealed that contracts have been finalized with 75 universities across the nation for the repair and refurbishment of student dormitories. This initiative will be funded through a 50-50 cost-sharing agreement between the respective universities and the Student Welfare Fund.
This comprehensive financial support package underscores the ongoing commitment to investing in the nation’s youth and ensuring that students can pursue their academic goals with greater financial security. Registration for the loans is scheduled to open at the beginning of the upcoming week.