Title: Iran Launches New Phase of Comprehensive Student Support Loans for Academic Year
In a significant move to bolster higher education support, the Iranian Student Welfare Fund has announced the commencement of registration for a new round of student loans, set to begin next week. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring students can focus on their academic pursuits without financial hindrance.
Loan Registration Opens
According to Shapour Rezazadeh, Head of the Student Welfare Fund, the application process for three distinct loan categories—tuition, housing deposit, and emergency assistance—will be activated at the start of the upcoming week. This structured financial support system is a key component of the nation’s broader educational strategy.
Detailed Breakdown of Financial Aid
The loans are tailored to meet the diverse needs of the student population across different academic levels and personal circumstances.
- Tuition Loans: Financial assistance varies by degree level. Undergraduate students are eligible for 5 million Tomans, Master’s students for 7.5 million Tomans, and Doctoral candidates for 10 million Tomans. Notably, married students will receive double these amounts, reflecting the system’s responsiveness to family needs.
- Housing Deposit Facilities: Aimed primarily at married students, this support is tiered based on location to account for varying living costs.
- Students in Tehran province can access 200 million Tomans.
- For other major cities with populations exceeding 500,000, the facility is set at 150 million Tomans.
- In smaller cities, students are eligible for 100 million Tomans.
- Emergency Loans: A sum of 10 million Tomans is allocated per student for unforeseen essential expenses, providing a crucial safety net.
Streamlined Access and Broader Infrastructure Investment
Rezazadeh highlighted that procedural barriers have been addressed, with new measures implemented to simplify the notarial commitment process that had previously posed challenges for some applicants.
Beyond direct student loans, the government is concurrently investing in educational infrastructure. The Student Welfare Fund has formalized agreements with 75 universities across the country for the repair and equipment of student dormitories. This project will be funded through a 50-50 cost-sharing model between the universities and the Fund, ensuring improved living conditions for the student community.
This comprehensive package of financial and infrastructural support demonstrates a multi-faceted approach to empowering students and strengthening the foundations of Iran’s higher education system.