Scholarship scheme for undergraduates launched

A scholarship scheme for undergraduates was launched yesterday by the Education Minister.

The Malta Government Scholarship Scheme - Undergraduate Courses (MGSS-UG) provides scholarships to students reading for a first Bachelor or Honours degree, starting in October.

Up to 150 scholarships are available for the highest achieving applicants opting to continue their studies in private tuition centres on the island.

Each scholarship will award students Lm760 in their first year - including Lm400 on a Smart Card - and Lm560 in subsequent years of study - including Lm200 on a Smart Card - leading to an average Lm2,440 for a four-year course.

Prescribed courses, such as those in the area of science and technology, would receive an equivalent of Lm1,230 in the first year - including Lm600 on a Smart Card - and an additional Lm930 in the following years of study - including Lm300 on a Smart Card - coming up to an average of Lm4,020 over the duration of a four-year course.

Gozitan students would be eligible for an additional subsidy from the Ministry of Gozo.

The scheme will be allocating some Lm170,000 for the academic year 2007-08, and is envisaged to grow to Lm500,000 per annum by 2010, sponsoring 150 new students annually.

The scheme complements other incentives to encourage and promote more student participation at a higher level of education.

Apart from the heavy investment at Mcast and at the university, students were supported by other schemes, such as the Student Maintenance Grant Scheme, which was also being extended to St Martin's College; the Malta Government Scholarship Scheme for post-graduate studies; the Youth Specialisation Scheme and the MyPotential scheme, the minister said.

Students who choose to study through recognised private institutions would be supported during their studies.

In its initial phase, the scheme will award the top 150 applicants according to their academic merit using a point system.

The scheme will be administered by the ministry's Policy Development and Programme Implementation Directorate (tel. 2598 2501, e-mail: mgssug-meye@gov.mt).

Students can apply on forms which are available from the ministry's customer care office. Downloadable forms are available from http://www.education.gov.mt/mgss_ug.htm.

Students can submit their application online. Applications close on September 4 at noon.