INTEREST FREE LOAN SCHEME

The Budget Proposal 2017 suggested to provide opportunities to students who are qualified in G.C.E. (A/L) but miss out university entrance. Therefore, according to the Budget Proposal of 2017 under the student loan scheme a maximum loan amount Rs. 800,000.00 for the entire course of study, (+75,000.00 for other expenses) per student provided for those who wish pursue a selected Degree program offered by ministry of Higher Education approved Non-State Higher Education Institutes.

Eligibility for selection

Minimum qualification for admission Students who sat for G.C.E. (A/L) in 2020/2021/2022 are considered as eligible under this scheme. The details shall be confirmed by the commissioner general of Examinations. Students should have obtained;
(i) At least ‘S’ grades in all three approved subjects in one and the same sitting, within a maximum of three attempts and
(ii) A minimum 30 marks for the Common General Paper in any attempt described in above (i) or re-sit for the Common General paper in 2023 obeying to the condition of the maximum three attempts

Ineligibility for selection

Applicants who belong to one or more categories mentioned below do not qualify for this program.
(i) An applicant who has fulfilled the minimum qualification only at the fourth or higher attempt of the G.C.E. (A/L) examination in year 2020/2021/2022.
(ii) An applicant who has been already selected for free education as an internal student to follow a first degree at a State University governed by the University grants commission under theUniversity Act No. 16 of 1978 based on the examination results considered for the program. i.e. G.C.E. (A/L) examination held in 2020/2021/2022.
(iii) As applicant who has been already selected for free education as an internal student to follow a first degree in a State higher educational institute established under any other Acts of Parliament of Sri lanka based on the examination results considered for this program. i.e. G.C.E.(A/L) examination held in 2020/2021/2022.
(iv) An applicant who has been already selected for the education as an internal student in a College of Education under the Ministry of Education.
(v) An applicant who has been already selected for full time course of study of three-year duration or more at Institute of Sri Lanka Advanced Technological Education (SLIATE) or Institute of Engineering Technology (IET) of the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority(NAITA)
(vi) An applicant who is/was registered as an internal student to follow a first-degree course in a state university or higher education institute mentioned in above ‘ii’, ’iii’ and ‘iv’ or follow a three or more year courses at any institute mention in above ‘v’.
(vii) An applicant who is/was selected/registered for any other degree program financed fully or partly by public funds.
(viii) An applicant who has been already selected/registered to follow a first degree under any foreign scholarship program conducted by the Ministry of Higher Education
(ix) An applicant who is already employed.

Selection of Students and Institute

Conditions for selection (i) The students who fulfill the minimum requirement stated will be considered
(ii) Their selection will be based on the all island rank measured by the Z score
(iii) Each student will be given any number of preferences for Degree programs and institutes to apply, based on their personal interest.
(iv) The highest priority will be given to the first preference of the program of the applicant.
(v) The selection of the institute will be based on the preference of the student and the capacity of the institutes.

Documents to be Submitted

School Candidates

All School candidates must submit the following documents during registration in order to complete the process. (i) Hard copy of the submitted application with applicant’s signature and
(ii) Duly filled “Principal’s certificate” (available to download under “print” tab) with the certification of principal/ a teacher authorized by the principal and
(iii) Certified Copy of National Identify card (NIC) or passport, (principal/a teacher authorized by the Principal)
(iv) Certified Copy of G.C.E. O/L Certificate.(Principal/ a teacher authorized by the Principal)
(v) Original School Leaving Certificate.

Private Candidates

All private candidates must submit the following documents during registration in order to complete the process. (i) Hard copy of the submitted application with applicant’s signature and
(ii) Duly filled “Attestation” Certified by Justice of Peace / Commissioner for Oaths with signature, Date and the official frank and
(iii) Certified Copy of National Identify Card (NIC)or Passport. (Justice of Peace/ Commissioner for Oaths)
(iv) Certified Copy of G.C.E. O/L Certificate.(Justice of Peace/ Commissioner for Oaths)
(v) Original School Leaving Certificate.

Courses that can be studied under Student Loan Scheme

Courses that can be followed under Student Loan Scheme at non-state higher education institutes have been categorized in to five (05) subject streams.

1. Humanities and Social Sciences
2. Commerce
3. Biological Science
4. Engineering & Technology
5. Information and Communication Technology