Students in Albania will be able to benefit from a loan without collateral and will be able to repay it after completing their studies.

The purpose of the loan is to cover the costs of living as well as the study fee.

Not all students are eligible for student loans. They must fulfill certain criteria, such as citizenship and residence, which must be in Albania. Students who have chosen a priority branch, have good results the year before, whether matriculation or university year, and the smaller the amount of the loan, the more advantaged it is to get it.

“The loan repayment obligation starts after three years when they are from the first cycle, after two years when they are from the second cycle and after 5 years for integrated programs”, says Ledina Merkaj, director of the National Agency for Financing Higher Education.

Not everyone can get a student loan. Those students who are recipients of scholarships are excluded.

“The scholarship in Albania reaches the value of 100 thousand old leks and it is impossible to leave the costs of living in Tirana. If you receive economic aid or a scholarship, you cannot benefit”, says Gevio Tabaku, Civic Center.

For these students, it is left up to them whether they want to benefit from the loan or receive the scholarship. They are free to opt out if they require loan coverage for living costs.

The loan installments will be divided into two parts within the year and its repayment starts at the end of the studies. So far, 34 students have applied, with the University of Tirana having the highest number of applications. Applications close on March 15, and within this month applicants will receive an answer if they are a beneficiary.