Requisites

You can qualify for a soft loan under the Youth Specialisation Studies Scheme (YSSS) if you are a Maltese national aged between 18 and 30 years and:-

• interested in furthering your studies abroad, including post-graduate, provided that the course of study is not available in Malta; or
  
• want to take up a distance learning course provided that the course is not available in Malta.

Preference will be given to those students wishing to carry out or further their studies in the following areas:

• Medical Studies
• Veterinary Studies
• Biotechnology
• Pharmaceutical
• Engineering
• Electronics
• Telecommunications & Film Industry
• Automotive
• Software Industry (IT)
• Agriculture & Marine Studies

Benefits

Applicants may apply for a soft loan under the YSSS under the following conditions:

• A minimum amount of €11,646.87 (Lm5,000) in the case of students pursuing full-time courses and €9,317.50 (Lm4,000) in case of distance learning courses. In both cases, the maximum amount will not exceed €23,293.73 (Lm10,000);
  
• A loan repayment term of ten years, including a maximum holiday on capital repayments of five years, dpending on the duration of the academic course to be followed;
  
• An interest rate margin of 1.75% over the Bank's Base Rate;
  
• Minimal security will be requested;
  
• No processing fees;
  
• No early repayment fees.

Assessment

An assessment will be carried out to evaluate:

• the proven ability of the individual concerned;
  
• the individual's future potential, based on the applicant's past performance, to achieve the projected goal,
  
• the overall benefit to the country of the particular area of specialization to be undertaken by the applicant.

Documentation Required

• Detailed curriculum vitae;
• Copies of qualifications;
• Course curriculum;
• Explain how your future career plans will benefit from this course;
• Letter of acceptance from the relevant institute or university;
• Letter of reference on applicant's character and integrity;
• Photocopy of applicant's and spouse's (if applicable) Identity card;
• Detailed breakdown of expenses: Tuition fees, subsistence, accommodation etc.
• Budget planner from: www.apsbank.com.mt
• Applicants who are or will be unemployed during the currency of their academic course, will be required to provide the Bank with the personal guarantee (on the Bank's standard form) of their parents, if single or their spouse, if married.

The application form must be submitted together with all the documents requested.

Youth Specialisation Studies Scheme
Application Form

Closing Date: Friday 13th June 2008 at 4:30pm

For more information please contact

Simon Vella Gregory
E-Mail:- simon.v.gregory@gov.mt

Mario Borg
E-Mail:- mario.p.borg@gov.mt