Government issues another \u20ac500 payment to students and families<\/p>\n
The government said that another €500 payment is being issued to post-secondary and tertiary students as part of a €1,500 allowance scheme aimed at supporting families with children continuing their education full-time.<\/p>\n
In a statement, the Ministries for Social Policy and Children’s Rights and for Education said the government has invested a further €8 million in young people through the allowance scheme, which was introduced two years ago to assist parents whose children continue studying at post-secondary or tertiary level.<\/p>\n
The €1,500 allowance is split into three €500 payments and is available to students who are aged between 16 and 21 at the start of the scholastic year.<\/p>\n
Students following part-time courses that are considered equivalent to full-time studies are also eligible.<\/p>\n
The ministries said the latest payment started being issued over recent days and is being granted in addition to the stipend students already receive.<\/p>\n
The allowance is paid automatically without the need for an application.<\/p>\n
Social Policy Minister Michael Falzon said around 13,500 families will benefit from the payments.<\/p>\n
“We truly believe in education. Our word is a contract, and therefore we will continue giving all students the best possible future,” Falzon said.<\/p>\n
Education Minister Clifton Grima said the government believes that human resources are the country’s greatest asset and stressed the importance of continuing to invest directly in students throughout their educational journey.<\/p>\n
Grima referred to support measures introduced in recent years, including free transport, free examinations and other programmes, increased stipends and additional incentives aimed at easing financial burdens on families.<\/p>\n
The ministries also said that a further 726 families this week are receiving another €500 Digital Grant for students aged 10 and 11.<\/p>\n
These families had not yet received the grant and now join 7,485 other families who already benefited in recent weeks.<\/p>\n
In total, nearly 8,500 students benefited from the digital grant scheme, the statement said.<\/p>\n