Over 7 000 additional grants for excellent students

ASTANA. March 19. KAZINFORM /Bauyrzhan Mukanov/ 7 467 students have been provided with additional educational grants for excellent study to date, Minister of Education and Science Zhansseit Tuimebayev has said at an enlarged sitting of the Ministry?s board today.

?120 universities have already submitted the documents of 7 973 students ? candidates for additional grants?, Z. Tuimebayev said. In accordance with the Government?s resolution 11 500 grants have been provided for undergraduate and graduate students of state and private universities studying on a fee-paying basis. Over KZT 3.5 bln funds have been directed to it. Since March 1 the Ministry of Education and Science together with SamrukKazyna National Welfare Fund have launched a soft credit line for the students from low-income families for excellent and good study. It should be noted these loans will be provided only for the students of technical and medical specialties. In whole the country numbers over 633 000 students. The number of grants allotted for higher education in 2008-2009 academic year comprised 33 490 and exceeded the last year index by 1000.