If I get a 50% scholarship, can I take a student loan for the remaining fees in UAE?
Yes, you can take a student loan in the UAE to cover the remaining 50 percent of your tuition, usually through a commercial bank such as Emirates NBD, ADCB, or FAB rather than a government scheme. Banks typically want you or a parent showing AED 5,000 to 10,000 monthly income.
If a scholarship covers half your tuition in the UAE, you can absolutely borrow the rest, since financing here runs through commercial banks and university payment plans rather than a government loan scheme. What you qualify for mostly depends on whether you or a parent can show steady income.
Your Options For Covering The Remaining 50 Percent
| Option | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Bank education loan (Emirates NBD, ADCB, FAB) | Covers a high share of fees, some plans up to 125 percent of cost, but usually needs AED 5,000 to AED 10,000 monthly income from you or a co-signer |
| University payment plan | Interest-free instalments spread across the semester or month, arranged directly with the finance office |
Before You Apply For The Loan
- Check with your university's finance office first for an interest-free instalment plan.
- If you have no independent income, a parent or guardian will need to apply as the borrower.
- Confirm valid UAE residency status, since most banks require it for eligibility.
My Advice
Before you approach a bank, ask your university in writing whether they offer an interest-free instalment plan for the remaining 50 percent, since that route often costs you nothing extra compared with bank loan interest, and bring both options to your counsellor so we can compare the real cost side by side.
Will you qualify for a UAE education loan?
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