Applications are now open for Sri Lanka’s Interest Free Student Loans Scheme (IFSLS) 11th Intake. It supports eligible students from the 2023, 2024 and 2025 G.C.E. A/L batches to study selected full-time degree programmes at approved non-state higher education institutes.

The online application period runs from 17 August 2026 until 12:00 midnight on 27 September 2026. Applicants should read the official handbook before choosing degree programmes because entry requirements differ by course.

Who can apply for the 11th intake?

The Ministry’s minimum admission requirements state that an applicant must meet all of the following:

• Have passed the G.C.E. A/L Examination in 2023, 2024 or 2025 and been declared qualified for university entrance.
• Have at least a simple pass (S) in all three A/L subjects in one sitting, without exceeding three total A/L sittings.
• Have at least 30 marks in the Common General Test at a sitting within those three attempts. This result must be available by the interview.
• Have at least an S pass in G.C.E. A/L General English or an S pass in G.C.E. O/L English Language.
• Be 25 years old or younger on 27 September 2026.

Who may be ineligible?

The official handbook lists several exclusions. Common examples include applicants who:

• have sat the G.C.E. A/L Examination more than three times;
• are already selected or registered for an internal degree at a state university or another publicly funded degree programme;
• are registered in specified full-time programmes such as a College of Education diploma, a three-year or longer SLIATE HND, NDES at NAITA, or certain university-college diplomas;
• are already registered for a full-time degree at an institute participating in IFSLS;
• have already obtained a Bachelor’s degree or a relevant qualification covered by the scheme’s exclusions; or
• provide false information or forged documents.

Read the complete ineligibility section in the official handbook before applying.

Available study streams and institutes

The 11th intake includes selected three- and four-year degree programmes in five broad streams:

• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Management and Commerce
• Science
• Engineering and Technology
• Information and Communication Technology

The Ministry’s portal lists 16 participating institutes: SLIIT, NSBM, CINEC, SIBA, ICASL, Horizon, KIU, SLTC, SAEGIS, ESOFT, ICHEM, ICBT, BCI, NIIBS, BMS and Lyceum Campus. Only the approved programmes and locations listed in the current handbook are covered.

How much can students borrow?

The maximum course-fee loan depends on the study stream, degree type and duration.

The bank pays the semester course fee directly to the relevant institute following the Ministry’s recommendation. The full course-fee loan is not paid to the student.

Optional stipend loan

Selected students may also request an interest-free stipend loan for additional expenses:

• up to Rs.300,000 for a four-year programme; or
• up to Rs.225,000 for a three-year programme.

The stipend is paid quarterly at Rs.18,750, equivalent to Rs.6,250 per month, and is added to the amount the student must repay.

Repayment conditions

• The total loan period is 12 years.
• Students receive a one-year grace period after completing the degree.
• A four-year degree loan is repaid over seven years in 84 equal instalments.
• A three-year degree loan is repaid over eight years in 96 equal instalments.
• The Government bears the interest while the student complies with the scheme.

How to apply online

1. Open the official IFSLS registration page.
2. Select the relevant A/L examination year.
3. Enter the A/L index number, NIC or passport number, mobile number and a working email address.
4. Use the authentication details sent to the registered email to access the application.
5. Enter the required personal, educational and contact information accurately.
6. Select eligible degree programmes and arrange them in genuine preference order. Applicants may list multiple programmes but can be selected for only one.
7. Review the entire application and select Finalize before midnight on 27 September 2026.
8. Save and print the final application for the interview-document process.

Documents to prepare

The portal states that scanned originals are required before the online interview, followed by original documents for physical registration. Prepare:

• signed printed copy of the final online application;
• school-candidate certificate signed by the Principal or authorised teacher, or private-candidate certification by a Justice of the Peace or Commissioner for Oaths;
• NIC or passport;
• G.C.E. A/L and O/L certificates;
• the relevant A/L certificate if the Common General Test was passed in a different year;
• School Leaving Certificate;
• bridging-course result sheet, when applicable;
• Grama Niladhari certificate; and
• birth certificate.

Important dates

BrightNook.lk is an independent information website and is not affiliated with the Ministry or participating institutes. The official IFSLS handbook and application portal govern eligibility, selection, loan conditions and admission.