UAE scholarship rules: 15 grounds for cancellation under new regulatory framework

Cancellation grounds

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has established comprehensive regulations governing the National Scholarship Programme, outlining 15 specific grounds for scholarship cancellation, seven cases for suspending financial allowances and 11 violations that could trigger disciplinary action against recipients.

The regulatory framework, detailed in Ministerial Resolution No. (179) of 2026, applies to 596 Emirati students currently studying at leading universities across 22 countries. The ministry received 2,767 scholarship applications during 2026, awarding 244 scholarships so far this year, making the programme highly competitive.

According to the ministry's Scholarship Student Guide, scholarships may be cancelled if students breach their scholarship agreement or fail to activate their funding within three months of signing. Poor academic performance resulting in a third and final warning also triggers cancellation, as does discontinuing studies for a month or more without an accepted reason.

Educational institutions that expel students will similarly result in scholarship termination. Students who fail to reactivate a frozen scholarship within the permitted timeframe or exceed their approved study period face the same consequence.

Employment represents another sensitive area. Students taking up work inside or outside the UAE without prior written ministry approval risk losing their scholarships entirely. The monthly stipend of Dh5,000 that recipients receive makes these allowances a significant benefit to protect.

Behaviour violations carry serious consequences. Actions that harm the UAE's reputation or interests, joining organisations deemed harmful to national interests, or receiving another scholarship all constitute grounds for cancellation.

Academic fraud proves particularly serious. Providing forged or falsified academic documents, having study or residence permits cancelled, certain court judgments, or certified medical reports showing inability to continue studies can all end scholarship funding.

Academic violations and disciplinary measures

The ministry has identified 11 specific academic and administrative violations subject to disciplinary action. These include changing degree programmes, specialisations or educational institutions without approval, exceeding permitted absence limits, and withdrawing from courses without permission.

Grade requirements remain strict. Undergraduate students whose semester GPA falls below 2.0, or postgraduate students dropping below 3.0, face potential action. Studying through distance learning or non-traditional methods without approval also violates programme rules.

Financial allowance suspension

Seven circumstances can trigger suspension of financial payments. Students failing to register full-time or provide proof of semester registration will have allowances stopped. Discontinuing or withdrawing from studies without approval, exceeding graduation timelines without official extension, or during frozen study periods all halt payments.

For employed scholarship recipients, allowances may be suspended if their approved educational leave expires without employer extension.

Recovery of funds

The ministry reserves the right to recover already-paid allowances, tuition fees and benefits in seven situations. These include withdrawal without accepted reasons, repeated academic failure, breaching scholarship conditions, and unauthorised absence or discontinuation.

Students receiving financial assistance from other entities without approval, failing to complete agreed service periods in the UAE after graduation, or receiving allowances to which they were not legally entitled may be required to repay all funds received.

Programme investment and priorities

The regulatory framework protects substantial government investment in national talent development. In 2024, the UAE government allocated over Dh1.2 billion to scholarship initiatives aligned with the country's 'We the UAE 2031' Vision goals. The ministry recently boosted funding for scholarship recipients by 50 percent as part of broader reforms tied to national development priorities.

The programme targets fields aligned with national priorities and labour market needs, including artificial intelligence and data science, advanced engineering, renewable energy and health sciences, as well as business, economics and social sciences. The ministry has signed agreements with 11 national organisations to provide 160 additional scholarship opportunities in these priority fields, linking students with future career opportunities.

Since the beginning of 2026, 116 scholarship recipients have graduated from the programme, demonstrating its continued success in developing qualified national talent. Across the broader UAE scholarship landscape, government, private and institutional programmes now offer more than 10,000 scholarships annually to Emirati and expatriate students.