May 5, 2005

Dear Omani Students,

We have been receiving many inquiries from students about retroactive payments of allowances that have been revised as per the amendments in the regulating bylaws of the Scholarship Law, specifically about the project allowance.

In this regard, we requested written legal advice from the Ministry of Higher Education. Accordingly, the legal department advised that project allowance payment based on the new schedule should be in effect starting February 1, 2003 when the law was announced in the official gazette. Any scholar who received the project allowance before that date is not eligible to receive the difference to the new rate.

We also received many requests for payment of the summer allowance in advance. The rule for continuing students is to submit their spring term transcript, if possible, or proof that they requested their spring term transcripts and a study plan for the remaining duration of their scholarship to be forwarded to the Cultural Division. Those who are graduating any time should submit a completion letter from their school upon which eligibility for one-month allowance after graduation will be determined as per article (31) of the regulating bylaws of the Scholarship Law.

We want all of you to rest assure that the Cultural Division staff are trying very hard to accommodate each of you. Unfortunately, we all have to follow the rules and regulations that govern these payments. So please do not waste your time and distract your attention from your final exams trying to request things that are beyond our abilities and control.

With best regards,

Dr. Talib I. Al Salmi

The Cultural Attaché