The government on Friday announced a second round of financial assistance aimed at families with children pursuing post-secondary or tertiary education. This initiative is intended to provide additional support to parents of students studying full-time-or in some cases, part-time courses considered equivalent to full-time.

By the end of this week, a total of 12,180 families, covering 13,647 students, will benefit from this latest payment. The total investment stands at €6.8 million, marking a 31% increase compared to the previous allocation.

The announcement was made during a joint press conference on Friday afternoon by Minister for Social Policy and Children's Rights Michael Falzon and Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima.

Minister Falzon detailed the distribution of the grants: 10,670 families will each receive €500; 1,364 families with two eligible children will receive €1,000; 62 families will receive €1,500 for three children; four families will receive €2,000 for four children; and one family will be granted €2,500 for five children. In cases where the student is orphaned or living independently, the allowance will be paid directly to them in addition to their regular stipend. A number of pending applications are still undergoing verification and are scheduled to be paid by June 14.

"This is a government committed to providing equal opportunities for all, aiming to reduce disparities and social inequality. This scheme will help students meet their expectations and aspirations for a better quality of life," Falzon said.

Minister Grima emphasized that this support comes at crucial points in students' educational journeys, reinforcing the foundation not only of their individual futures but also that of the country.

"We have always believed in and invested in human capital-the country's greatest resource. That's why this investment begins early, during students' time at educational institutions. Over the past years, we've removed financial burdens on families by making transport, exams, and other programs free of charge, while also increasing stipends and offering scholarships and grants. We've also implemented reforms like the Prescribed and High Priority Stipend schemes at the University of Malta and MCAST. This grant is just one link in a broader chain of support," Grima said.