Minister: Help opens on April 27

HIGHER Education Loan Programme (Help) applications will be opened from April 27, once all internal arrangements are firmed up, says Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Minister Nick Kuman.
In a statement to Parliament yesterday, Kuman said the statutory loan allowable limits were approved by cabinet this week, which included;

• Universities – (AES) undergraduate maximum allowable is K15,000;
• Universities – undergraduate (HECAS) maximum allowable is K15,000;
• Universities – undergraduate (self and corporate sponsors) maximum is K10,000;
• Universities – postgraduate (Honours and Masters) maximum allowable is K15,000;
• Universities – Postgraduate (PhD) maximum allowable is K20,000.
• Non-universities (HECAS) maximum allowable is K10,000.
• Non-universities and others (self and co-sponsors) maximum allowable is K5,000.

Kuman said the proposed quantum of amount set is the maximum any student could apply for, based on any applicable course fees.
In the administration and disbursement of the Help, the following will apply:

• University undergraduate (residential) – K15,000 per student per annum, however, an AES student is limited to K9,240, while HECAS student is limited to K10,680;
• University undergraduate (non-residential) – K10,000 per annum;
• University post-graduate (Honors and Masters) – K15,000 per annum;
• University post-graduate PhD – K20,000 per annum;
• Non-university institutes (TESAS) – K10,000 per student per annum across the board, however, students are only restricted to K7,212 in any given year; and
• Non-universities – K5,000 per student under self-sponsorship category.

“To further clarify on the limits, those students who are on TESAS facility will only be entitled to apply for the balance of their TESAS scholarship in any band,” Kuman said.
“For example, a AES student can only apply for K9,240 whilst HECAS students only apply for K10,680 respectively.”
Kuman said TESAS would continue and complement Help.
“TESAS will be awarded to high-achieving students based on Grade Point Average (GPA) scored by students in any given academic period.
“All applicants will require NID and TIN for future monitoring of repayments.
TESAS students are eligible to apply for balance of their respective fees. Non TESAS students can also apply to Help for on their respective limits.
“All application for Help must be enrolled in an accredited high education institution. Help is interest-free loan. All applicants for Help will sign contract agreements to agree to terms and conditions.
“Help facility is optional and not mandatory for all students. To enable full disbursement of Help facility, the Government will make available appropriate funding.”