Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)

The students did not attend classes this morning. They staged a peaceful protest within their school premises calling on the government to explain why only a few applications of students were considered for the Higher Education Loan Program, or HELP.

According to the students, only three out of the seven courses offered by the school were considered for the loan program. From the 600 students of these three courses, only 150 applications were approved.

Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) secretary, Fr Jan Czuba, said the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) will come into being, whilst at the same time they are working on a program of digitalisation that will ultimately see the introduction of i-Libraries to all higher education institutions. 

Prime Minister James Marape clarified this misconception in a public statement on Monday.

He said H-E-L-P is a facility made available by the government for students who need help to pay tuition fees this year and onwards.

The HECAS and AES students will continue to receive this government incentive, while HELP is intended for the many students who remain outside of this formal government assistance.

Also, there is no limit to the repayment time, nor interest for the HELP assistance.

This is to commence in the second semester of 2020.

The objective of the Higher Education Loan Program is to assist as many students as possible to gain entry to universities and colleges offering high quality education, and helping students to succeed.

This concept will provide support for multiple years of study as long as students continue to meet the required academic/non-academic criteria.

As of May 2020, the Tertiary Education Study Assistance Scheme or TESAS will be ceased and the HELP financing will commence.