DHERST Releases 2020 HELP Program Roll-out Flow Chart for Student Loans

25/05/2020 StudyInPNG Education News Comments Off on DHERST Releases 2020 HELP Program Roll-out Flow Chart for Student Loans

Prime Minister Launches HELP Initiative of Government.

The  Friday May 15th, 2020 marked a significant milestone for Higher and Technical Education in Papua New Guinea with the launch of the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) by Prime Minister Hon.James Marape, MP and Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Hon.Nick Kuman, MP.

The HELP is an initiative  of the National Government of Papua New Guinea aiming to facilitate access to quality tertiary education. It aims to address the increasing number of  students unable to access post-secondary education due to a lack of financial resources. It will provide for all eligible higher education students an income contingent loan with a zero-based interest and the loan balances adjusted annually for inflation while offering flexible loan repayments commencing on productive employment.

HELP Delivery Method.

HELP’s financial component will be delivered as a student-loan program, injected into registered Higher Education Institute (HEIs) to support students learning, teaching, and research fees in accordance with the Funding Agreement between HEIs and the Department of Higher Education, Research Science and Technology (DHERST). The Tertiary Education Scholarship Academic Scheme (TESAS) , which is a scholarship awarded on academic merit will also continue in 2020 complementing HELP.

HELP Viability

HELP is an economically viable initiative utilizing loan, investment and endowment Fund structures to build and maintain the ongoing operations of HELP and the sustainable provision of future loans to a growing number of students.

HELP Student  Eligibility Requirements.

The fundamental eligibility requirements for HELP is that students to be enrolled in a university or a college that is registered and the academic programs they are studying have been reviewed and are accredited.

HELP Application Eligibility for Undergraduate Students.

  • Papua New Guinea citizen;
  • Applicant is a current enrolled students at a DHERST registered HEI
  • Applicant is a current enrolled student in a DHERST registered provider;
  • Applicant is undertaking an accredited academic program; and
  • HEI has signed Higher Education Student Support Institutional Participation and Funding Agreement.

HELP is an inclusive initiative and will also extend to those students self-sponsored. The program also embraces students who have not completed secondary studies and wish to further their education in a registered higher education institution.

Following the launching on Friday 15th May 2020, DHERST would like to advise tertiary undergraduate students and student data officers (SDO) in participating HEIs institutions online accounts have been created. Students from participating HEI’s can consult the institution on June 1st, 2020 to receive their creditials.

HELP for Masters and PhD Programs.

HELP will also be available for PhD, Masters and other Post Graduate programs, meeting the Government’s goal in providing a full range of quality education at the post-secondary level supporting the achievement of Papua New Guinea’s social and economic goals.

The Government is firmly committed to the principle of equality of access to education, as a fundamental right and will ensure that no aspiring eligible post-secondary student is left-behind.

HELP Support Organizations

On behalf of the DHERST, I would like to take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to:

 

For their continual support, collegiality and collaboration. We wish you many God’s blessings.

Professor Fr.Jan Czuba

Secretary for DHERST

Declaimer: This  post an extract of DHERST  Public media press release- Friday 22nd May 2020.