A team from the STUDENTS LOAN TRUST FUND made up of the Ag. CEO, Loan Disbursement Manager, Public Relations Officer, Zonal Officers whose jurisdictions the tour cover will be visiting the Colleges of Education (CoEs) and other Tertiary Institutions in the Upper East, Northern, Brong-Ahafo and Ashanti regions from May 17, 2014 to May 30, 2014.
The Main objectives of the visit include:
- To increase awareness on the availability of the loan to support tertiary education.
- Provide answers to questions on the loans
- Reduce the myth about taking students loans
- Establish one-stop loan clinics to register applicants immediately
- Resolve outstanding challenges with existing applicants, and
- Promote stronger ties with the authorities of the various tertiary institutions.
Whiles in these regions, the team will be hosted on popular, local radio stations. This offer will create an avenue to reach out to the parents / guardians as well as provide information on the availability of the loan to support their wards in tertiary institutions.
Loan reforms to increase accessibility
- 1 Guarantor instead of 3
- Must have contributed to SSNIT pension scheme for at least 36 months or 3 years cumulative instead of the 5yrs minimum or 60 months.
- Diversified Guarantors (Religious bodies, MMDA, Corporate bodies)
- For SSNIT Contributor acting as Guarantors for their biological children there is no limit to number of children they can guarantee for.
- Instant Cash on your e-zwich card
- There is a protection scheme for loans in case of death or total permanent incapacitation.
- Instead of a fixed sum, now loan amount is linked to applicant’s socio-economic background (Means Testing Instrument)
Benefits of the student’s loan
- The biggest benefit of students’ loan is that it gives you a way to pay for your education even if you come from a low-income household. Tertiary education will increase your earning and hence makes the repayment burden less.
- Financial burden on parents is reduced. Students become more conscious and responsible about their studies.
- Student’s loans are flexible and allow for long repayment period at comparatively lower interest rates over the lifespan of the loan as compared to commercial loans.
- Student’s loan is designed to help students pay for university tuition, books, and living expenses.
Competitive advantages over other forms of loan
- 2 years repayment holiday offered after graduation.
- You can pay it all off at any time or repay over a period of up to ten (10) years depending on the number of years taken.
- Loan written off in the event of death or total permanent incapacitation if not in default.
- There is no limit on the number of children a parent can guarantee for
- No account required
- No collateral required
- Instant SMS alert and instant cash availability on e-zwich card
- All round ability to access statement on the net using ones SSNIT Number.
Challenges to accessing the loan
1) First Time Applicant
- School List which is hinged on early registration at one’s tertiary institution
- Inconsistence in name as per school list vis-a-vis name used on loan application form, and the e-zwich.
2) Continuing Students
- School List which is hinged on early registration
- Notification of relevant changes, example change in programme, institution, etc.
