HELB Issues 21 Day Notice to Students Over The New Funding Model
HELB, the Higher Education Loans Board, has issued a 21-day notice for university students to contest the new funding model that has been resulting in discontent among numerous students.
The appeal window commenced on April 1, 2025, and will last for three weeks, providing students with the opportunity to express their concerns and opinions regarding the model.
This new funding model, referred to as the Variable Scholarship Loan Funding Model, categorizes students into five financial bands according to their needs.
The initial band, Band 1, is designated for the most disadvantaged students, while Band 5 is for those with minimal financial need.
The government implemented this model intending to ensure that financial support is allocated to students who require it the most. Nonetheless, a considerable number of students have contended that the system is inequitable.
They assert that it fails to account for all aspects of their financial circumstances, which has resulted in protests and widespread grievances.
To tackle these issues, HELB and the Universities Fund (UF) conducted a public consultation process from April 1 to April 4, 2025.
Throughout this timeframe, students and other stakeholders were encouraged to express their views concerning the funding system.
The consultation enabled students to present comments, recommendations, and complaints both online and at various venues, including public universities nationwide.
This public engagement effort aimed to collect feedback from as many individuals as possible to enhance the funding model and the scholarship and loan appeals process.
HELB has indicated that the input from the public consultation has resulted in enhancements to the appeals system. This encompasses modifications to render the process fairer and more efficient for students.
With this 21-day appeal timeframe, students who believe their issues were not addressed during the consultation can now officially present their grievances or proposals to HELB.
The expectation is that by allowing students to voice their opinions, the funding system can be modified to more effectively cater to the needs of all students.
This public consultation and the appeal period were initiated following a court mandate. The Court of Appeal had previously stayed a High Court decision that deemed the funding model unconstitutional.
The court permitted the government to persist in utilizing the funding system while legal challenges are still being resolved. Consequently, the current funding model remains effective, though it may be altered depending on the outcome of the ongoing court proceedings.
At present, HELB has affirmed that the 21-day appeal period will stay open and that students should seize this chance to voice their concerns.
Based on how the court case unfolds, there could be additional modifications to the funding model in the future.
The government has expressed that it is amenable to changes, but those adjustments will rely on the feedback collected and the determinations made by the court.
In the meantime, students are still expressing their frustrations regarding the funding structure, with numerous individuals believing that the categorization into financial bands is inequitable and fails to truly represent their genuine need for financial assistance.
With the appeal procedure currently available, students are urged to provide their feedback with the expectation of witnessing a more equitable and inclusive funding framework that more effectively aids all students in need.