How to Apply for DHERST Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)

If you are a student in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and need financial assistance for your higher education, then the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) offered by the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) can be a good option for you. 

The HELP program for 2023 application will be open from 20th March 2023 to 31st October 2023. In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of applying for the HELP loan program.

Here is the latest article on the TESAS & HELP Student Loan Program

Eligibility Criteria for HELP

Before applying for the HELP program, you need to meet the following eligibility criteria:

• You must be a PNG citizen.
• You must be enrolled and registered at a Higher Education Institution (HEI) recognized by DHERST.
• The study program undertaken by the applicant is accredited by the National Higher and Technical Education Board (NHTEB) or by another authorised body.

HELP Student Loan Application Timeline

The HELP program facilitates 4 batches every year. If you do not apply or do not submit your loan application in a batch, you have the flexibility to apply in the subsequent batch. The application timeline for HELP 2023 is as follows:

Batch Application Period

• 1  20th March - 30th April
• 2 1st May - 30th June
• 3 1st July - 31st August
• 4 1st September - 31st October

The last (4th) batch and the HELP application cycle for this year will be closed as of 31st October 2023. 

DHERST will not accept any applications from students who applied and submitted the HELP after this date.

Requirements to Apply for HELP Loan

To apply for the HELP loan program, you need to fulfil the following requirements:

Signed HELP Declaration Form: Enquire about the HELP declaration form from your institution. Fill out the form and submit it to your Registrar and/or Student Data Officer with one of the mentioned ID documents.

ID Document: You need to submit any one of the following ID documents along with your HELP declaration form:

• Gr 12 certificate
• Student ID
• PNG NID/birth certificate
• Passport
• Driver's license

 

Apply for DHERST Student Loan

Your Student Data Officer (SDO) at your institution will issue HELP login credentials to you. If you have forgotten your password, you may check with your SDO to get a new one.

First-year students who had NOAS credentials from 2022 and had their enrollment status confirmed by SDO can use the same credentials to apply for HELP. The same applies to continuing students who previously applied for HELP, they can use the same credential to reapply for HELP this year.

The HELP 2023 timeline will be made available to the HEI through the Registrar's office during the registration period.

Contact DHERST

For further information, please contact the DHERST Support Service at noassupport@dherst.gov.pg.

Or visit HELP login page https://ipng.dherst.gov.pg/

The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) by DHERST is a great initiative to provide financial assistance to students who want to pursue higher education in PNG. 

If you meet the eligibility criteria and follow the application guidelines, you can apply for the HELP program and avail the benefits of the loan. 

We hope this blog post has provided you with all the necessary information to apply for the HELP program in 2023.

Note: This information appears on DHERST website.

DHERST HELP Application Form 2024 Info

Higher Education Loan Program (HELP), is the government of Papua New Guinea’s new initiative aimed at enhancing access to quality tertiary education. 

HELP addresses the increasing number of students unable to access post-secondary education due to a lack of financial resources. HELP provides all eligible higher education students with an income-contingent loan with zero-based interest. 

This new article has the latest on the DHERST Students Loan Program - Click on the link to find out about the timeline and application eligibility criteria.

Loan repayments commence once the students graduate and on the commencement of paid employment.

Here is a post about DHERST Selections that provides information for Schools Leavers and Non-School Leavers.

NEC Decision on HELP And First Batch of Students Loans.

HELP loans were first issued to eligible students on 15th May 2020, following earlier landmark policy initiatives of the Marape Government formalised in NEC Decision 179/2019.

In the short time available and given the scope and complexity of the scheme it has been a remarkable achievement in simply establishing the regulatory arrangements for the HELP  program.

DHERST acknowledges the excellent whole-of-government coordination and support received from other agencies in bringing the HELP program on stream so promptly and efficiently. 

The cross-agency support from our colleagues in Finance, Treasury, State Solicitor, First Legislative Counsel, Personnel Management and IRC; and of course, the many DHERST staff working closely with the management and staff of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and potential applicants to successfully implement the program.

2023 HELP Application Eligibility

In the second year of rollout, the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) will be available to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

To be eligible for this loan from the government, the student must:

• Be a citizen of Papua New Guinea
• Enrolled in an institution registered under DHERST
• Must study a program accredited by the National Higher and Technical Education Board (NHTEB)

The NHTEB is the accrediting body operating under the DHERST. All students applying for the HELP must meet the above requirements to proceed to the next step, which is completing the declaration form.

Digitalisation of higher education - HELP online

Enhancing the digitalization of education in the higher education sector, the HELP application is done online. 

Once the students are enrolled and declared interest in applying for HELP, further assistance can be sought from the Registrars or Student Finance Offices at their respective higher education institutions. 

Students are also advised to check for updates on the Higher Education Loan Program HELP page.

HELP Application Timeline

January –April: Declaration of forms issued by HEIs to interested tertiary students; Students sign declaration forms; Declaration forms collected.

2: May: HELP online App launched; SDO Accounts created; SDOs confirm student details

3 June: Students receive credentials; Students apply for HELP; First Semester instalments paid out.

SOURCE: DHERST Quarterly Newsletter ONLINE, December 2020, Volume 3

Recommended readings for HELP students loan

Here are past news articles and information about DHERST HELP student loan programs that you should know when applying.

• Introduction of HELP student loan, 2020
• HELP Studentships: What Are the Benefits?
• TESAS and HELP APPLICATION INFO
• How to apply for HELP Application 

Leave a comment and let us know what you think. 

Higher Education Tuitions Assistance Schemes TESAS and HELP will run simultaneously

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape says the Government has not scrapped the Higher Education Contribution Assistance Scheme (HECAS) and Academic Excellence Scholarship (AES) in favour of the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP).

CLICK HERE TO READ THE POSTS ON HELP & HECAS

He said this today when clarifying misconceptions among students and institutions that HECAS and AES had been done away with.

 “HELP is a facility made available by Marape-Steven Government for students who will need help for their tuition fees this year and beyond,” Prime Minister Marape said.

“AES students will continue to receive this Government incentive, but there are still many students who remain outside of formal Government assistance, for whom HELP is intended.

“Students who need assistance are required to present their acceptance letters at registration.

“School registrars will facilitate their enrolment with tuition fee guaranteed from the HELP scheme. 

“This is not compulsory, but for students who need a helping hand.”

Prime Minister Marape also clarified repayment time for the HELP.

“This loan scheme will not be burdensome on present student borrowers,” he said.

“It will have no time limit for repayment, is interest-free and you can take your life-time to repay. 

“It is structured in a way to give assistance but, has citizen responsibility towards repaying.

“Into the future, a correct endowment fund structure will be set up to ensure sustainability for future generations. 

“We also thinking of linking 7 per cent of National Gaming Board funds into this scheme for student assistance. 

“During the course of the academic year, working together with Census 2020, proper National Identification (NID) numbers of students will be issued.

“We will entrench this scheme for 2020 and beyond.”

Next Tuesday, Prime Minister Marape and Higher Education Minister Hon. Nick Kuman will meet all universities and college administrators to tidy up on this facility, as well as 2020 school programmes, so there are no hiccups.

“Government will work with the schools to ensure timely quarterly disbursements to schools, starting at the opening of the academic year 2020,” Prime Minister Marape said.

“I am adamant that this must happen.

“Where there is a will, there is a way.

“The rich and employed can afford school fees for their children, but what about those who can’t afford?

“This policy is for them.”

PM Marape: Government has not scrapped HECAS and AES

Approved for Release.  January 13th 2020

Source: Facebook, PM & NEC page, 14/01/2020

HELP Studentships: What Are the Benefits? Media Statement

Below is an adapted version of the media statement released by DHERST per the HELP (PNG Higher Education Loan Program) studentship load program for 2020. The original version can be found via the link provided below. 

IMAGE: DHERST Media Release

Key points about PNG Higher Education Loan Program

• HELP student loan is 'interest-free' with lenient repayment plans and schedules
• Application for HELP is online via DHERST website
• Students will begin repayments on their loan about six months after their graduation
• HELP studentships will commence during the opening of the first semester of the academic year 2020.
• You DO NOT have to get the loan if you can afford to pay higher-education fees or have secured a sponsorship.
• HELP covers a wide range of students as long as the students secured a place at a tertiary institution in the country: self-sponsored, drop-outs/self-withdrawn, selected students, post-graduate students, etc

One disparity between an NBC new article (READ IT HERE) and this press release is the difference in HELP 'commencement dates'. But, understandably the date of commencement stated by DHERST (first semester of the academic year 2020) could be considered.

HELP is 'far-reaching'

Government is committed to providing financial assistance to students this year through the innovative and far-reaching HELP program that has been carefully designed with the PNG context in mind.

Whilst we wish to reward academic excellence, it should be noted that HELP will fund those students who, for different reasons, may have not met the qualifying criteria for TESAS.

To clarify the situation, during this academic year a full awareness-raising program will be carried out across all institutions of higher learning and the public at large.

The HELP program is inclusive and will also extend to those students who are self-sponsored. 

In future years the program will embrace students who have ‘dropped-out’ for whatever reason and wish to return to further their education in either government or private higher education institutions.

Government is firmly committed to the principle of equal value in education, seeing it as a fundamental right, and will ensure that no child or student is left behind.

How to apply for HELP?

Those seeking access to HELP studentships will download and complete application forms from the DHERST website once they have enrolled with, and been accepted by, an HEI for the 2020 academic year. 

During the coming year, we will register all prospective students through the issue of National Identity Cards.

The rollout of the HELP studentships will commence during the opening of the first semester of the academic year 2020.

Many people are understandably hesitant to borrow money. Any loan is a serious commitment, and should not be entered into lightly.

Having said that, student loans are often necessary to make it possible for a young person to fulfil their university or college dreams.

HELP terms and provisions

The PNG Higher Education Loan Program (HELP), offers special terms and provisions that make them a more affordable and manageable commitment for young university or collegebound students.

Around the world, most student loans offer lower interest rates, but the PNG HELP is interest-free, provides for deferred payment options together with a repayment grace period following graduation.

Under the HELP, student borrowers can also take advantage of more lenient repayment plans and schedules that are exclusive to HELP, unlike the more restrictive terms and conditions of a standard loan.

HELP studentships offer greater flexibility and more manageable terms and conditions than standard non-education loans.

For many students, an education loan will be their first major financial transaction. While taking out a studentship may seem a daunting prospect, it is also the perfect opportunity to begin to build a solid credit history.

HELP is the beginning of many students' financial history. By keeping up to date on all university or college loan repayments a student can begin to lay the foundation of a good credit score, which will prove greatly beneficial in later life.

One of the many advantages of a HELP studentship is that the student does not need to repay before he or she graduates. The HELP scheme will allow students time to seek a job before repayments commence.

Generally speaking, students will begin repayments on their loan about six months after their graduation.

Benefits of HELP Loan

There are clearly many benefits of a HELP studentship.

Naturally, there will be students who are wealthier than others and who may not need to consider such an offer. However, for most students, a HELP studentship is a means (way) of allowing them (poor students) to concentrate on their studies rather than worrying about the source of funding for their tertiary education.

Professor Fr. Jan Czuba

Secretary DHERST

Source: DHERST, HELP Studentships: What Are the Benefits? [ORIGINAL PDF DOC] released 13th January 2020

Note: The media statement was adapted for an easy read. The signed original copy can be found via the link above. 

Recommended readings for HELP students loan

Here are past news articles and information about DHERST HELP student loan programs that you should know when applying.

• Introduction of HELP student loan, 2020
• HELP Studentships: What Are the Benefits?
• TESAS and HELP APPLICATION INFO
• How to apply for 2021 - 2022 HELP Application 

Leave a comment and let us know what you think. 

HELP: HIGHER EDUCATION LOAN PROGRAM TO BE READY IN SECOND SEMESTER 2020

The government introduced, Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) will be ready for students to apply in the Second Semester of 2020.

DHERST HELP Load Updated Info

Here are past news articles and information about DHERST HELP student loan programs that you should know when applying. Click on the links to read the latest articles about the HELP loan program.

• Introduction of HELP student loan, 2020
• HELP Studentships: What Are the Benefits?
• TESAS and HELP APPLICATION INFO
• How to apply for HELP Application 

NID & TIN required for HELP application

KEY POINTS

• DHERST will facilitate the Student Loan Scheme (HELP)
• HELP application will open from 27th April 2020
• Prerequisites for loan include National Identification Card (NID) and Tax Identification Number or (TIN)
• HELP will be the only available Students’ scholarship in the future
• Continuity of HELP per student is based on GPA
• Help is available for higher education courses, PhD, Doctoral, Masters and other postgraduate programs
• Student Application for the HELP loan is online

Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Secretary, Fr Jan Czuba in a statement says this an instruction from Prime Minister James Marape and DHERST Minister Nick Kuman.

Fr Jan Czuba said since it’s a new system being introduced; it requires some time from both the department and the students to finalise everything.

He said it also gives time to students to gather their required documents such as National Identification Card or NID) and Tax Identification Number or (TIN). These are important prerequisite requirements when submitting Applications for HELP.

HELP application will open from 27th April 2020, online via DHERST website and as notified in press and media advertising.

During the period of January to May 2020, there will be a transition from TESAS to HELP. DHERST will be working very closely with all Higher Education Institutions over the transition period to ensure that all students are well informed about HELP.

As of May 2020, TESAS awards will cease for good and HELP financing will commence. HELP will be the only available Studentship for all students for years to come.

HELP will provide student support for multiple years of study as long as students continue to meet the required academic and non-academic criteria.

HELP will also be available for PhD, Doctoral, Masters and other postgraduate programs, meeting the Government’s goal in providing a full range of quality education at the post-secondary level and beyond.

Fr Jan Czuba also announced the total amount of money each student attending tertiary institutions is eligible to apply.

“Students attending colleges and Poly-Technical colleges either public or private, as long as the colleges are registered by us and program accredited, the students will be eligible to apply K5000 per year.

“Students who are doing university level will apply for K10 000 per year.

 “Students who do Masters Degree or other Post-Graduate studies like Bachelors or Honors will apply for K15000 per year.

Students who are doing PhD or Doctorate can apply for K20 000 per year,” the Secretary outlined.

Fr Jan said, for a start, the students will receive less but as the year goes by the loan amount might increase.

“Currently we have the Students Higher Education Loan Program Handbook for students’ ready.“We have the Lease Agreement between students and Government is ready.“Now we are developing this electronic application and it should be ready soon, so students don’t have to go to the bank or come to us to get the application form.“They will go to the Website, they will download the form, fill them online and send them back to us, so the process will be very fast, said Fr Jan Czuba.

The Secretary said this will save time and cost for parents and students as everything will be done electronically.

In the meantime, Fr Jan Czuba said, those students on TESAS will continue but for self-sponsored students will have to meet their own registration fees for the first semester only.

SOURCE: NBC News | 08/01/2020 | Facebook Notes