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
