THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE STUDENT Loan Bureau (SLB) is known for its contribution towards the educational growth and development of less fortunate students. The reality is, however, that those students who should benefit from the programme are constantly being harassed by the Student Loan Bureau.
Persons who are "financially better off" tend to get loans without hassle whereas the less fortunate must go through all kinds of humiliating circumstances only to be told at the end of the day that they don't care where you get funds to pursue your goal.
The most recent "hassle" is the Bureau's requirement that applicants for the academic period 2004-2005 make payments on existing loans "or your application" cannot be accepted. Additionally, there is a requirement that students pay for life insurance on the application.
In addition there are numerous service charges and varying interest rates associated with these loans that the Student Loan Bureau offers, and one has to wonder if the organisation is really operating in the interest of the students.
Any attempt to plead your case to a representative is like going through a brick wall.
The problem is not that students are wilfully neglecting their obligations, the fact is that the majority of us are still in school. We are not working and whereas relatives are kind enough to offer shelter, they cannot afford to offer financial assistance.
Sending bailiffs out to guarantors to confiscate property will amount to a deprivation of livelihood and subsequent threat to the lives of students.
We are living in serious times and I want the bureau to bear this in mind.
I am, etc.,
DELORIS THOMPSON
deloris_thompson
@hotmail.com
958 Kirkbride Avenue
Cumberland,
Gregory Park P.O.
St. Catherine
Via Go-Jamaica
