Student Loan And The Fate Of Direct Entry (DE) Students And National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Students

As the registration for student loan progresses, students across the federation are taking advantage of the opportunity to register for the student loan and eventually secure funding for their educational pursuits.

However, a significant concern has emerged regarding the inclusion of students from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and those that got admission through in Universities through Direct Entry (DE) in the student loan programme.

Despite occupying a large percentage of Nigerian students, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) students find themselves at a disadvantage due to procedural barriers, particularly the requirement for Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registration numbers.

The issue has sparked widespread lamentation among the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) students and Direct Entry (DE) students who argued that the inability to register for the student loan on the student loan portal effectively bars and prevents them from accessing much-needed financial support that is the student loan which is meant for all Nigerian students.

Unlike traditional universities, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) operates and runs a unique open and distance learning programme that does not require JAMB registration for admission.

Though National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) is listed as the 29th school among the one hundred and twenty six federal higher institutions to benefit from the student loan on the student loan website, the distinction has inadvertently excluded its students from participating in national student loan schemes that require JAMB numbers as a precondition for application for the student loan.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has also testified that the inability of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) to register on its student loan website is due to their inability to possess JAMB number, one of the major requirements before accessing the student loan facility.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Fund, Dr. Akintunde Sawyerr said the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has very strict criteria and guidelines and would not bend the rules for any institution or individual, no matter how highly placed.

“We have strict criteria and guidelines around how people can access this loan opportunity. All of them are non-negotiable. JAMB (number) is non- negotiable using this application process.

“Unfortunately, if an applicant hasn’t got a JAMB number, and hasn’t gone through the JAMB application process it is going to be impossible to grant that individual a loan at this stage.

“So, I urge those who can, to go and regularise their status with JAMB so that it makes it easy for them to access this opportunity. This is an equal opportunities programme. It doesn’t seek to discriminate against anybody. But it does seek to protect taxpayers’ money and protect the Fund from frivolously handing out money without being able to account for it."

As the affected students awaits a resolution, the affected students urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to revisit its student loan policies to give Direct Entry (DE) and National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) students access to the student loan website.

The students voiced their frustration over the exclusion, saying the government should work with JAMB to pave way for them to benefit from the student loans.

A National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) student studying Mass Communication, who identified himself as Collins shared his plight: “I chose NOUN because I needed the flexibility to work and study. But without financial aid, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to continue as the school fees keep on increasing. I fear I might have to drop out if things don’t change.”

Collaborating, Benjamin, a Direct Entry (DE) student in Benue, expressed his disappointment: “It’s unfair that we are left out. We are also students with dreams and aspirations. The government needs to recognise our efforts and support us.”

According LEADERSHIP newspaper reports have it, that so far, more than sixty thousand students have registered for the student loan facility, out of which more than thirty thousand successfully applied for the student loan.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) is an initiative aimed at providing financial support to students pursuing higher education in Nigeria. Here are some key aspects of the Nigerian education student loan system.

The primary goal and objective of the student loan is to make higher education more accessible to students from diverse financial backgrounds, ensuring that financial constraints, financial challenges and financial limitations do not prevent or hamper their academic pursuits or education.

The student loans are available to Nigerian students enrolled in recognized tertiary institutions, including universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. Specific eligibility criteria for the student loan may include academic performance, financial need, and other factors set by the lending institution.

Source: https://leadership.ng/student-loan-and-the-fate-of-de-noun-students/