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Students’ Loan Bureau opens Information Hub at NCU

Published:Friday | June 7, 2024 | 12:06 AM
Nickeisha Walsh, executive director of the Students’ Loan Bureau (SLB), and Professor Lincoln Edwards, president of Northern Caribbean University, cut the ribbon to open the first SLB Information Hub in Jamaica on Tuesday, June 5.
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Nickeisha Walsh, executive director of the Students’ Loan Bureau (SLB), and Professor Lincoln Edwards, president of Northern Caribbean University, cut the ribbon to open the first SLB Information Hub in Jamaica on Tuesday, June 5.

The Students’ Loan Bureau (SLB) on Tuesday launched its first Information Hub at Northern Caribbean University (NCU) in Mandeville.

Speaking at the inauguration, SLB Executive Director Nickeisha Walsh said this “strategic choice underscores the bureau’s dedication to supporting this esteemed partner and student body, setting a precedent for other institutions”.

Walsh said the SLB Information Hub will provide a range of services including personalised loan counselling, assistance with loan applications, and guidance on repayment options. She pointed out that the inauguration of the SLB Information Hub at NCU is expected to enhance the overall student experience by alleviating financial concerns, thereby allowing students to focus more on their studies and personal development.

“It represents a forward-thinking approach to student support services and a model that can be replicated at other approved tertiary institutions to foster a more supportive educational environment,” the SLB executive director told the gathering at Mandeville-based institution.

She also announced the opening of the new loan application period for 2025 and the implementation of the “no guarantor policy” in force since April 2024.

In his remarks, NCU president, Professor Lincoln Edwards, said the partnership being formalised between both entities is “borne out of a shared commitment to enhancing the welfare of the Jamaican student [and] I want to thank the leadership and team members of SLB for the reliable support and services provided to our students over many years”.

Professor Edwards also commended the Government for taking the bipartisan decision to remove the requirement for guarantors to access SLB funding. He urged students across Jamaica to take advantage of the SLB funding options to secure tertiary education at NCU which builds character, creativity and competence. Professor Edwards also pointed to NCU’s early beginning as an institution that provided opportunities for people from low-income circumstances to pursue tertiary education.