By Nakasia Logan
The Ministry of Finance has unveiled the criteria for the recently announced $11 billion student loan debt write-off program, providing relief to thousands of former students.
To benefit from the “Phase 1 Student Loan Write-Off Programme,” eligible applicants must complete an application form available on the Ministry of Finance’s website or through their social media pages, as well as on the University of Guyana’s Student Loan Agency page.
Applicants need to submit the completed form along with proof of identity (National ID, passport, or driver’s license), a University of Guyana diploma, certificate, or degree, an NIS contribution statement showing at least 156 contributions, and any relevant name change documents like a marriage certificate or deed poll.
These documents can be submitted to the Student Loan Agency at the UG Turkeyen Campus or emailed to studentloanagency@finance.gov.gy, with the email subject line “APPLICATION FOR STUDENT LOAN WRITE OFF.”
Eligibility requires students to have graduated from a program funded by the Student Loan Agency and to have been employed or self-employed in Guyana for at least three years, verified by the NIS contributions.
For those with multiple student loans, additional NIS contributions are required, increasing by three years per additional program.
Senior Finance Minister Ashni Singh announced the debt write-off, providing significant financial relief to many Guyanese who owe the Student Loan Agency.