SLB Has Enough Money to Meet Demand This Year – PM

Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding announced today (May 5), that the Students Loan Bureau (SLB) has sufficient funds available to meet this year’s demand for loans.
Mr. Golding, who was making his contribution to the 2009/10 Budget Debate, in the House of Representatives, said this year, the SLB is expected to receive over 10,000 applications from students.
“There are some students who have difficulty meeting the cost of transportation, boarding and meals. This year, we will be providing $125 million to enable the Bureau to provide grants for students who are in need,” Mr. Golding said.
“It is (also) our intention to give special concessions to students pursuing studies in specific disciplines, for which a chronic shortage exists within the public sector. The initial list of disciplines to which this applies will be published shortly and relate to skills in the health and agricultural sectors, for which there is severe shortage. Starting this year, the interest rate charged on loans to students in these disciplines will be reduced from 12 per cent to 4 per cent,” he added.
Mr. Golding further noted that the 12