Questions surround SLB revised loan policy

There are questions about aspects of  the revised loan policy of  the Students' Loan Bureau, SLB.The Bureau on Wednesday announced longer repayment periods for loans disbursed starting the next academic year.
     
The move is aimed at easing the burden on beneficiaries.
But while welcoming the changes some university students say they need more information.
     
President of  the UTECH Students' Union, Jheanell Johnson, has called for details on the interest rate that will be applied to loans given the extended repayment periods.
Meanwhile, President of  the UWI Guild of  Students, Stephanie Abrahams, has concerns about the number of  guarantors required for SLB loans. And university groups are calling for the Government to reinstate student representatives on the board of  the SLB.
     
They say this will ensure that students' interests are protected when decisions are being made.A new SLB board was appointed last year, and although it included officials of  the UWI and UTECH, there were no student representatives.
     
President of  the UTECH Students' Union, Jheanell Johnson, argues that as part of  the reform process, tertiary students should be included among the slate of  SLB directors.