The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), Dr. Saajida Shiraz, has confirmed that SLTF recently disbursed second-semester loans to 19,703 students across 135 public and private institutions.

Speaking at the launch of the No Fee No Stress initiative, Dr. Shiraz highlighted that this marks the first time in four years the fund has paid second-semester loans.

She also revealed that first-semester loans have already been disbursed to 38,440 students across 145 institutions this academic year.

“The Student Loan Trust Fund Board this year has disbursed first-semester loans to a total of 38,440 students across 145 public and private institutions,” Dr. Shiraz stated.

“For the first time in four years, we have begun paying second-semester loans,” she continued. “Just three days ago, 19,703 students from 135 institutions received their loans.”

Acknowledging past challenges, Dr. Shiraz said, “The days when loans were approved but not disbursed, and the complacency that hindered the fund’s core mandate, are now behind us.” She confidently affirmed, “The challenges we faced in meeting our core mandate are a thing of the past.”

Dr. Shiraz also expressed profound appreciation to the GET Fund Administrator for their unwavering support. “I appreciate the GET Fund Administrator for privatizing the tertiary education reset agenda and committing the necessary funds to help SLTF meet its commitments.”

Established to expand access to higher education, the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) provides crucial financial support to students in both public and private institutions by offering loans that cover tuition fees and other educational expenses.

Over the years, SLTF has played a vital role in enabling thousands of students to afford tertiary education, thereby contributing significantly to national development through investment in human capital.