The cost of a quality education cannot be avoided, and while some students may be financially independent, others will require support. Some institutions provide scholarships as a way to decrease this load, but not all students can be eligible for one. As an alternative, one can finance their education with student loans.
A type of financial investment known as a student loan is made to help students with their educational expenses. These necessities include tuition, literature, living costs, and materials for the classroom.
What is a Student Loan?
A student loan is intended to assist students in covering the costs of their education and related expenses. This loan varies from other types of loans in that it has a significantly more flexible repayment plan and a substantially lower interest rate.
The bill was reintroduced in 2019 and received more attention from the National Assembly in November 2022 after being first introduced by Femi Gbajabiamila, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives. Notably, this happened not long after the nation’s university workers’ union staged an eight-month strike to protest subpar working conditions and other issues.
The Fund will be financed from numerous avenues and take part in other productive endeavours in accordance with the recently established laws.
Types Of Student Loans
There are two different sorts of rates available for student loans, both of which typically have low interest rates. Fixed interest and varying interest. Variable interest rates are typically less expensive than fixed rates, but because they are based on market rates, they are subject to change. Therefore, if interest rates rise, variable interest will rise as well, and vice versa.
Contrarily, fixed interest rates do not change throughout the course of the loan unless you combine. Since you are giving up flexibility for stability, lower fixed interest rates are typically higher than the variable rates. It can be a little risky to choose the right rates.
The fixed rate is for you if you want to know how much interest you are paying on your loan.
What To Do When Applying For A Student Loan
Plan beforehand before applying for a student loan. Make sure you are aware of the amount of years the course you are taking calls for and take it into account. You should put in a lot of effort to graduate from school on time. This refers to exerting all effort within your power to avert an additional year. Without a doubt, we are aware of the effects of adding a year. Extra expenses for tuition
Consider strategies to reduce your spending as well so you can get the most out of the loan. You may, for instance, room with someone else or save your books so you can sell them when the semester is over.
Who can apply for a student loan in Nigeria?
According to the Act, once the programme is in place, only students attending government-owned tertiary institutions would be eligible for the loan.
“Subject to the provisions of any other enactment, all students seeking higher education in any public institution of higher learning in Nigeria shall have equal right to access the loans under this Act without any discrimination arising from gender, religion, tribe, position, or disability of any kind,” Section 2 states.
“Institutions of higher learning” are defined in Section 23 of the Act to include government-established public universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and vocational schools.
An applicant’s or their family’s annual income must be less than N500,000 in order to qualify for the loan.