More than 4,600 university students appeal funding allocations ahead of deadline
"Previously, students were required to give only one reason for their appeal. Now, they can submit multiple reasons," Monari said
Over 4,600 university students are contesting their funding allocations under the new university financing model, according to data from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
As of Thursday, a total of 4,621 appeals had been filed, following the reopening of the appeals portal on April 1, as instructed by the Court of Appeal.
The deadline for these appeals is set for April 21, giving students just a few days to challenge their government support categorization.
Under the revised process, students now have the opportunity to submit multiple reasons for their appeals, a change that came after a court ruling in March. Before, they were allowed to give only one reason.
HELB CEO Geoffrey Monari highlighted the broadening of the appeal process, explaining that students can now submit a variety of reasons for their dissatisfaction with the allocation.
"Previously, students were required to give only one reason for their appeal. Now, they can submit multiple reasons," Monari said
Monari also emphasized that the system now allows for more flexibility. Students can provide reasons that were not originally listed in the default options.
"The court ordered us to carry out public participation and incorporate feedback to improve the appeals mechanism. We have implemented these changes," Monari added.
This change follows a directive from the Court of Appeal, which had stayed a previous High Court decision that deemed the funding model unconstitutional.
Following the ruling, HELB and the Universities Fund opened the appeals process to allow for more public participation, which is expected to be completed by mid-April.
The appeal process is aimed at students who were dissatisfied with their categorization in the new funding model.
HELB reassesses appeals based on fresh information, with eligible students citing reasons such as the death of parents, medical conditions in the family, or financial hardship.
Students with disabilities, those in government cash transfer programs, or other forms of social support, are also eligible for a reassessment.