The Students Financing Agency for Rwanda (SFAR) has begun the loans application exercise earlier than usual, to avoid the confusion that was experienced last year.

Last year, the bursary/ loan awarding procedure was marred by controversy where students accused SFAR of giving them a raw deal and SFAR also said that the students had misunderstood the new procedures.

Previously, the bursary/ loan was given to senior six leavers who were selected basing on the academic performance at the high school national examinations, but of late the procedure has changed to involve the students who are unable to pay their own tuition fees in the institutions of higher learning.

The process of applying for the loan in the past two years has been conducted towards the end of the year.

Appearing on radio Rwanda’s live talk show yesterday, the Director of SFAR, Emma Rubagumya, called upon the students who were short listed to apply as early as possible so they can be able to finish the process in time.

Rubagumya cautioned the students who claim that they were given the loan just because they appeared on the Universities’ selection lists.

"Appearing on the list does not automatically mean that that you are eligible for the loan, you have to fill our form so we can evaluate your lack of ability to pay your tuition fees,” she said.

The form has areas where prospective candidates indicate their family’s wealth from which the agency determines if the candidate is eligible for the loan or not.

Rubagumya called upon parents and the students to stop thinking that the government will pay tuition for every University student. 

"If a parent has the ability to pay the tuition fees of his or child, they should pay for them so that they give chance to those who are less privileged to also continue their education,” said Rubagumya.

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