PAY BACK YOUR STUDENT LOANS

The Students Financing Agency of Rwanda (SFAR), is having trouble collecting debts owed by beneficiaries of the student loan scheme. According to the agency, only twelve percent are remitting their dues as expected. This is evident of the lack of accountability by some in our society, which should not be tolerated. If you borrow money, you must pay it back. Evading or defaulting on any loan repayment is equivalent to theft. People must understand that university education is something worthy to pay for. When the government established SFAR, the idea was to enable all students enrol into university. Upon completion, the students would then compete favourably for better employment opportunities and then use a small percentage of their income to pay back the loan. The paid back loans are designed to help other students in need to also acquire university education. However, by not paying back, we are selfishly denying other needy students the opportunity we once desired and enjoyed. At this rate, if we continue to take for granted the wonderful opportunities that the government is providing, we will end up losing them. The challenge is to change our attitude and mindset and take responsibility to meet our contractual obligations. Going to the university is a responsibility in itself. When signing for the loans, you were making the commitment to pay back. It’s therefore, your responsibility to fully pay back. There is a problem that people have gotten comfortable with debt. SFAR should therefore, put in place strict debt collection methods. Culprits should be named and shamed and fines should be imposed on defaulters. Ends

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PAY BACK YOUR STUDENT LOANS