The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) is reaching out to educators, urging them to play a pivotal role in spotting students who genuinely require financial assistance for their higher education journeys.
HELB’s CEO, Geoffrey Monari, highlighted the importance of strengthening ties with schools to prevent misuse of funds and guarantee that financial aid is directed to the most deserving individuals.
He pointed out that past collaborations with local chiefs to validate claims of need had faced challenges, including exaggerated requests and demands for payment in exchange for recommendation letters.
“In some instances, it seemed as though every individual in the community suddenly found themselves in need, with some chiefs even soliciting payments to provide necessary endorsements,” Monari elaborated.
He also noted that many students who truly require support often hesitate to reveal their circumstances due to societal stigma, while some from wealthier backgrounds falsely portray themselves as needy, knowing there are minimal repercussions.
“To tackle this issue, we are calling on teachers to help us evaluate students’ financial situations throughout their academic journeys. This approach will ensure that funding is allocated to those who genuinely need it, leaving no deserving student behind,” Monari stated.