DHERST Student HELP Loan - PNG

DHERST HELP Loan Program

The Papua New Guinea Government makes funding  available  in the form of loans to support student who are studying at tertiary institutions in the country (This loan program excludes PNG students studying overseas). This loan program is called Higher Education Student Loan Program (HELP) and it is facilitated by the PNG Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology - DHERST. 

• What is HELP?

  HELP is a new studentship award administered by the DHERST to provide financial assistance on behalf of the Government of Papua New Guinea to its’ eligible students of tertiary education programs.
HELP is an income-contingent loan and is therefore repayable once students graduate  and commence a paid employment.
For many students, an education loan will be their first major financial transaction, while  taking out a studentship may seem a daunting prospect, it is also the perfect opportunity  to begin to build a solid credit history. HELP will be the beginning of many students financial history. By keeping up to date all university or college loan repayments, a student can  begin to lay the foundation of a good credit score which will prove greatly beneficial later  in life.
PNG HELP is interest free with loan balances adjusted annually for inflation and provides  for deferred payments options together with a repayment grace period following graduation. It is important to remember that HELP is a loan and no one is being to forced sign up for HELP. 

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• HELP Loan Eligibility 

1. You must be enrolled and registered at a Higher Education Institution in PNG that is accredited by DHERST.
2. The Academic program you are undertaking has been formally reviewed and  accredited by the NHTEB

• DHERST HELP LOAN Requirement

Student who are opting to apply for HELP assistance must prepare all required documents for submission prior to HELP application.
To ensure a smooth process of your application, Student applicants are encouraged to
prepare all required documents for submission prior to starting your HELP application.
Students must  provide:

1. Student identification numbers. This would be your SLF number.
2.  Original copies of the tertiary institution’s acceptance or registration correspondence;
3. National identification card (NID) numbers; Students will need to provide their NID numbers. Your NID number is important as it will be used to track the students after the graduate and are employed.
4. Tax identification numbers (TIN); Students will also need to provide a tax identification number.
5. Evidence of family, guardian’s or guarantor’s residence and income;
6. Evidence of the family and guardian’s participation in agriculture or a Small and Medium Enterprise (SME),

• Tools Needed for DHERST HELP Loan

1.  Computer/Laptop/Mobile/Tablet – you’ll need an electronic device that has an internet  browser in order to access the HELP Online application system.
2. Internet connection – you’ll need a reliable internet connection in order to connect to the HELP website.
3. Access credentials – you’ll need to have a username and token in order to login and  start the application process

• DHERST HELP LOAN Declaration form

After your have confirmed you eligibility and prepared your requirements, you must declare you intent to apply by completing a HELP Declaration form.
The Declaration form will be made available to you from your registrar’s office during your registration. Note : All completed HELP Declaration forms  must be submitted  back to your Registrar/Student data officer at your institution. 

• Applying for HELP Loan  using the Online Application System

Credentials to log into your HELP online application account will be based on SLF numbers. You will obtain this credential from your Student Data Officer (SDO) of your respective higher education institutions  (HEIs). 
If you have forgotten your SLF number, check your Grade 12 Certificate for details. 

• Starting the  HELP Loan Application Online 

1. The HELP online application system will be accessed at http://ipng.dherst.gov.pg. The view of this website will look different depending on thy type of device that you are using. You will be greeted with a welcome note. The welcome screen is known as the landing page. Click on the Log in Tab.
2. To begin the HELP process, log into your HELP account with the credentials issued by
   your Student Data Officer (SDO).
3. Once you have access the online system, you will need to provide a reliable and verifiable
   email address to secure proper communication. An activation link will be sent to your
   email for verification.
4. Click on the “my HELP loan” Tab. You will be greeted with a message stating the program you are taking and the maximum amount of Loan you can apply for.
   Confirm your Study program and your Student Status there. If you notice some errors,
   you will need to see your SDO for prompt corrections were necessary.
5. You will insert loan amount, your estimated wage or salary. Click the ‘show simulation’
   tab once its enabled.
6. Your simulation will be shown, just below the tab. You may go ahead and select the
   “show me contract” to view the contract or cancel.
7. Your contract alone will have 26 chapters that you must read and fully understand.
8. After you have read and understood the contract, you will accept the terms and conditions of the loan.
9. The Apply tab will be enabled when you accept the terms of the contract. When you click
   apply, your application has been submitted.
10. After you apply for your loan, you will then wait seven days for confirmation. If your loan
    application has been declined, an appeal and reapply tab will be enabled,
11. If your loan has been confirmed. You will need to go to your SDO to confirm your identity
    and signature.  There will be several questions for you to answer. This questions will ensure that you
    understand your rights as well as your contractual obligations. 

Note :

• If you are 18 years old or younger, then you will need a consent form from your parents or guardians.
• Your loan will be deposited directly to your HEI accounts.​​

HELP application timeline
Declaration forms issued by HEIs to  interested tertiary students
January - April

• Declaration forms collected May
• SDO accounts created
• SDOs confirm student details

May

• HELP Online App launched
• SDO accounts created
• SDOs confirm student details

June

• Students recieve credentials from SDOs
• Students apply for HELP
• First semester installments paid out

Also check out for

• Scholarships for Papua New Guinea
• Scholarships Abroad 
• PNG tertiary Selections 
• PNG Examination results