Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams, says the Government is expanding access to tertiary education by investing heavily in student financing, through the revamped Student Loan Bureau (SLB).
“Let me reiterate the Government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that no Jamaican is denied access to tertiary education due to financial constraints. You can take the message to other students,” said Mrs. Williams.
She was addressing the University of Technology Jamaica (UTech) 2025/26 Western Campus Annual Business Seminar, held at the SeaGarden Beach Resort in Montego Bay, St. James, on April 1.
Mrs. Williams urged students to shed the stigma long attached to borrowing for school and to see it instead as a personal investment in their own futures.
She said the Government has facilitated this self-investment by pouring billions of dollars into the SLB to make funding more accessible, particularly to the youth and those entering universities.
“You’ve seen, over the years, the changes that have been made. The Government is saying now that there’s no need for a guarantor; the interest rates on the loans are quite low, and we’ll make it easier and easier so that when you leave school and have to repay that, it too will not be a burden,” Mrs. Williams outlined.
“It is easier in terms of making sure the interest rate is low and that you have a long time over which to pay back,” she added.
The Minister indicated that current students must act as ambassadors for the SLB, noting that they should share information with peers who may be uncertain about how to finance their studies.
Mrs. Williams pointed out that greater awareness of these financing options gives more young Jamaicans the option to pursue tertiary education without the constant stress of securing tuition each semester.
“I know that UTech has taken it (SLB) on, and you know how to explain what it is, how it works to students, and now I am sure there are a lot happier students on campus than there used to be,” Mrs. Williams said.
For his part, Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Dwight Crawford, reinforced the importance of collaboration between education and industries, noting that spaces that bring together students, professionals and innovators are critical to national growth.
He also noted that such engagements help to transform ideas into practical solutions that can strengthen communities and drive economic progress.
Mr. Crawford said students must be intentional about the relationships they build, as a single conversation can become a partnership, an idea or a solution.
The seminar, held under the theme ‘Bridging Minds, Building Futures: Igniting Innovation Through Collaboration’, highlighted the growing role of young people in shaping Jamaica’s future.
