New policy ‘lifesaver’ for student
Fourth-year medical student Freeman Apou had to set up a Givealittle page to pay the $17,000 tuition fees for this year’s studies.
He is delighted that he won’t have to do that again for the next two years it’ll take for him to qualify as a doctor after the Government announced it was lifting the cap on student loans.
The 31-year-old, who hopes to become an oncologist, says he may even be able to cut back the 25 hours a week he works at two jobs.
Apou used up the eight years allowed to access the student loan under the former Government’s rules by first studying molecular biology then moving on to his medical degree.
“I had to use a Givealittle page last year to raise funds for this year so I’m currently running on those funds,” he told the Herald.
“It’s a lifesaver to be honest. It’s going to take away a lot of pressures. I’m currently working two part-time jobs at about 25 hours a week. I’ll be able to decrease that to maybe just one job.
“It’s difficult and exhausting but I think this is going to be what we all need. I’m one of many in a similar situation. I think it’s amazing, and brilliant.”
Apou’s student loan is currently sitting at $112,000 and two more years of study will add around $30,000 to that.
But, he says, “in the long run it’s worth it.”