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JAM | Nov 4, 2022

Niche Financing teams with UCC to offer education loans to students in need

/ Our Today

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From left: Sandra Lawrence, Accounts Manager, UCC; Michael Gordon, Chief Innovative Officer, UCC; Richard Mitchell, Group Manager Digital and Social Media Marketing, UCC; Tennile Hussey, Manager of Business Development and Consulting Institute, UCC; Dr Haldane Davies, President of UCC; Denniston Brown, Managing Director, Niche Financing Ltd.; D’Andra Walters-Brown, Operations Assistant, Niche Financing; Charnell Graham- Francis, Operations Manager, Niche Financing; Sharmaine Ricketts, Supervisor Business Intelligence and Promotions, Niche Financing; Diana Allen, Manager, Business Development and Marketing, Niche Financing and Chase Raglan, Business Development Officer, Niche Financing.

A new opportunity has been put on the table for tertiary students at the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC) to access loans of as much as $4 million toward their education.

In partnership with the UCC, longstanding micro-lender Niche Financing has announced it will provide customisable, insured pre-approved education loans – the Niche Education Loan – of up to $4 million to students enrolled in all tertiary programmes at the educational institution.

The partnership was announced with a joint signing between Niche Financing’s Managing Director Denniston Brown and UCC President Dr Haldane Davies on Thursday (November 3) at the UCC’s headquarters in New Kingston.

SUSTAINABLE OPTION FOR ACCESSING EDUCATION LOANS AT AFFORDABLE RATES

Presented as a sustainable option for Jamaicans to access education loans at affordable rates, with flexible terms and fast turnaround approval times, Denniston Brown, managing director of Niche Financing Limited, commended the partnership.

“We feel very privileged to be partnering with UCC in offering financial assistance at the tertiary level. Our goals align with UCC as we have a similar vision in terms of the need to change lives with flexible financing arrangements while respecting the dignity and aspirations of individuals,” Brown said.

“Social financing is one of the biggest issues we face in this country. Of the 40,000 students that graduate high school every year, there are about 30,000 that don’t move on to college. That results in people who can’t move forward in life because of financing.”

Michael Gordon, director of innovation at the UCC

Michael Gordon, director of innovation at the UCC, noted: “Many high school graduates have difficulty furthering their education after graduation. Social financing is one of the biggest issues we face in this country. Of the 40,000 students that graduate high school every year, there are about 30,000 that don’t move on to college. That results in people who can’t move forward in life because of financing.”

In closing, Davies remarked: “Financing of education is an issue throughout the Caribbean. We need to have the resources at every step of the way to support this initiative, so we can have the best individuals in the classroom.”

From left: Denniston Brown, managing director, Niche Financing Ltd, and Dr Haldane Davies, president of the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean, sign the agreement while Diana Allen, manager – business development and marketing, Niche Financing, looks on.

In the Q & A segment of the briefing, Diana Allen, business development and marketing manager at Niche Financing, expanded on the terms of the loan.

“We’re offering the Niche Education loan to persons as young as 15 years old going up to age 75 years.  Based on feedback from UCC, there are students as mature at 75 taking courses to further their education. We at Niche Financing have a vested interest in satisfying individuals pursuing tertiary education in a wholesome manner with emphasis on affordability, flexibility and not a one size that fits all.”

The terms of the loan will be made available for short courses, Bachelors and Masters degrees, as well as MBA programmes and Doctorates.

LOAN DETAILS

The Niche Education Loan will be pre-approved with the flexibility of semester disbursements and is available to:

  • Individuals up to age 75 years old who are pursing tertiary education at the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean locally or online.
  • New and returning students  
  • Employees of UCC
  • Full time students aged (15-18) years old 
  • Self Employed Individuals

The approved UCC Education Loan Band is up to $4 million. 

  • The approved loan tenure band is (12 – 96) months for (Salary Deduction) repayment.
  • Education Loans of up to $1,000,000.00 can be facilitated without a Guarantor. Conditions apply.
  • Loans can be pre-approved for the full tuition amount and semester disbursements paid out to UCC per quarter.
  • All Loans are insured 

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