Articles · Vol. 2 No. 2 (2004): Journal of Higher Education in Africa

Student Loans: Potential, Problems, and Lessons from International Experience

Maureen Woodhall

  • Maureen Woodhall
    Maureen Woodhall
    Maureen Woodhall is an Honorary Fellow in the Education Department of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, from which she retired as Senior Research Fellow in 2001. She is also Emeritus Reader in Education Finance at the University of London Institute of Education and...
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Vol. 2 · 2004 No. 2 Journal of Higher Education in Africa JHEA

Abstract

This article, prepared for a conference on Financing Higher Education: Diversify- ing Revenue and Expanding Accessibility held in Dar-es-Salaam in March 2001, draws on a wide range of experience throughout the developing world to inform policies attempting to create student loans programs in Africa. It outlines problems common to student loan programs (most of which, in Africa, have not been suc- cessful), ranging from inadequate capital to excessive subsidization to the inability to surmount political opposition to loans. There are several key policy decisions, answers to which will largely determine the possible recovery rate but which will also determine the accessibility of the program to students and may also affect the likely political receptivity to the idea of loans. The article concludes that loan pro- grams can be designed to be more effective and efficient and thus to contribute revenue diversification in Africa.

 

Student Loans: Potential, Problems, and Lessons from International Experience: Maureen Woodhall

Cet article, préparé pour une conférence portant sur le « Financement de l’enseignement supérieur : diversification des revenus et élargissement de l’accès », qui a eu lieu à Dar-es-Salaam en mars 2001, s’inspire de différentes expériences tirées des pays en développement, dans le but de mieux orienter les politiques de mise en place de prêts étudiants en Afrique. Il souligne les problèmes communs à ces programmes de prêt (qui ont pour la plupart été un échec en Afrique), allant d’un capital inadéquat à des subventions excessives, en passant par l’incapacité à venir à bout de l’opposition politique à l’octroi de ces prêts. Il existe un grand nombre de décisions clés à prendre, dont l’issue déterminera largement l’éventuel taux de recouvrement, et déterminera également l’accès des étudiants à ces programmes, et pourrait même bien influer sur la possible réceptivité politique à l’égard du concept de prêts. Cet article conclut que les programmes de prêts peuvent être définis pour être plus efficaces, afin de contribuer à la diversification des revenus en Afrique.

 

Keywords

Experience excessive subsidization Scandinavia substantial

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Author Biography

  • Maureen Woodhall

    Maureen Woodhall is an Honorary Fellow in the Education Department of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, from which she retired as Senior Research Fellow in 2001. She is also Emeritus Reader in Education Finance at the University of London Institute of Education and Visiting Fel- low, School of Education, University of Sussex. Address queries to her at: e-mail: maureen@woodhall.me.uk

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