Student Loans

Bank of Saint Lucia has always recognized the importance of education to the development of Saint Lucia and it’s people and continues to invest in the human resource development of nationals through the provision of student loans.

A Bank of Saint Lucia student loan will assist with:

• Tuition
• Boarding and lodging
• Traveling Expenses
• Economic Cost
• Other related educational expenses

Please click below for more information and how to get started on applying for your student loan with Bank of Saint Lucia.

Guidelines
Loan Limits
Loan Terms and Conditions
The Application Process
Disbursements
Loan Check List
Life Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Policy Guidelines

• Loans considered for programes that are on the Government of Saint Lucia's List of Priority Areas for Manpower Training* will be at a reduced rate.
• The educational institution where the training programme is to be pursued must be accredited.
• Applicants will be required to make an equity contribution of 10% towards the cost of study.  This contribution may include legal fees, insurance payments, airfares and other support as well as a commitment to pay interest during the approved study period.

* There must be a forecast demand for the skill in Saint Lucia and/or the region.  Please visit the Government of Saint Lucia website or the Ministry of Education for the most recent approved priority list.

Eligibility

• A student loan applicant must be a citizen of Saint Lucia who is at least 18 years old and has resided in the country for a minimum of one year immediately preceding the date of application for the loan.

The Interview

• Applicants must arrange an appointment with a Relationship Officer at any branch of Bank of Saint Lucia for further information and completion of the Application Form.
• Applicants are required to bring the checklist items listed below to the interview.
• The Application Form is completed at the Bank and signed by the applicant or his/her attorney.

Application Dates

• Students applying for courses commencing in Aug/Sept are advised to apply on or before June 30th. For courses starting in January, please apply before October 31st of the previous year. Late applicants risk not receiving funds in time for the start of their programmes.

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Loan Limits

Below are the maximum loan amounts for courses at the various levels:

In determining the loan amount, the Bank shall take into consideration:

• The cost of the programme of study
• The student's financial commitments
• The quality and value of security available
• The student's ability to repay the loan from expected income on completion of study on the terms specified
• The student's equity contribution to the cost of the programme of study

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Loan Terms 

• Interest rate - 8.5% on the monthly reducing balance (on loans for programmes on the Government priority list)
• Repayment term -15 years maximum
• Grace Period -The borrower is not required to make any payment towards the principal during the scheduled period of study plus six months thereafter. However, interest will be payable and the total loan may include an amount to cover the interest during the grace period.
• Loan Components -The proceeds of the loan may be used to finance the following costs: enrollment, tuition, books and related cost of materials, transportation, room and board, insurance coverage on the life of the borrower, bank and legal fees and interest on the loan during the grace period.

Security/Collateral

Student loans are to be fully secured. The Bank accepts the following types of security:

• Mortgage (Hypothecary Obligation) -Taken on land or house and land.
• Second and subsequent mortgages -Taken on property that is already mortgaged to BOSL and has sufficient value to support additional mortgages.
• Assignment of House Insurance -Taken if a house or building forms part of the property insurance being pledged as security.
• Cash - Lien on Fixed Deposit or Cash at bank.
• Life Insurance -The Cash Surrender Value of an Insurance Policy can be used as security.
• Guarantors - One Guarantor will be accepted for loans up to EC$4,050 and two for loans from $4,051 to a maximum of EC$16,000 for students studying regionally or internationally. For students studying locally, one guarantor can be accepted for up to $6,000 and two, for loans from $6,001 to a maximum of $16,000.Guarantors should be resident nationals of Saint Lucia, creditworthy, of good financial standing, have a net worth of at least double the guaranteed amount of the loan and with a steady income.

Bank Fees

The following fees are payable:

• Administrative Fees: 2% of the loan amount
• Visa Fees (if property is used as security)
• Stamp Duty

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Summary of the Application Process

1. Enquiry - The prospective applicant collects a checklist from the Bank or website and arranges an interview with a Relationship Officer.
2. The Relationship Officer interviews the prospective client and completes an Application Form if warranted. The applicant submits documents/information requested on the checklist.
3. The Relationship Officer appraises the loan request and submits it for approval.
4. The Relationship Officer contacts the applicant to inform him/her of the decision and arrange (if applicable) an appointment for the signing of the Offer Letter, Agreement, other documents and payment of relevant fees.
5. The applicant fulfils the security requirements.  If the loan is secured by a mortgage; the loan details are submitted to the applicant's lawyer for preparation of the security documents. Payment of legal-fees for the preparation of the mortgage is usually the responsibility of the client.
6. After all the security documents are in place and the Bank fees are paid, the disbursement process begins.

Pre-Disbursements requirements

Following the loan approval, the client and the person(s) securing the loan (sureties), visit the Bank to sign the Offer Letter, Loan Agreement and other documents.  The time between approval and disbursement of the loan can vary depending on the client's ability to provide the Bank with all the relevant pre-disbursement requirements. These include:

1. Registered mortgage or Letter of Undertaking from lawyer, if the loan is secured by property
2. Acceptance of guarantors by the Bank
3. Assignment of Life Insurance Policy to the Bank
4. Copy of registered Power of Attorney (if applicable)
5. Arrangements for the payment of interest during the grace period if interest is not capitalized
6. Payment of Bank and legal fees
7. Opening an account with Bank of Saint Lucia and signing up for an International Debit Card and Complete Online Banking

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Disbursements

The bank requires at least two days notice prior to processing of disbursements. Funds for books and boarding are credited to the customer's account which can be accessed through their debit card. On an annual basis, the Bank pays tuition and examination fees to the institution via bank draft, cheque or telegraphic transfer. Transcripts/results providing evidence of successful completion of the academic year/semester are required prior to the disbursement of additional funds.

Clients or their attorneys are required to sign at the bank acknowledging receipt of each disbursement.

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Checklist/What to bring with you to the interview

• Original or certified copy of birth certificate
• NIC number
• Picture ID
• Certified copies of school certificates and diplomas
• Acceptance letter from the educational institution
• Official school transcript (for applicants already attending institution)
• Two character reference letters, at least one from previous school or employer
• Job letter
• Evidence of parents/guardians income
• Evidence of scholarship, financial or other support

All loans shall be fully secured. Any one or combination of the following documents are required depending on the type of security being used for the loan:

• Property - two copies of Land Deed; two recent copies of the Land Register for the property to be used as security; and Comprehensive Insurance over dwelling house.  A valuation of the property done by one of the Bank's approved valuators (list available at the Bank) is required.  Only valuations prepared within the last three years will be accepted.
• Guarantors - completed statements of affairs from each guarantor
• Cash - fixed deposit certificate or evidence of cash to be used as security

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Life Insurance

In addition to the security provided the client is required to assign the Bank a life insurance policy for at least the amount of the loan for the life of the loan. Please note that the policy must not lapse or be cancelled during the disbursement and loan repayment periods.

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