The Divine Word University Student Representative Council (DWU SRC) strongly urges the Minister for Higher Education and the Minister for Finance to immediately fast-track the release of the TESAS and HELP funds for the 2025 first semester, which has now ended. The DWU SRC advised of this in a media release today that it has been informed that the University Administration has reached the limit of its ability to cover for the government component of fees expected for the 2025 first semester and is considering requiring students who are currently under the TESAS scholarship and HELP loan scheme to cover their own unpaid fees. This follows the continued delay in the release of sponsorship funds from the government. The Divine Word University Administration is actively working with the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) to secure the TESAS and HELP funds. However, due to the delay by the Department of Finance in approving release of these grants, the University is now deliberating that students’ primary sponsors (parents) will be required to cover these unpaid government-sponsored fees for students to continue into the second semester. This development poses a serious threat to the academic future of the significant majority of students at Divine Word University. Out of the total student population at Madang Campus of 1, 943, at least 50% are currently expected to be supported by the TESAS scholarship, and 37% have applied for the HELP Loan scheme. It is deeply concerning and unacceptable that these students now will face the possibility of being excluded from classes due to funding delays that are beyond their control. Timely release of these funds is crucial to ensure that affected students are able to register and attend classes for the second semester, commencing at the end of June. Meanwhile, this newsroom received confirmation from the Divine Word University President Professor Father Phillip Gibbs that the information released by the SRC is in fact true. Father Gibbs told PNG HAUSBUNG that after four months of covering student expenses, we are reluctantly having to inform the students that the time for credit is over, and someone has to cover the fees and pay the bills. Moreover, DWU SRC has reiterated that education is a fundamental right and an investment in the future of Papua New Guinea. While the government has supported students in past years, it must now take urgent action to the government component of fees and ensure students continue to have uninterrupted access to higher education this year.