SLB Debt Reset Programme gains momentum, including diaspora borrowers

The Students’ Loan Bureau (SLB) has reported encouraging participation in its recently launched Debt Reset Programme, with more than 6,000 clients already onboarded through the customer portal — including Jamaicans living overseas, who can also sign up and manage payments entirely online.

Approximately 3,600 clients have already applied for the Debt Reset Programme. Of this group, 800 have sought the arrears credit, while 2,900 have applied for the ‘Good Standing’ credit of $100,000.

Overall, some 25,000 customers stand to benefit from the initiative, according to Director of Client Relationship Management Services, Cheryl Surjue.

Under the programme, SLB is offering a limited-time initiative to assist borrowers with Targeted Loan accounts that were in arrears as at October 31, 2025. Eligible persons will receive a 100 per cent waiver of late fees and insurance charges, along with a 50 per cent waiver of interest arrears as at October 31, 2025, once the borrower pays the remaining balance of the outstanding arrears within the programme window.

Additionally, a one-time credit of up to $100,000 will be applied to accounts that were in Good Standing as at October 31, 2025.

Speaking during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank, Ms. Surjue said the good standing credit for onboarded applicants has already been successfully applied to qualifying accounts.

“So if they should go online now, they will see that amount applied to their account,” she stated.

Ms. Surjue reiterated that borrowers must make principal payments in arrears in order to receive the programme’s full benefits.

“The customer can either clear the principal arrears in one go, or they can schedule the payments for the principal arrears and the 50 per cent interest arrears over the period. That will give them a fresh start in terms of getting back on track and start making their monthly payments on time,” she said.

SLB’s Debt Recovery Manager, Owin Watson, noted that the programme is also accessible to members of the Jamaican diaspora, as onboarding, account access and payments can all be completed online, removing the need for in-person visits.

He emphasised that customers qualifying for the good standing credit must first be onboarded on the platform to access the Bureau’s portal and confirm that the benefit has been, or will be, applied to their loan accounts.

The onboarding process involves visiting the agency’s website at register.slbja.com, selecting ‘Start Onboarding’, completing the Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN) verification, and entering personal information, including name, email address and telephone number. Once all required fields are completed, applicants submit the form electronically.

“Once they have successfully onboarded, they’ll be able to download their statements and they’ll see the credit visibly on their loan statements,” Mr. Watson said.