Public views are being sought on improvements to the operation of the non-means-tested loan schemes the Student Financial Assistance Agency administers.

The review aims to introduce improvements to the schemes, to ensure that while reasonable financial support is provided for students pursuing post-secondary and continuing education, effective measures are in place to address public concerns on the loan default rate and proper use of public resources.

The review - covering the scope, eligibility criteria, application procedures, interest rate, repayment arrangements, as well as measures to address the default situation - will be conducted in two phases.

During the first phase, views and suggestions on the loan schemes are sought, in particular on five key issues. They are:

* restrictions, if any, on the amount and coverage of loans;

* introduction of additional criteria, if any, on the courses eligible under the schemes;

* changes, if any, to the existing interest-rate arrangements;

* changes, if any, to the repayment terms and conditions; and

* measures to reduce the default rate more effectively.

The Government will carefully consider the views from the public and stakeholders before drawing up recommendations for further consultation with the public during the review's second phase.