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Developers buck DHSUD rule locking up pre-selling proceeds

THE Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations Inc. (CREBA) has raised concerns over a new Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) rule requiring payments collected during the pre-selling of housing units under a temporary license to be placed in escrow.

CREBA warned that restricting developers’ access to buyers’ payments could disrupt project financing and ultimately delay housing construction, particularly in the mass and affordable housing segments.

Under DHSUD Department Circular No. 2026-12, a developer may be issued a Temporary License to Sell (TLS), allowing it to begin pre-selling while awaiting regulatory permits from agencies other than the DHSUD.

The circular, however, requires proceeds from pre-selling under the TLS to be deposited in escrow to ensure that amounts paid by buyers can be refunded should the developer fail to subsequently secure a regular License to Sell.

CREBA warned that locking up the proceeds could undermine one of the real estate industry’s mechanisms for financing construction, particularly for mass and affordable housing projects where developers operate on tighter margins and depend heavily on cash flow during the pre-selling stage.

Pre-selling involves offering housing units to buyers before construction is completed or the units are ready for occupancy.

Buyers are typically offered lower prices compared with ready-for-occupancy units, along with flexible payment terms and an opportunity to choose units earlier in the development.

For developers, CREBA President Noel ‘Toti’ Cariño said pre-selling provides liquidity to supplement capital already committed to a project and helps replenish investments made before units are sold.

These sunk investments include expenditures for land acquisition, planning and design, surveys, permits, professional fees, site preparation, financing and other pre-development costs.

Cariño said that while pre-selling proceeds cannot finance an entire development, they can help accelerate project completion by easing cash-flow pressures and allowing developers to recycle working capital into ongoing construction and the development of facilities and amenities.

‘Every peso legitimately returned to the project’s development cycle can help move a project faster toward completion,’ Cariño said.

He warned that requiring all pre-selling proceeds to remain in escrow could constrict developers’ liquidity, particularly during periods of tight capital and high interest rates, potentially slowing completion of housing units already paid for by buyers.

Cariño said the TLS framework should be redesigned not merely to allow developers to begin selling but also to help accelerate housing development while protecting homebuyers.

‘A better mechanism would permit the controlled and progressive release of escrow funds exclusively for the same project, tied to independently verified construction milestones, engineering accomplishment and strict bank and DHSUD monitoring,’ Cariño said.

‘The objective should be simple: protect the buyer, safeguard the funds, but allow those funds-under strict controls-to help build the very homes for which the buyers paid,’ he added.

Thema Collection wins two Golds and Nature Positive recognition at BLTM-ICRT Indian Subcontinent Responsible Tourism Awards 2026

Thema Collection has received three prestigious recognitions at the 2026 ICRT Indian Subcontinent Responsible Tourism Awards, highlighting its commitment to responsible tourism and its efforts to create meaningful environmental, social and economic impact through hospitality.

Organised by the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) Indian Subcontinent, the awards recognise organisations across India, Sri Lanka and Nepal that are taking responsibility for the impacts of tourism and demonstrating how tourism can create local economic opportunities, support inclusion, protect and restore nature, strengthen cultural identity and help destinations adapt to climate change.

Thema Collection was recognised in three categories: Gold in Regenerative Responsible Tourism for Wild Glamping Gal Oya, Gold in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Amba Yaalu – Kandalama, and One to Watch in the Nature Positive category for Ayurvie Weligama.

The awards ceremony was attended by Tourism Ministry Additional Secretary and Director General Shri Suman Billa, as Chief Guest, and UN Women India Deputy Country Representative Kanta Singh, as Guest of Honour. The awards were received at BLTM, New Delhi, by Chandra Wickramasinghe, Chairman of Thema Collection, recognising the collective efforts of the teams and partners behind the group’s responsible tourism initiatives.

At Wild Glamping Gal Oya, tourism has been thoughtfully integrated into a working agricultural landscape, transforming a former chena cultivation area into a low-impact tourism experience centred around organic farming, nature and community. The property works closely with local guides, farmers, artisans and the Rathugala Vedda community, creating opportunities for livelihoods while encouraging the protection and regeneration of the surrounding ecosystem.

Amba Yaalu – Kandalama, Sri Lanka’s first hotel led entirely by women, was recognised in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion category for placing women’s empowerment at the centre of its operations. From leadership and hospitality to maintenance and its wider supply chain, the property creates opportunities for women and fosters an inclusive and supportive working environment.

At Ayurvie Weligama, wellness extends beyond the guest experience to encompass a broader commitment to responsible hospitality. The retreat incorporates local sourcing, renewable energy, water conservation and community engagement, alongside efforts to enhance biodiversity through native and climate-resilient planting.

Speaking on the recognitions, Thema Collection Chairman Chandra Wickramasinghe said: ‘We are honoured and privileged to receive these recognitions from ICRT. For us, responsible tourism is about creating meaningful experiences for our guests while also doing something positive for the people and places around us. These awards are a wonderful recognition of the commitment of our teams and our partners, and they encourage us to keep doing better.’

The recognition of Wild Glamping Gal Oya and Amba Yaalu – Kandalama at the Indian Subcontinent level also marks their qualification for the 2026 Global Responsible Tourism Awards, where they will compete alongside leading responsible tourism initiatives from around the world. The global winners will be announced in London in November 2026.

For Thema Collection, these recognitions reinforce a philosophy of hospitality that seeks to go beyond minimising impact, to actively contribute to the wellbeing of people, communities and the natural landscapes in which its properties are located.

Diphtheria Outbreak: We Can Do Better

It is deeply troubling that Nigeria is still grappling with diphtheria on such a scale in 2026. More troubling is the fact that this is a vaccine-preventable disease that should, with a functional routine immunisation system and an effective public health infrastructure, be largely under control.

Yet, once again, children are dying.

Recent reports from Plateau, Katsina and Kano states paint a disturbing picture of a disease spreading through communities, overwhelming health facilities and exposing serious weaknesses in Nigeria’s approach to disease prevention. Plateau alone has recorded at least 23 deaths and 143 suspected cases in the latest outbreak, with the figure subsequently reported to have risen to close to 30 deaths. In Katsina, suspected cases have been reported across 29 of the state’s 34 local government areas. Nasarawa has also confirmed 15 cases, mostly among children who were not immunised.

Kano, which has borne a particularly heavy burden since the outbreak began in 2022, is again dealing with resurgence. The state has asked for nine million doses of vaccine, yet the federal government has supplied only about 650,000 doses. The contrast is difficult to ignore. If authorities know the scale of the problem and know that vaccination is the most effective protection, why are we once again scrambling for vaccines after children have started falling ill?

While we acknowledge federal government’s deployment of about a million doses and activation of an emergency multi-agency task force in response to the latest outbreaks are welcome, as well as the efforts by state authorities to establish isolation centres, emergency intervention should not become the default strategy for dealing with a disease that has been with us for years.

Why are we repeatedly responding to diphtheria after it has spread instead of preventing it from spreading in the first place?

From what has been reported, the problem goes beyond the immediate availability of vaccines. Nigeria has had enough warning. Kano’s experience alone should have compelled a more sustained and proactive response. The state reportedly requested five million doses after the 2023 outbreak but received only about 300,000. Now, after another outbreak, it has requested nine million doses and received 650,000. Whatever the explanations for these supply gaps, this is not a satisfactory way to manage a known and recurring public health threat.

It should also force a national conversation about our dependence on development partners for essential vaccines. International agencies have played an invaluable role in Nigeria’s immunisation programme and their support remains important. But a country of Nigeria’s size and population cannot continue to approach basic vaccine requirements as though they are unexpected emergencies that must be met by donors whenever an outbreak occurs.

In neighbouring Cameroon, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported in 2024 that the country had brought its diphtheria outbreak under control, with no cases reported since January that year. The experience demonstrates that outbreaks can be contained when surveillance, vaccination, diagnosis and treatment are adequately coordinated.

Nigeria, therefore, cannot simply blame the disease on the size of its population, poverty or the difficulty of reaching remote communities. Those are real challenges, but they do not absolve governments of responsibility.

The state of our primary healthcare system is another major concern.

Reports from Katsina indicate that secondary and tertiary health facilities have come under considerable pressure as cases rise. This is precisely why successive governments have been urged to strengthen primary healthcare centres. A functional Primary Health Care (PHC) system should be the first line of defence, providing routine immunisation, early detection, referral and community-level surveillance before illnesses become severe enough to require admission to specialist hospitals.

It is also important to recognise the human cost behind the statistics. Each reported death represents a child, a family and a future cut short. Recent reports from Plateau have captured the anguish of parents who lost children after what initially appeared to be ordinary sore throats. Such accounts should remind policymakers that public health statistics are ultimately about human lives.

At the same time, communities must shoulder their share of responsibility. The Nasarawa health authorities have linked the current cases largely to children who were not immunised, while health officials elsewhere have repeatedly raised concerns about vaccine hesitancy and children missing routine doses.

At Daily Trust, we therefore call on government to improve access to vaccines, while communities must also use the services provided. Traditional rulers, religious leaders and community organisations have an important role in correcting misinformation and encouraging parents to complete routine immunisation.

The latest engagement of traditional rulers in Kano is a welcome step, but such mobilisation should be continuous rather than activated only when an outbreak begins.

We also call on the federal government and the states to move beyond the emergency response and address the underlying weaknesses exposed by this outbreak. There must be reliable vaccine forecasting and procurement, stronger cold-chain and distribution systems, better disease surveillance and properly equipped primary healthcare centres. States and local governments must also take greater responsibility for routine immunisation and community health instead of leaving too much of the burden to Abuja and international partners.

Nigeria has been here before. It should not have to keep returning.

Diphtheria is preventable. The vaccines exist. The knowledge exists. The treatment protocols exist. What have been missing are the consistency, preparedness and political commitment required to ensure that children are protected before an outbreak begins.

Navy moves ahead with frigate plan

The Royal Thai Navy is moving ahead with its frigate procurement project after the permanent secretary for defence approved the selection result, stressing that the project must deliver benefits to Thailand beyond simply acquiring a new warship.

Rear Adm Parach Rattanachaiyapan, a navy spokesman, said Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed off on the selection summary submitted by the Defence Ministry and navy on Sept 4. The permanent secretary for defence approved the result on Monday, marking a major step forward in the project.

The frigate programme is intended to boost the navy’s operational capabilities and its ability to safeguard the country’s maritime interests over the long term.

The navy said the selection process took into account operational capabilities, mission requirements, value over the vessel’s lifetime and the broader benefits to Thailand, including technology transfers, personnel development, knowledge creation and opportunities to lift the domestic defence industry.

The project must ensure taxpayers’ money generates lasting benefits by helping develop personnel, domestic industries and the country’s capacity for greater self-reliance, the navy said.

It stressed that despite approval of the selection result, the process remains within the statutory period for appeals by participating bidders. This is to protect bidders’ rights and so that the procurement is conducted fairly and transparently.

The navy will hold a press conference on Sept 18, after the appeal period expires, to officially announce the winning bidder and explain the selection criteria, reasons for the decision, key elements of the winning proposal and expected benefits for the navy and the country.

“The frigate is being built with taxpayers’ money. Our goal is not simply to obtain the best ship for the navy. This investment must also generate benefits for the country,” Rear Adm Parach said. “The navy gets a ship, the country must gain capabilities, Thai people must gain knowledge, and Thai industries must have opportunities to grow alongside it.”

Kano political commentator killed as 2027 campaign begins

As the governorship campaign for the 2027 elections officially commenced, Kano people woke to the shocking news of the killing of Ibrahim Dan Shagamu, a popular social media political commentator, at his residence in the state.

Dan Shagamu was reportedly attacked and killed by unknown assailants who overpowered him at his home. The circumstances surrounding the incident, including the identity of the attackers and their motive, remained unclear as of Wednesday afternoon.

The killing has heightened concerns about the security environment surrounding Nigeria’s emerging 2027 electioneering activities, coming barely a day after the convoy of Peter Obi, a presidential aspirant, was reportedly attacked in Benue State.

The two incidents, although unrelated based on available information, have intensified apprehension among political actors and civil society groups over the potential for rising tension, intimidation and violence as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.

Reports circulating after Dan Shagamu’s death described the attack as particularly brutal, although details of the incident had yet to be independently established by the police or other security authorities.

The motive for the killing was also yet to be established, raising questions about whether the incident was connected to his political commentary, a personal dispute or other criminal circumstances.

Dan Shagamu had built a following in Kano through his social media commentary on political developments and public affairs, making his death particularly significant in a state where social media has become an increasingly influential platform for political mobilisation and debate.

The development triggered shock and mourning among his followers, residents and members of the online community, with calls mounting for security agencies to investigate the killing and identify those responsible.

Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities and the Nigeria Police Force to conduct an intensive investigation into the killing and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

The organisation also expressed concern over reports of politically motivated threats, intimidation and risks to lives as Nigeria approaches another election cycle.

The Kano incident comes at a sensitive moment for the political landscape in the state. With the 2027 governorship campaign formally getting underway, political parties and prospective candidates are expected to intensify grassroots mobilisation, public engagements and online campaigns.

Kano, one of Nigeria’s largest political constituencies, is expected to remain a major battleground in the 2027 elections, making the security of political actors, commentators and citizens a growing concern.

The reported attack on Obi’s convoy in Benue on Tuesday had already generated condemnation and renewed debate about the safety of political campaigns. The incident involving Dan Shagamu a day later has added another layer of concern, particularly among those monitoring the impact of electioneering on public safety.

However, there is no established evidence linking the Kano killing to the Benue incident or confirming that either was politically motivated.

The police response to Dan Shagamu’s killing will therefore be closely watched, particularly whether investigators can establish the circumstances of the attack, identify suspects and determine whether his political activities played any role.

For residents and political observers in Kano, the killing has also revived concerns about the need for security agencies and political parties to prevent the 2027 campaign from becoming a period of fear and intimidation.

With political activities now gathering pace, stakeholders are likely to face increasing pressure to ensure that political competition does not translate into violence or threats against citizens exercising their right to participate in public debate.

Power plan promotes small nuclear reactors

Thailand is poised to finally enter the nuclear era, proposing 9,000 megawatts of small modular reactors (SMRs) under its power development plan (PDP) to advance the nation’s campaign against global warming.

The draft 2026 PDP, unveiled on Tuesday by the Energy Policy and Planning Office (Eppo), sets out a roadmap through 2050 that for the first time embeds a legally binding net-zero target.

Officials stressed that every measure in the plan is critical, as the goal is not voluntary but rather a national commitment.

The plan prioritises renewable energy expansion, while positioning SMRs as a supporting clean power source to cut carbon emissions, particularly in the electricity sector.

“The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand [Egat] will pioneer the country’s first SMR project, with a 300MW unit expected to come online in 2037,” said Sarat Prakobchart, deputy director-general of Eppo.

Egat is expected to oversee the initial installation to ensure safety and smooth execution.

An SMR is a nuclear power technology with a generating capacity of up to 300MW per unit, roughly one-third the size of traditional nuclear reactors, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Once regulatory and operational frameworks are in place, private investors in the small power producer category will be invited to develop and operate additional SMRs, with a combined capacity of 8,700MW, according to the PDP.

These decentralised units are expected to serve energy-intensive sectors such as data centres and advanced technology industries, according to an official who requested anonymity.

Nuclear power was first floated in the 2010 PDP, with plans for 2,000MW of capacity by 2020-21. That proposal was scrapped in 2011 after Japan’s Fukushima disaster raised global safety concerns.

Officials now argue that SMRs, with their smaller scale and advanced safety features, can provide a more viable path forward.

Under the 2026 PDP, SMRs will complement a massive scale-up of renewables.

Clean energy sources are projected to account for 65-89% of Thailand’s energy mix by 2050, up from just 20% today.

Officials confirmed there will be no new coal-fired plants, with existing facilities set to retire over time.

Natural gas, which currently supplies nearly 60% of power generation, will be reduced to less than 29% by 2037, serving as a transitional fuel to stabilise the grid alongside low-carbon technologies.

Energy planners say the combined push of renewables, SMRs and reduced reliance on fossil fuels is crucial for Thailand to meet its net-zero pledge.

The power and transport sectors together account for more than 70% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions annually, making the transition urgent.

The first phase of the PDP (2026-37) sets power generation capacity at 50,900MW, while the second phase (2038-50) outlines three scenarios for policymakers, depending on whether carbon capture and storage is adopted and how far renewable energy can be scaled.

The new PDP also promotes smart grids, which are advanced electricity networks that use digital technology to balance supply and demand in real time, as well as virtual power plants, which are systems that link distributed energy resources into a single controllable unit.

Wildlife smuggling suspects caught with hornbill and gibbon

Two men have been arrested in Bangkok after allegedly attempting to transport protected wildlife for export, a Rhinoceros Hornbill and a Yellow-cheeked gibbon, authorities said.

The suspects, a Thai and a Cambodian, were arrested on Tuesday morning at a petrol station in Samsen Nai, Phaya Thai district, following a tip-off from a member of the public.

Wildlife officers from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, working with police from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, had been monitoring a suspected handover of protected animals.

When the two men arrived separately on motorcycles, officers noticed a perforated cardboard box attached to the rear of one of the bikes. A search found two plastic animal crates containing a rhinoceros hornbill and a yellow-cheeked gibbon, both protected species under Thai law.

Authorities seized the two animals, two plastic crates, the cardboard box and two mobile phones.

The suspects were subsequently taken to their shared commercial building on Ratchaprarop Soi 16 in Ratchathewi district for a search. No additional illegally held protected wildlife was found.

During questioning, the men allegedly told officers they had been acting as middlemen, collecting wildlife from different sellers and delivering it to buyers in return for a commission. They said they had been involved in the operation for more than a year.

Both men face charges under Thailand’s Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act 2019 for possessing protected wildlife without permission and jointly trading protected wildlife without authorisation.

The Cambodian suspect also faces an additional charge under the Immigration Act 1979 for overstaying his permission to remain in Thailand, which expired on March 31.

The seized animals have been handed over to the Wildlife Health Management Unit under the Wildlife Conservation Division for care and further examination.

Nigeria, Canada to set up working group on visa delays, migrant removal

The Federal Government and the Government of Canada have agreed to establish a joint technical working group to address persistent delays in the processing of Canadian visa applications by Nigerians and develop a framework for the removal of persons without legal status in Canada.

Mary Ali, Head of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Interior, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja after a meeting between Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, and David Sproule, Chargé d’Affaires of the Canadian High Commission.

The meeting focused on concerns surrounding prolonged processing times for Canadian visas and study permits for Nigerian applicants, as well as areas of cooperation between both countries on migration management, travel facilitation and border administration.

According to the statement, the two sides also reviewed opportunities arising from the expanding Nigeria-Canada Air Transport Agreement (ATA), including the possibility of introducing direct flights between the two countries.

Ajani, who represented Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, said delays in Canadian visa processing had continued to affect Nigerians, particularly students seeking to commence academic programmes in Canada.

Tunji-Ojo noted that some Nigerian students had been unable to travel to Canada on schedule because of delays in the issuance of their study permits, even after their visa applications had been approved.

The Minister stressed the need for both countries to address the concerns through sustained dialogue and stronger institutional cooperation.

He also urged the Canadian authorities to give the concerns of Nigerian visa applicants due and expeditious consideration, stressing the importance of improving the experience of Nigerians seeking to travel to Canada.

The meeting further examined the expansion of the Nigeria-Canada Air Transport Agreement, which is expected to pave the way for the introduction of direct flights between both countries.

Such flights would eliminate the need for passengers travelling between Nigeria and Canada to connect through Europe or the United States.

Both sides expressed optimism that the expanded air transport arrangement would strengthen commercial ties between Nigeria and Canada while making travel between the two countries more convenient for passengers.

On migration management, the discussions focused on the development of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) between Nigerian authorities and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for the removal of persons without legal status in Canada.

Tunji-Ojo assured the Canadian delegation that Nigeria would designate relevant officials to engage with their Canadian counterparts and facilitate the establishment of the proposed joint technical working group.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation with Canada, particularly in the areas of immigration, travel facilitation and border management.

Responding, Sproule acknowledged the concerns raised by Nigeria over delays in visa processing, describing the issue as an important pressure point in the bilateral relationship.

He assured the Nigerian delegation that the concerns would be conveyed to the relevant Canadian immigration authorities, with the aim of improving processing times and ensuring that Nigeria receives appropriate attention within the visa-processing system.

The two sides subsequently agreed on the need to establish a small technical working group that would drive further discussions and maintain regular engagement among relevant agencies in both countries.

Sproule expressed appreciation for the openness of the Nigerian delegation during the meeting and welcomed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening institutional cooperation between Nigeria and Canada.

Aboitiz unit acquires PSALM assets in Pagbilao

The Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) and Aboitiz Power Corp.’s subsidiary Therma Luzon Inc. (TLI) formalized TLI’s acquisition of Pagbilao properties in Quezon valued at P2.95 billion.

The state firm said on Wednesday that a ceremonial signing was recently held at the PSALM office in Quezon City, led by PSALM President and CEO Dennis Edward A. Dela Serna and TLI executives.

The acquisition of the 1.06 million hectares successfully concludes one of PSALM’s power sector privatization targets.

For TLI and AboitizPower, the transaction represents a long-term commitment to operating the Pagbilao facility responsibly to support the Philippines’ growing energy requirements and long-term energy security.

‘The ceremonial signing marks the successful conclusion of one of PSALM’s privatization targets and reflects the shared commitment between government and private sector stakeholders to energy security and national development,’ Dela Serna said.

PSALM was created under Republic Act 9136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, to lead the privatization of generation and transmission assets of the National Power Corp.

The state firm is also bidding out its 39,698-square-meter property in Diliman, Quezon City, with a minimum bid price of P11.09 billion.

Sold on an ‘as-is, where-is’ basis, the property excludes 12,250 square meters occupied by the facilities of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, which will remain in use until January 15, 2034.

PSALM said the bidding is open to qualified individuals, sole proprietors, cooperatives, corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, consortium, government-owned entities, and local government units authorized to acquire and develop real property in the Philippines. Private entities must be at least 60 percent Filipino-owned.

Loan scheme delays leave students stranded in indecision

A month into the academic calendar at most public universities, students who applied for the government higher education loan scheme remain in limbo.

They are still waiting for the ministry to announce the results, so they can finally know whether they have secured the funds needed for their next academic journey.

Although only a small number of applicants are typically awarded loans, the delay affects all who applied-often thousands of students. This includes those who remain at home because they cannot afford tuition, watching lectures roll on without them.

It also includes those who might pivot to cheaper private courses or alternative programmes but are left uncertain about making that move, because they do not yet know their fate.

To further underscore that the ministry is not sufficiently aligned with the school calendar, this year, the loan application window closed before most government diploma-awarding institutions had even released admission letters.

This forced some students into impossible choices. One student I spoke with had intended to pursue a national diploma in engineering at a government technical college.

But noticing that the application deadline was fast approaching, he quickly applied for a bachelor’s degree somewhere, just to secure an admission letter and submit his loan application on time.

It is also important to note that most institutions require students to complete their registration within the first four weeks of the semester.

Yet, weeks after lectures have begun, the beneficiaries’ list has not yet been released. For students whose entire enrolment hinges on these funds, university deadlines are expiring while they wait on the government.

For the vast majority who will eventually be rejected, every additional day of silence is a day they cannot explore cheaper courses or make alternative plans.

They are held hostage to a verdict that should have been delivered before the academic year began.

I find this situation absurd, especially because it follows a bad pattern we already see with Joint Admissions Board admissions, which are routinely delayed, leaving students with little time to evaluate their options.

This is not just a bureaucratic delay. It is a failure in planning.

The Ministry of Education needs to urgently revise its timelines for admissions, institution start dates, and the awarding of scholarships and loans.

These revisions would give students time to evaluate their choices and decide what to do next, whether that means enrolling, pivoting to a cheaper option, or stepping back entirely with clarity.