Students at Divine Word University (DWU) in Madang are breathing a sigh of relief as the first semester's Tertiary Education Study Assistance Scheme (TESAS) payment has finally been received. This was confirmed by the President of Divine Word University Professor Father Philip Gibbs at the beginning of this month of July. This comes after a period of intense uncertainty and a petition presented to Madang Governor Ramsey Pariwa regarding the protracted delays in both TESAS and Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) funding. Professor Gibbs stated that Governor Pariwa, acknowledging the government's shortcomings, offered a public apology to the students, taking responsibility for the funding delays. “He assured them that he would personally ensure the outstanding payments would be made.” This commitment provided a crucial lifeline, with the university having granted a four-week extension for the government to settle the outstanding amounts before any further drastic action, such as student de-registration, would be considered. The total amount for both TESAS and HELP funding for DWU in Madang was approximately K5 million. While the full HELP component is still pending, the first semester TESAS component payment has been paid in the sum of K2.6 million for the Madang campus. The prolonged delay had put immense pressure on students and the university, with Professor Gibbs previously stating that the institution was facing significant financial strain due to the outstanding government commitments. The receipt of the TESAS funds is a welcome development, offering much-needed relief and a step towards resolving the financial challenges faced by students relying on government support for their education. Students and the university now await the swift disbursement of the remaining HELP funds to ensure a smooth continuation of the academic year.