RUAHA CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY

This study assessed the determinants of timely fee payment for students at The Open University of Tanzania (OUT) by using 120 degree and non-degree students from the seven centres (Kinondoni, Songwe, Geita, Zanzibar, Arusha, Rukwa, and Katavi). Multi-stage and systematic random sampling techniques were used to select students, who participated in the survey, and data were collected through the questionnaires, which were distributed to students by the Director of Regional Centres. The data were analysed by using descriptive analysis. The findings revealed that the majority of OUT students fails to pay fees on time because of social obligations, 26.6% invested their money into economic activities, 38 % lacked the reliable source of income and 3.8% delayed paying fees because they were not certain whether completing their programmes would benefit them. The study concludes that social obligation was the major determinant of timely fee payment for OUT students. Hence, if students could design a sustainable mechanism to finance the social obligation could promote the payment of fees on time. This study recommends that OUT should conduct training for all undergraduate and non-degree open and distance learning (ODL) students on money management, investment and course selection criteria to promote timely fee payment. Also, OUT should design policies and strategies, which would promote fee payment on time.

Determinants, Timely Fees payment, ODL Students, Tanzania