By Chisomo Phiri
The Higher Education Students’ Loans and Grants Board (HESLGB) has widened its loans and grants programme to reach more students in tertiary institutions, including those enrolled under Open, Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) systems.
Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, the Board’s spokesperson Mercy Chijere said the number of beneficiaries has been increased from 34,000 to 38,000, with K42 billion earmarked for disbursement in the current cycle.
Chijere said the decision to include ODeL students was informed by growing evidence that many learners in the category continue to face financial barriers in accessing higher education.
She also raised concern over the low repayment rate among some graduates after completing their studies, saying this was affecting the sustainability of the fund.
To address the challenge, she said the Board is working with employers to ensure that loan repayments are deducted directly from the salaries of employed beneficiaries on a monthly basis.
The application period for the loans and grants programme runs from May 25 to June 24, 2026.
HELSGBÂ is a government institution responsible for providing financial assistance to students pursuing higher education.
It was created to help improve access to universities and colleges by offering loans, and in some cases grants, to students who are unable to meet the cost of tuition and related expenses.
The board operates under the Ministry of Education and focuses mainly on students enrolled in public universities and other accredited tertiary institutions in the country.
Its work also includes recovering loans from graduates after they complete their studies, ensuring that the funds can be reused to support other students in future intakes.
Overall, the loans board plays an important role in expanding access to higher education in the country, particularly for students from less privileged backgrounds.
