The government has since stopped offering higher education bursaries (grants) but rather offers student loans and scholarships which are administered, granted and recovered by the higher education loans and scholarships board (HELSB), formerly Bursaries Committee (BC). As opposed to bursaries which did not require to be paid back, student loans are required to be paid back upon completion of studies and entry into formal employment.

In order to qualify for a student loan under HELSB, an individual needs to be a Zambian citizen, accepted into a Zambian University/College and completed their secondary school (grade 12) during the last three years prior to admission into university. There is also an age limit of 24 years for school leavers.

The student loan covers tuition fees, accommodation fees, book allowance, research or project allowance and meal allowance. Students are required to specify what they wish the loan to cover and the level of support required, whether 100%, 75%, 50%, or 25%. The specific level of support offered to each individual is determined by HELSB. At the time or writing this, HELSB is currently supporting students at UNZA, CBU, Kapasa Makasa University, Mulungushi University, Mukuba University, Chalimbana University and Kwame Nkuruma University.

HELSB also administers merit-based scholarships to study abroad in countries such as the UK, China, Russia, India, Morocco, Egypt and Algeria. These scholarships are offered at undergraduate, master’s and PhD level in various fields of study. To be eligible, you need to be Zambian citizen with a green NRC. Undergraduate applicants need to have completed grade 12, Master’s applicants should hold a relevant bachelor’s degree whereas PhD applicants need to hold a relevant Master’s degree.

HELSB periodically advertises on their social media platforms and in the print media (newspapers) when the scholarships and student loans are on offer. Those interested are encouraged to be on the look out for such adverts in order not to miss out on any deadlines. Documents needed to be submitted during application are specified in the adverts. In general, for undergraduates these include an application letter, and photocopies of the university admission letter, grade 12 certificate or statement of results, applicant’s NRC, parent’s NRC and passport size photos.

Applicants who are particularly vulnerable and wish to apply for 100% sponsorship are advised to visit their local social welfare offices to obtain appropriate recommendations and should also attach all necessary documents in support of their vulnerability. Such documents maybe death certificate of parent in the case of orphans, medical report in the case of students with disabilities, letter from local leadership etc.

For more information kindly visit HELSB website at http://www.helsb.gov.zm or contact them on +260 211 250726.

References

Student Loans (2020). Retrieved from Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board-Zambia Website: http://www.helsb.gov.zm