HESLB urges timely loan applications as over 63,000 students submit requests
HESLB executive director Dr Bill Kiwia PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- HESLB has allocated a budget of Sh916.5 billion for the 2025/2026 academic year, targeting support for 252,773 students, including 88,320 first-year and 164,453 continuing students.
Dar es Salaam. The Higher Education Students’ Loans Board (HESLB) has urged prospective loan applicants for the 2025/2026 academic year to submit their requests promptly, as over 62,000 students have already applied.
Speaking on Monday, August 11, 2025, HESLB Executive Director Dr Bill Kiwia said that by 11 August, 62,950 applications had been received from a total of 107,059 students registered on the board’s online loan system.
“These applications cover students seeking loans for diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate diploma in legal practice, master’s and doctoral programmes. The response reflects a positive trend among eligible students intending to join higher learning and mid-level institutions nationwide,” Dr Kiwia said.
HESLB has allocated a budget of Sh916.5 billion for the 2025/2026 academic year, targeting support for 252,773 students, including 88,320 first-year and 164,453 continuing students.
Dr Kiwia also provided an update on the ‘Samia Scholarship’ programme, which supports top-performing science students from the Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (ACSEE) pursuing STEM and medical-related fields.
“We expect 1,000 students to benefit this year. So far, 603 have completed and submitted their applications out of 889 who began the process,” he noted.
Recognising that some applicants are currently undergoing mandatory National Service training, Dr Kiwia assured that HESLB, in collaboration with relevant authorities, will facilitate their online applications within the deadline.
The loan application window opened on 15 June and will close on 31 August 2025, with no extensions.
“We urge applicants to submit their forms on time to avoid last-minute congestion. No extensions will be granted,” he emphasised.
Applicants can find relevant information on HESLB’s official website (www.heslb.go.tz), social media platforms, email ([email protected]), customer service hotline (0736 66 55 33), and WhatsApp (0739 66 55 33).
Dr Kiwia advised students to follow application guidelines carefully, submit accurate information, and regularly check their Student’s Individual Permanent Account (SIPA) for updates.
“To the media, your cooperation is vital in encouraging eligible students to apply within the given timeframe,” he said.
