New HESLB programme in Tanzania to curb loan application errors

Dar es Salaam. Every year, thousands of Tanzanian students aspire to secure loans from the Higher Education Students Loans’ Board (HESLB) to pursue their dreams of higher education.

However, for many, this dream is shattered due to simple yet costly errors made during the loan application process.

Recognising this challenge, HESLB has taken a proactive step to address the issue by launching an educational programme aimed at guiding prospective applicants on how to correctly fill out their loan forms.

The initiative, which kicked off on August 12, 2024, targets students from 44 secondary schools across 11 regions, including Dar es Salaam, Kagera, and Kilimanjaro.

The programme, set to run through August 16, aims to reduce the common mistakes that often prevent deserving students from receiving the financial support they need to continue their education.

One might wonder, why do these mistakes happen in the first place?  According to experts, the problem often lies in the lack of proper understanding of the application guidelines.

“Many students don’t take time to thoroughly read and understand the guidelines provided by HESLB. Instead, they rely on others, like staff at stationery stores, to help them fill out the forms. This is where errors creep in,” explains educational consultant Dr Grace Mmbaga.

HESLB’s Communications Manager, Ms Veneranda Malima, underscored the importance of this new educational programme.

“We’ve encountered numerous cases that make students miss out on loans simply because of trivial errors in their application forms.

These mistakes, though seemingly small, can have a significant impact on their eligibility,” she said.

This programme, she noted, was a way of ensuring that students get prepared much better and avoid making such mistakes.

Not only does the package focus on filling out forms correctly, but also it aims to empower students with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their higher education.

By reaching out to students in Forms Four and Six, HESLB is ensuring that they are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of loan applications, understand the criteria, and meet the qualifications required for both Diploma and Bachelor’s degree levels.

For many students, the stakes are high. Missing out on a loan can mean the difference between continuing their education and being forced to abandon their studies.

“I’ve seen students return to their former schools, desperate and confused, after being denied loans.

They don’t know where they went wrong or what they could have done differently,” shares the head-master of Temeke Secondary School, Ms Ingia Mtenga, in an interview.

This new initiative by HESLB has been widely welcomed by educators and students alike.

However, some experts believe that more needs to be done to address the root cause of these errors.

“Education is key, but we also need to look at the broader context in which these students are operating.

Many come from backgrounds where access to information is limited. They may not have the resources or support systems to guide them through this process,” says an education policy analyst, Dr Michael Ng’ongolo.

Dr Ng’ongolo suggested that HESLB consider extending educational programmes of this kind by including community outreach and giving support to parents.

“Parents play a crucial role in their children’s education, but many are not aware of the application process or the importance of following the guidelines.

If we educate the parents as well, we might see a significant reduction in these errors,” he adds.