The Higher Education Students' Loans Board (HESLB) in Tanzania has called on loan officers at higher learning institutions to ensure accurate and timely submission of student information. This move aims to facilitate smooth processing and disbursement of loans and grants to students. HESLB Executive Director, Dr. Bill Kiwia, emphasized the importance of accurate student data, proper use of ICT systems, and effective communication with students.
Dr. Kiwia made the call during a working session for loan officers from higher and middle-level education institutions in Mwanza City. He highlighted the need for closer collaboration between HESLB and higher learning institutions to ensure students receive services efficiently. The session aimed to address challenges in loan application and disbursement processes.
The government has increased the budget for higher education loans and grants to 1.06 trillion Tanzanian shillings for the 2026/27 academic year. This move is expected to benefit at least 292,463 students. The increase marks two consecutive record-breaking years in terms of both the budget allocated and the number of loan and grant beneficiaries.
In the 2025/26 academic year, the government allocated 916.7 billion Tanzanian shillings, benefiting 252,773 students. Dr. Kiwia attributed the increase to government efforts to enable qualified young people to access higher education and acquire professional skills. The budget increase reflects the government's commitment to supporting students in accessing higher education.
Dr. Kiwia commended the minister responsible for higher education for leadership that had facilitated the continued increase in the budget for loans and grants. He also thanked the HESLB Board of Directors Chairman, Prof. Hamisi Dihenga, and board members for their oversight, which enabled the board to effectively execute its mandate on loan disbursement and repayment.
Mwanza Regional Commissioner, CP Salum Hamduni, said the government remained committed to ensuring students accessed higher education through loans and grants. In the 2025/26 academic year, eight higher education institutions in Mwanza had 17,214 students benefiting from loans worth 54.8 billion Tanzanian shillings. Seven middle-level colleges also benefited from the program.
The increased budget is expected to raise the number of beneficiaries in the 2026/27 academic year. CP Hamduni noted that the number of students and the amount of funds disbursed to support them was significant and expected to rise in the new academic year. The government aims to support students in accessing higher education and acquiring professional skills.
Key points
- The government has increased the budget for higher education loans and grants to 1.06 trillion Tanzanian shillings for the 2026/27 academic year.
- At least 292,463 students are expected to benefit from the increased budget.
- HESLB urges loan officers to submit accurate student data on time for smooth loan processing and disbursement.
