The Higher Education Students’ Loans and Grants Board (HESLGB) continues to play a key role in expanding access to higher education in Malawi through its annual loan programme.
The initiative supports students from low-income backgrounds by providing financial aid to cover tuition, accommodation, and other academic expenses. Each year, thousands of students rely on these loans to continue their studies, especially in public universities where many face financial barriers.
The loan appeal process serves as a safety net for students who were initially excluded due to administrative delays, incomplete documentation, or changes in financial circumstances.
HESLGB has approved 2,700 student loan appeals for the 2025/2026 loan cycle, providing a second chance to students initially excluded from the loan beneficiary list. Each year, HESLGB opens a loan application period to allow students to apply for financial support covering tuition and living costs. After the provisional list of successful applicants is published, HESLGB allows students who missed the application deadline, have experienced financial changes, or believe they were unfairly excluded, to submit appeals for review.
This year, HESLGB received 3,129 appeals from students in public and private universities and colleges. Following a comprehensive review process, 2,700 appeals were approved, resulting in a success rate of 86.3 percent. Out of these, 2,575 of the approved appeals (95.4 percent) came from students in public higher education institutions, while 125 (4.6 percent) were from those attending private institutions.
The total financial commitment for the approved appeals amounts to MK2.1 billion. Of this, MK2.02 billion will support students in public institutions, while MK89.1 million has been allocated to students in private universities.
However, not all appeals were successful. 429 appeals (13.7 percent) were rejected because they failed to meet the eligibility requirements specified in HESLGB regulations. Of these, 411 originated from students in public institutions and 18 from private institutions.
The names of students whose appeals have been provisionally approved can be accessed through the offices of the Registrars or Deans of Students at their respective institutions. The full list is also available on the HESLGB website under the Resources tab.
HESLGB has reaffirmed its dedication to promoting fair access to higher education by providing sustainable student loans and grants. Students are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the loan application requirements and procedures to improve their chances of success in future loan cycles.
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