The Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Sports introduced the students’ loan scheme starting with the Financial Year 2013/14.
The Higher Education Financing Scheme (Students' Loan Scheme) is a fund providing financing to Ugandan students who have qualified for higher education in recognized institutions of higher learning but are unable to support themselves financially.
The essence of the higher education financing scheme is to support the sector policy objective of increasing access to quality education in view of the large number of brilliant but needy students who are not among the 4,000 students sponsored by government and cannot raise fees for self sponsorship.
Why the Student Loan Scheme?
The introduction of the Students’ Loan Scheme serves the following objectives;
1. To increase equitable access to technical and higher education in Uganda
2. To support highly qualified Ugandan students who may not afford higher education
3. To ensure regional balance in higher education services in Uganda
4. To develop and support courses critical to national development and to ensure quality education in public institutions through quality assurance and supervision
5. To ensure sustainable revolving loans fund.
Therefore the loans are made accessible to the poor and these are identified using the “Means Test” mechanism (a determination of whether an individual or family is eligible for government assistance, based upon whether the individual or family possesses the means to do without that help).
Who is eligible for the scheme?
An applicant shall be considered for funding on condition that they have an admission to an accredited program/course(s) from a chartered University or recognized Higher Education Institution. They are citizens of Uganda and can demonstrate that they cannot afford the costs for higher Education.
What does the Loan cover?
A loan covers the following: Tuition fees, Functional fees and Research fees plus Aids and appliances for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)
In future on availability of funds, a loan may include specified amounts in respect to accommodation or meals, where the Board determines that the funds are sufficient to provide those items. The amount varies from course to course and from Institution to Institution since there is no uniform cost.
Who is currently benefiting from the Loan scheme?
The Students' Loan Scheme is initially offering loans to students pursuing their first degrees in local public and private chartered universities participating in the studnets' loan scheme.
Award of Loans for Academic year 2014/2015
STATUS MALE FEMALE TOTAL
Applied 1668 457 2125
Percentage of Applied 78.5% 21.5% 100%
Loan Beneficiaries 939 262 1201
Percentage of the loan beneficiaries 78% 22% 100%
Over the following years the loan shall be extended in the ratio of 3:2 Humanities to Science programs. The programs to be awarded loans will be decided upon by the Board with the approval of the Minister.
<HT hesfb.go.ug>
