CALL FOR STUDENTS’ LOAN APPLICATIONS FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2026/27

1.0 BACKGROUND
The Higher Education Students Financing Scheme is established by the Higher Education Students’ Financing Amendment Act 2024 to administer the Students’ Loan Scheme. The Law mandates the Ministry of Education and Sports to
provide Loans and Scholarships to Students who wish to pursue Higher Education in Uganda.
The objectives of the Higher Education Students’ Financing Scheme are: –
i. to increase equitable access to Higher Education in Uganda;
ii. to support highly qualified students who may not afford Higher Education;
iii. to support critical programmes for national development;
iv. to ensure regional balance in Higher Education services in Uganda with emphasis to the District Quota distribution of loans;
v. to create a revolving fund.
2.0 THE STUDENTS’ LOAN APPLICATIONS DEADLINE
The Ministry of Education and Sports therefore invites applications for study loans under the Students’ Loan Scheme from
eligible Ugandan students who have been admitted in their first year under the listed Undergraduate Diploma and Degree
programmes for the Academic Year 2026/27 in the Public Universities, Private Chartered Universities and the listed Other
Tertiary Institutions(OTIs). The ONLINE Application will commence on Monday 25th May 2026 at 00:00 hours local
time and the deadline for receiving applications is Friday 17th July, 2026 at 23:59 hours local time. NB: Incomplete
and late submitted applications shall not be processed.
3.0 STUDENTS’ LOAN COVERAGE
i. The Students’ Loan shall cover tuition fees and functional fees. The loan shall also cover Aids and Appliances for persons with disabilities, while research funds may be covered as and when budget allows.
ii. Student loans shall strictly be awarded to students joining Higher Education Institutions in First Year.
iii. The Loans will be awarded to applicants pursuing Undergraduate Diploma and Undergraduate Degree programmes only.
4.0 APPROVED PROGRAMMES FOR SUPPORT IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2025/26
The Ministry will support applicants to pursue approved undergraduate degree and diploma programmes on the Scheme in the listed 14 key academic disciplines;
These are: –
i. Agriculture & Conservation Sciences
ii. Engineering
iii. Laboratory Science Programmes
iv. Human Medicine and Health Care Management Sciences
v. Nursing and Midwifery
vi. Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
vii. Animal Sciences
viii. Oil and Gas Engineering
ix. Science Education
x. Special Needs Education
xi. Statistics
xii. Computer Science and Information Technology
xiii. Pure Sciences
xiv. Tourism and Hospitality Programmes
Persons with Disabilities are eligible to apply to pursue any accredited Programme of their choice including
Humanities

5.0 PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES PARTICIPATING IN THE STUDENTS’ LOAN SCHEME FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2026/27

1. Busitema University
2. Gulu University
3. Kabale University
4. Kyambogo University
5. Lira University
6. Makerere University
7. Mbarara University of Science & Technology
8. Mountains of the Moon University – Fort portal
9. Muni University
10. Soroti University
11. Makerere University Business School (an affiliate of Makerere University)
12. Uganda National Institute of Teacher Education (UNITE)

6.0 PRIVATE CHARTERED UNIVERSITIES APPROVED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STUDENTS’ LOAN SCHEME FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2026/27

1. African Bible University
2. Africa Renewal University.
3. Bishop Stuart University
4. Bugema University
5. International University of East Africa
6. ISBAT University
7. Islamic University in Uganda
8. Kampala International University
9. Kampala University
10. Muteesa | Royal University
11. Ndejie University
12. Nkumba University
13. Uganda Christian University
14. Uganda Martyrs University
15. University of Kisubi
16. Victoria University
17. Clarke International University
18. Fins Medical University
19. Valley University of Science & Technology
20. King Ceasor University
21. Metropolitan International University

7.0 APPROVED OTHER TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS PARTICIPATING IN THE SCHEME

Institutions under Uganda Health Professions Assessment Board

1. Arua School of Comprehensive Nursing
2. Butabika Psychiatric Nursing School
3. Butabika School of Psychiatry Clinical Medicine
4. Fort Portal College of Health Sciences
5. Gulu College of Health Sciences
6. Health Tutors’ College – Mulago
7. Jinja School of Ophthalmic Clinical Medicine
8. Jinja School of Nursing & Midwifery
9. Jinja Medical Laboratory Training School
10. Kabale School of Comprehensive Nursing
11. Lira School of Comprehensive Nursing
12. Masaka School of Comprehensive Nursing
13. Mbale College of Health Sciences
14. Mbale School of Hygiene / Environmental Health Science
15. Mulago School of Nursing & Midwifery
16. Public Health Nurses College
17. Soroti School of Comprehensive Nursing
18. Uganda Institute of Allied Health & Management Sciences (Mulago Paramedical School)

Institutions under Uganda Vocational & Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB)

1. Bukalasa Agricultural College
2. Institute of Survey and Land Management
3. Fisheries Training Institute
4. Nakawa Vocational Training College
5. National Meteorological Training School
6. Nyabyeya Forestry College
7. Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute
8. Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology
9. Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba
10. Uganda Technical College, Bushenyi
11. Uganda Technical College, Elgon
12. Uganda Technical College,Kicwamba
13. Uganda Technical College, Kyema
14. Uganda Technical College, Lira
15. Uganda Wildlife Research & Training Institute – Kasese

9.0 HOW TO APPLY
The Loan Application process is solely ONLINE and can be accessed through the Ministry of Education and Sports
website https://www.education.go.ug/higher-education-students-financing-scheme/ then Click On ApplyNow.
Create an Account by registering with the System on URL https://ilmis.go.ug to access the online Loan Application.
Complete all the sections of the application and attach all the required documents with their sizes not more than 1MB.
Note:
i. No hard copy application forms shall be received.
ii. Applicants shall be required to pay a non-refundable Loan Processing Fee of UShs. 53,000 inclusive of Bank charges
to the HESFB LOAN APPLICATION FEE, Account No. 3740300006 in Centenary Bank or 01363669053643 at DFCU
Bank. The Payment Receipts must be scanned and attached during the Loan Application process.
iii. The Maximum Loan Limit per annum is capped at Ushs. 7,600,000, ANY ACADEMIC PROGRAMME COSTED ABOVE
THIS LIMIT SHALL NOT BE FUNDED by the Ministry of Education and Sports.
iv. Applicants who may encounter challenges in the application process can seek help by calling 0392174999 or
0414255300 or through the Social Media pages of the Ministry of Education and Sports or contact the Head – Higher
Education Students’ Financing Secretariat (HESFS) 7th Floor, Lourdel Towers, Plot 1 – Lourdel Road Nakasero, P. O.
Box 16810, Wandegeya- Kampala, Uganda URL: www.education.go.ug, E-mail: hesfs@education.go.ug; X – handles –
@Educ_SportsUg; @HESFSUG, instagram.com: educsportsug/
10.0 LOAN APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

1) A copy of the Admission Letter for an approved course from the participating Higher Education Institution.

2) A copy of any one of the following identification documents: National ID, Ugandan passport, Ugandan driving permit, or NIN confirmation letter from NIRA

3) Copies of Parents’ National IDs

4) Copies of Death Certificate (In case parents are deceased)

5) Copies of an Applicant’s Academic certificates or result slips and transcripts

6) A copy of the Birth Certificate

7) A copy of the recent Passport Photo

8 In case of disability of the applicant or a parent, attach full picture, Doctors Report, and Letter from your NUDIPU (National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda) District Union

9 Evidence of school fees paid in A’ level or O’ level (for certificate applicants)

10) Evidence of Scholarship or Bursary in former school (Where applicable)

11) Proof of payment of the non-refundable Loan Processing fee of UGX 53,000 inclusive of Bank charges

12) A sketch map to the applicant’s current address/residence

13) A sketch map to the applicant’s home of origin (If different from current address)

14) A completed recommendation form (to be downloaded during application) endorsed by the Local Council I (LC1), Head Teacher of previous Secondary School, and Sub-county Chief / Town Clerk

PLEASE NOTE:
i. An Applicant who makes a false statement to the Ministry of Education and Sports and is discovered loses the opportunity of being funded. All submitted information shall be verified for it’s accuracy.
ii. An applicant MUST NOT be a beneficiary of any other Scholarship or funding opportunity.
iii. The Loan Processing Fee is strictly paid in the Bank on the provided account numbers.
iv. Names of the successful applicants will be published in the Print media, the Ministry website, and personal communication via SMS.
v. Deadline for application is Friday 17th July 2026 at 23:59 hours local time. Late applications shall not be considered

The Ministry reserves the right to verify the authenticity and accuracy of all information and documents submitted during the application process and to select successful applicants based on the approved eligibility and award criteria. The Ministry further reserves the right to reject, disqualify, withdraw, or terminate any application or awarded loan where false, forged misleading, or incomplete information is detected.
No payment should be made to any individual for purposes of securing the student loan.
PLEASE BE AWARE OF FRAUDSTERS. PLEASE AVOID USING ANY THIRD PARTY FOR PURPOSES OF SECURING THE STUDENT LOAN.