Loans to Post Graduate Students PDF Print E-mail

Cost sharing in higher education was introduced in Tanzania through the Higher Education Policy of 1999. 

  1.0 INTRODUCTION

Cost sharing in higher education was introduced in Tanzania through the Higher Education Policy of 1999. The policy requires parents/guardians and other stakeholders to contribute to the cost of higher education by sponsoring students, establishing Higher Education institutions and partnering with the Government in the area of higher education.

The Higher Education policy of 1999 introduced the concept of students' loans fund which would be available for borrowing by higher education students. In implementing the Higher Education policy of 1999, the Higher Education Students' Loans Board (HESLB) was established under Act No. 9 of 2004 and commenced operations in July, 2005. The Board is mandated to extend loans and to collect repayments for all loans issued to students since 1994 so as to make the scheme successful and sustainable.

The HESLB provides loans to students pursuing Advanced/Higher Diplomas and first degree studies at accredited higher education institutions in and outside the country. Loans are provided to students of both public and private higher learning institutions. Beginning academic year 2008/2009, loans are also issued to students pursuing masters and PhD. programmes.

2.0 LOANS TO POST GRADUATE STUDENTS

In order to enhance availability of academic staff in local higher learning institutions, a limited number of loans are being issued to academic staff of higher learning institutions pursuing masters and PhD courses tenable in the country.

Due to budget constraints, loans for post graduate students for the academic year 2008/2009 were issued to academic staff of the public higher learning institutions only. With effect from the 2009/2010 academic year, such loans will also be issued to academic staff of private higher learning institutions.

3.0 ELIGIBILITY FOR LOANS

Loan applicants for masters and PhD. programmes must meet the following conditions:

(i) Must be a Tanzanian

(ii) Must have been admitted at an accredited higher learning institution for a Masters or PhD. degree course tenable in Tanzania.

(iii) Must be a person who has no financial assistance from other sources to cover the items of cost for which the application is made.

(iv) Must complete loan application forms (SLF4 and SLF2)

(v) Must hold a first degree or advanced diploma with minimum of upper second class (for those intending to pursue Masters degree) or Masters degree of upper second class (for those intending to pursue PhD. degrees.

(vi) Must be a teaching academic staff at an accredited higher learning institution in Tanzania

(vii) Must bear a recommendation letter from the employer, addressed to the Board supporting the request for post graduate loan

(viii) The applicant must have started to repay a previous loan, if she/he is already a student loan beneficiary.

 4.0 SUPPORTING/VERIFICATION DOCUMENTS

The following documents must be attached to the application forms.

S/N

DOCUMENTS TO BE ATTACHED

JUSTIFICATION

i.

Birth certificates or affidavit

Citizenship

ii.

Death certificates

Orphanage/Single parent

iii.

Doctor's recommendation

Disabilities

iv.

Certified copies of first degree/advanced diploma

Academic qualifications

v.

Letter of recommendation from the employer (Public/Private higher learning institution)

Proof of employment

vi.

Copies of admission letters

Proof of admission

vii.

Certified salary slips

Proof of repayment of commencement of repayment of previous loan

5.0 HOW TO APPLY

  1. Applicants should submit a written application in the prescribed forms (SLF4 & SLF2) which shall form the basis of the loan agreement between the Board and the applicant.
  2. Loan application forms can be collected from any of the following points:-

(i.)  At the Board Offices at the following address:

Higher Education Students' Loans Board,

Tirdo Complex,

Kimweri Road, Msasani,

P.O.Box 76068,

DAR ES SALAAM

(ii.)  At the nearest District Post Office

(iii.) At the Office of the Deans of Students of all Higher Learning Institutions


6.0 MODE OF SUBMISSION OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS

Dully and properly filled in forms (SLF4 & SLF2) should be submitted through the nearest post office or by hand or through the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) to the following address on or before the prescribed submission deadline:

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,

HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS' LOANS BOARD,

P.O.BOX 76068,

DAR ES SALAAM