How much does a odel (distance learning) student cost in Malawi?

HESLGB loan application fee (non-refundable): K10,000 (conflicting; source: HESLGB press release: opening of the 2026/2027 loan application window). Ask Malawi is an independent guide: confirm at the official office.

What do I need to bring?

Your National ID; MSCE certificate (for ODeL students and students at private institutions); Guarantor Consent Form, signed by your guarantor; Your guarantor's National ID; An affidavit (solemn declaration) sworn before a Commissioner for Oaths; Apply online only, with every supporting document attached: incomplete applications are not processed

Apply on SFMIS during the window and upload every document. The application fee is paid by mobile money inside the online application (no more bank deposits). 2026/27 appeals ran from 24 to 28 August 2026, through SFMIS only.

HESLGB student loan applicationKufunsira ngongole ya ophunzira ya HESLGB

HESLGB student loan application: ODeL (distance learning) student cost in MalawiKufunsira ngongole ya ophunzira ya HESLGB: Wophunzira wa ODeL (patali)

From 2026/27 all ODeL students apply through the standard process.Kuyambira 2026/27 ophunzira onse a ODeL amafunsira mwa njira yachizolowezi. Online only, on SFMIS, during the yearly application window.Pa intaneti kokha, pa SFMIS, nthawi yofunsira ya chaka chilichonse.

Ask Malawi is an independent guide, not a government website. Always confirm at the official source.Ask Malawi ndi kalozera wodziyimira payokha, osati tsamba la boma. Nthawi zonse tsimikizani ku gwero lovomerezeka. SFMIS application portalTsamba lofunsira la SFMIS

Get ready with the free checklist toolKonzekerani ndi chida chaulere cha mndandanda

Official feesMalipiro ovomerezeka

HESLGB loan application fee (non-refundable)Malipiro ofunsira ngongole ya HESLGB (osabwezedwa)K10,000

Sources disagreeMagwero akusiyana SourceGwero: HESLGB press release: opening of the 2026/2027 loan application window · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
The 2026/27 notice says the fee is unchanged at K10,000, paid only by mobile money inside the online application.Chidziwitso cha 2026/27 chikuti malipiro sanasinthe, K10,000, kulipira ndi mobile money mkati mwa fomu ya pa intaneti kokha.
Other published amounts:Ndalama zina zolembedwa:
- K7,500 (older amount still shown on HESLGB's Tuition Loans page (cash deposit slip)ndalama yakale yomwe ikuwonekabe patsamba la Tuition Loans la HESLGB (risiti ya ku banki)): Tuition loans, Higher Education Students' Loans and Grants Board
Confirm the amount at the official office or website before you pay.Tsimikizani ndalamayi ku ofesi kapena tsamba lovomerezeka musanalipire.

Official fees are listed above. Pay only through official channels and always ask for a receipt. Report requests for unofficial payments to the Anti-Corruption Bureau.Malipiro ovomerezeka alembedwa pamwambapa. Lipirani kudzera m'njira zovomerezeka zokha ndipo nthawi zonse funsani lisiti. Nenani kwa Anti-Corruption Bureau ngati wina akupemphani ndalama zosavomerezeka.

Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB): 113, +265 888 208 963 · anti-corruption@acbmw.org · acbmw.org

113 is toll-free. WhatsApp: +265 999 682 053. Head office phone in ACB's 2026 compliance report: +265 1 777 166. Offices also in Blantyre, Mzuzu and Zomba.113 ndi yaulere. WhatsApp: +265 999 682 053. Foni ya likulu mu lipoti la ACB la 2026: +265 1 777 166. Maofesi alinso ku Blantyre, Mzuzu ndi Zomba.

SourceGwero: ACB Updates, Vol 1 Issue 3 (August 2023) · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07

What to bringZoti mutenge

☐ Your National IDChiphaso chanu cha unzika
Names you enter must match your National ID records.Mayina omwe mulemba ayenera kufanana ndi a pa chiphaso chanu.

SourceGwero: HESLGB press release: opening of the 2026/2027 loan application window · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
☐ MSCE certificate (for ODeL students and students at private institutions)Satifiketi ya MSCE (kwa ophunzira a ODeL ndi a masukulu apadera)

SourceGwero: HESLGB press release: opening of the 2026/2027 loan application window · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
☐ Guarantor Consent Form, signed by your guarantorFomu yovomereza ya guarantor, yosainidwa ndi guarantor wanu
Signed or certified by your guarantorLosainidwa kapena kutsimikiziridwa ndi your guarantor. Download it from SFMIS. The guarantor accepts responsibility for the loan if you don't repay.Itsitseni pa SFMIS. Guarantor amavomera kulipira ngongole ngati inu simunabweze.

SourceGwero: HESLGB press release: opening of the 2026/2027 loan application window · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
☐ Your guarantor's National IDChiphaso cha guarantor wanu

SourceGwero: HESLGB press release: opening of the 2026/2027 loan application window · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
☐ An affidavit (solemn declaration) sworn before a Commissioner for OathsAffidavit (chilengezo cholumbira) pamaso pa Commissioner for Oaths
Signed or certified by a Commissioner for OathsLosainidwa kapena kutsimikiziridwa ndi a Commissioner for Oaths. Every applicant needs one, every year. HESLGB says your only costs are travel to the DC's office or Magistrate's Court, the stamping and the application fee; the Malawi Law Society has commissioned affidavits free of charge.Wofunsira aliyense amafunika, chaka chilichonse. HESLGB ikuti ndalama zokhazo ndi zoyendera kupita ku ofesi ya DC kapena bwalo la Magistrate, sitampu ndi malipiro ofunsira; Malawi Law Society inathandiza kusainira ma affidavit kwaulere.

SourceGwero: HESLGB press release: opening of the 2026/2027 loan application window · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
☐ Apply online only, with every supporting document attached: incomplete applications are not processedFunsirani pa intaneti kokha, ndi zikalata zonse: mapempho osakwanira sasamalidwa

SourceGwero: HESLGB press release (page 2): submission of 2026/2027 applications · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07

Can I do this online?Kodi ndingachite izi pa intaneti?

1. OnlinePa intaneti: Apply on SFMIS during the window and upload every document.Funsirani pa SFMIS nthawi yofunsira ndipo ikani zikalata zonse. sfmis.heslgb.mw/
2. OnlinePa intaneti: The application fee is paid by mobile money inside the online application (no more bank deposits).Malipiro ofunsira amaperekedwa ndi mobile money mkati mwa fomu ya pa intaneti (osatinso ku banki). SourceGwero: HESLGB press release: opening of the 2026/2027 loan application window · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
3. In personKupita nokha: Get the affidavit sworn before a Commissioner for Oaths (at the DC's office or Magistrate's Court).Lumbirani affidavit pamaso pa Commissioner for Oaths (ku ofesi ya DC kapena bwalo la Magistrate).
4. OnlinePa intaneti: 2026/27 appeals ran from 24 to 28 August 2026, through SFMIS only.Ma apilo a 2026/27 anali kuyambira 24 mpaka 28 August 2026, kudzera pa SFMIS kokha. SourceGwero: HESLGB: provisional approval of students' loans for the 2026/2027 loan cycle · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07

Applications are processed every year and are not renewed automatically: apply again each year.Mapempho amasamalidwa chaka chilichonse ndipo sapitirira okha: funsiraninso chaka chilichonse. SourceGwero: HESLGB press release (page 2): submission of 2026/2027 applications · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07

How to payMomwe mungalipire

The application fee is paid by mobile money inside the online application (no more bank deposits).Malipiro ofunsira amaperekedwa ndi mobile money mkati mwa fomu ya pa intaneti (osatinso ku banki). SourceGwero: HESLGB press release: opening of the 2026/2027 loan application window · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07

Official officesMaofesi ovomerezeka

Higher Education Students' Loans and Grants Board (HESLGB)Higher Education Students' Loans and Grants Board (HESLGB). Applications and appeals are online only, on SFMIS.Mapempho ndi ma apilo ndi pa intaneti kokha, pa SFMIS.

HESLGB office, LilongweOfesi ya HESLGB, Lilongwe: Mbulo Office Complex, off Mchinji Road, behind Gateway Shopping Mall. Private Bag B417, Capital City, LilongweMbulo Office Complex, pafupi ndi Mchinji Road, kuseri kwa Gateway Shopping Mall. Private Bag B417, Capital City, Lilongwe · +265 999 970 029, +265 999 970 030 · info.loans@heslgb.com

Opening hours are not published officially.Nthawi zotsegulira sizinafalitsidwe movomerezeka.

SituationsMikhalidwe

All government services in KonzekeraNtchito zonse za boma mu Konzekera