Student loan readiness (HESLGB)Kukonzekera ngongole ya ophunzira (HESLGB)
Prepare a correct, on-time application to the Higher Education Students' Loans and Grants Board.Konzekerani pempho lolondola ndi la pa nthawi ku Higher Education Students' Loans and Grants Board.
8-9 quick questionsMafunso 8-9 achidule About 3 minPafupifupi mphindi 3 Official sourcesKuchokera ku magwero a boma Works offlineImagwira ntchito popanda intaneti
The step-by-step quiz needs JavaScript. The full guide below has the same official information.Mafunso a sitepe ndi sitepe amafuna JavaScript. Chitsogozo chonse cha m'munsimu chili ndi zambiri zovomerezeka zomwezo.
Full guide: official fees, documents and stepsChitsogozo chonse: ndalama za boma, zikalata ndi masitepe
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. HESLGB official websiteTsamba lovomerezeka la HESLGB
Application windowNthawi yofunsira
Last window (2026/27): 2026-05-25 – 2026-06-24.Nthawi yomaliza (2026/27): 2026-05-25 – 2026-06-24.
Next window:Nthawi yotsatira: To be announcedIdzalengezedwa
HESLGB has not announced the next application window. Windows have followed the release of MSCE results and university selection; watch heslgb.mw.HESLGB sinalengeze nthawi yotsatira yofunsira. Nthawi zimabwera pambuyo pa zotsatira za MSCE ndi kusankhidwa ku mayunivesite; yang'anirani heslgb.mw.
HESLGB confirms the 24 June 2026 closing date and a 30-day window (notice posted 24 May 2026). The 25 May opening date comes from news reports.HESLGB ikutsimikiza tsiku lotseka la 24 June 2026 ndi nthawi ya masiku 30 (chidziwitso chinatulutsidwa pa 24 May 2026). Tsiku lotsegula la 25 May likuchokera ku nkhani.
SourceGwero: HESLGB: loan applications close on 24 June 2026 · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
Eligibility self-checkKudziyesa ngati ndinu oyenerera
Compares your answers with HESLGB's published criteria. It cannot tell you your chances: HESLGB publishes no scoring formula.Ikuyerekeza mayankho anu ndi malamulo ofalitsidwa a HESLGB. Singakuuzeni mwayi wanu: HESLGB sinafalitse njira yowerengera.
- You are selected to, or already study, an accredited generic degree programme at an accredited institution (public or private). Only students at approved institutions can apply.Mwasankhidwa kapena mukuphunzira kale digiri yovomerezeka ku sukulu yovomerezeka (ya boma kapena yapadera). Ophunzira a masukulu ovomerezeka okha ndi omwe angafunsire. SourceGwero: HESLGB press release: opening of the 2026/2027 loan application window · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
- You did not attend an elite school, unless you have evidence that you are needy.Simunaphunzire ku sukulu ya olemera, pokhapokha muli ndi umboni woti ndinu wosowa. SourceGwero: Upkeep loans, Higher Education Students' Loans and Grants Board · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
- You are a needy Malawian with a National ID.Ndinu Mmalawi wosowa ndipo muli ndi chiphaso cha unzika. SourceGwero: Tuition loans, Higher Education Students' Loans and Grants Board · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
- You can show that you are needy and deserving.Mungathe kuwonetsa kuti ndinu wosowa ndi woyenerera. SourceGwero: HESLGB press release: opening of the 2026/2027 loan application window · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
- You are not fully funded by another organisation or a scholarship.Simulipiridwa kwathunthu ndi bungwe lina kapena scholarship. SourceGwero: Upkeep loans, Higher Education Students' Loans and Grants Board · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
- ODeL students: an MSCE certificate is mandatory, and everyone (including former SAVE project students) applies through the standard process from 2026/27.Ophunzira a ODeL: satifiketi ya MSCE ndi yokakamizidwa, ndipo aliyense (kuphatikizapo amene ankathandizidwa ndi SAVE) amafunsira mwa njira yachizolowezi kuyambira 2026/27. SourceGwero: HESLGB press release: opening of the 2026/2027 loan application window · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
- Continuing students: you passed the exams needed to advance to the next year. Students repeating a year or withdrawn on academic grounds are removed at vetting.Ophunzira opitiriza: munakhoza mayeso ofunikira kupita chaka chotsatira. Obwereza chaka kapena ochotsedwa chifukwa cha maphunziro amachotsedwa pa kuunika. SourceGwero: Tuition loans, Higher Education Students' Loans and Grants Board · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
- First-year students: six credits in MSCE or its equivalent.Ophunzira a chaka choyamba: ma credit asanu ndi limodzi mu MSCE kapena zofanana nazo. Sources disagreeMagwero akusiyana HESLGB says 'six credits in MSCE or its equivalent' and does not mention English. NCHE's entry rules for public universities say six credits including English Language.HESLGB ikuti 'ma credit asanu ndi limodzi mu MSCE kapena zofanana' ndipo sinena za Chingerezi. Malamulo a NCHE olowera m'mayunivesite a boma akuti ma credit asanu ndi limodzi kuphatikizapo Chingerezi. SourceGwero: Tuition loans, Higher Education Students' Loans and Grants Board · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
HESLGB's definition of needyTanthauzo la wosowa la HESLGB
- A poor orphanMwana wamasiye wosauka
- A poor applicant with a disability, or whose parents have a disability and are poorWofunsira wosauka wolumala, kapena amene makolo ake ndi olumala ndi osauka
- From a poor familyWochokera m'banja losauka
- From a low-income family earning the national minimum wage or belowWochokera m'banja lopeza malipiro ochepa kapena osapitirira malipiro ochepera a dziko
SourceGwero: HESLGB brochure: definition of needy · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
Documents checklistMndandanda wa zikalata
- 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
- Student ID or admission letter (first-year students)ID ya wophunzira kapena kalata yolowera (ophunzira a chaka choyamba) (MUBAS first-years apply with the registration number in their admission letter.Ophunzira a chaka choyamba a MUBAS amafunsira ndi nambala yolembetsera yomwe ili m'kalata yawo.) 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 (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 (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
- 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
- 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
Application feeMalipiro ofunsira
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HESLGB loan application fee (non-refundable)Malipiro ofunsira ngongole ya HESLGB (osabwezedwa)K10,000Sources 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
InstitutionsMasukulu
HESLGB does not publish a current list of approved institutions. This list contains the institutions named in HESLGB's 2025/2026 beneficiary and appeal lists; SFMIS showed 35 accredited institutions. 'Public university' marks the six public universities named by NCHE. Check accreditation with NCHE before you commit.HESLGB sinafalitse mndandanda wa masukulu ovomerezeka wa pano. Mndandandawu uli ndi masukulu omwe ali m'mindandanda ya HESLGB ya 2025/2026; SFMIS inawonetsa masukulu 35 ovomerezeka. 'Yunivesite ya boma' ikutanthauza mayunivesite asanu ndi limodzi a boma otchulidwa ndi NCHE. Tsimikizani ndi NCHE musanadzipereke. SourceGwero: HESLGB 2025/2026 provisional loan lists · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
NCHE: Malawi has six public universities: KUHeS, LUANAR, MUBAS, MUST, MZUNI and UNIMA.NCHE: Malawi ili ndi mayunivesite asanu ndi limodzi a boma: KUHeS, LUANAR, MUBAS, MUST, MZUNI ndi UNIMA. SourceGwero: NCHE: public universities selection · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
In July 2024 NCHE withdrew the accreditation of Millennium University (and Skyway University) until they comply with its standards.Mu July 2024 NCHE inachotsa chivomerezo cha Millennium University (ndi Skyway University) mpaka zitatsatira malamulo ake. SourceGwero: NCHE press release (19 July 2024): registration and accreditation of institutions · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
Appeals guideKalozera wa apilo
Appeals open for about one to two weeks after the provisional lists are published. In 2026/27 they ran from 24 to 28 August 2026; in 2025/26 from 18 to 29 August 2025.Ma apilo amatsegulidwa kwa sabata imodzi kapena ziwiri pambuyo pa mndandanda woyamba. Mu 2026/27 anali 24 mpaka 28 August 2026; mu 2025/26 anali 18 mpaka 29 August 2025. SourceGwero: HESLGB: provisional approval of students' loans for the 2026/2027 loan cycle · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
Appeals are lodged through SFMIS only.Ma apilo amaperekedwa kudzera pa SFMIS kokha.
Common reasons applications failZifukwa zomwe mapempho amalephera
- Missing supporting documents: applications without the required documents are not processed.Zikalata zosowa: mapempho opanda zikalata zofunika sasamalidwa. SourceGwero: HESLGB press release (page 2): submission of 2026/2027 applications · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
- Names that don't match your National ID records.Mayina osafanana ndi a pa chiphaso chanu. SourceGwero: HESLGB press release (page 2): submission of 2026/2027 applications · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
- Missing details such as the name of the institution.Zambiri zosowa monga dzina la sukulu. SourceGwero: HESLGB press release (5 February 2025): approved loan appeals for 2024/2025 · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
- An institution that is not accredited.Sukulu yosavomerezeka. SourceGwero: HESLGB press release (5 February 2025): approved loan appeals for 2024/2025 · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
- Already on a scholarship, repeating a year, withdrawn on academic grounds, or with other funding (removed at vetting).Muli kale ndi scholarship, mukubwereza chaka, munachotsedwa chifukwa cha maphunziro, kapena muli ndi thandizo lina (amachotsedwa pa kuunika). SourceGwero: Tuition loans, Higher Education Students' Loans and Grants Board · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
What to prepareZoti mukonzekere
- Check the provisional list for your institution on heslgb.mw as soon as it is published.Yang'anani mndandanda woyamba wa sukulu yanu pa heslgb.mw ukangotulutsidwa.
- Re-scan any missing or unclear document, especially the affidavit and the signed guarantor form.Jambulaninso chikalata chilichonse chosowa kapena chosamveka, makamaka affidavit ndi fomu yosainidwa ya guarantor.
- Make sure every name matches your National ID exactly.Onetsetsani kuti dzina lililonse likufanana ndendende ndi la pa chiphaso chanu.
- Submit within the appeal dates: late appeals are not considered.Perekani apilo m'masiku ake: ma apilo ochedwa sasamalidwa.
Other funding avenuesNjira zina zopezera ndalama
- HESLGB grants: from second year, for academically outstanding students, selected from lists sent by university registrars.Ma grant a HESLGB: kuyambira chaka chachiwiri, kwa ophunzira ochita bwino kwambiri, osankhidwa kuchokera ku mindandanda ya ma registrar. SourceGwero: Students' grants, HESLGB · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
- SAVE project (World Bank): supported 500 students in 2026/27; ODeL loans in education, health, agriculture, energy, ICT and industry.Ntchito ya SAVE (World Bank): inathandiza ophunzira 500 mu 2026/27; ngongole za ODeL pa maphunziro, zaumoyo, ulimi, mphamvu, ICT ndi mafakitale. SourceGwero: HESLGB: provisional approval of students' loans for the 2026/2027 loan cycle · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
- FDH Bank sponsored 154 students in 2026/27 through HESLGB.FDH Bank inalipirira ophunzira 154 mu 2026/27 kudzera ku HESLGB. SourceGwero: HESLGB: provisional approval of students' loans for the 2026/2027 loan cycle · checked 2026-11-07kuyang'aniridwa 2026-11-07
- We found no official guidelines for university bursaries or Constituency Development Fund (CDF) bursaries for higher education. Ask your institution's Dean of Students or your District Council what is available.Sitinapeze malangizo a boma a ma bursary a ku yunivesite kapena a CDF a maphunziro apamwamba. Funsani Dean of Students wa sukulu yanu kapena District Council zomwe zilipo.
HESLGB's July 2024 manual mentions an HESLGB mobile app, but no official download link is published. Apply on SFMIS.Buku la HESLGB la July 2024 likutchula pulogalamu ya foni ya HESLGB, koma palibe ulalo wovomerezeka wotsitsira. Funsirani pa SFMIS.
Frequently asked questionsMafunso omwe amafunsidwa kawirikawiri
Who qualifies for a HESLGB student loan?Ndani amayenera kulandira ngongole ya HESLGB?
You are selected to, or already study, an accredited generic degree programme at an accredited institution (public or private). Only students at approved institutions can apply. You did not attend an elite school, unless you have evidence that you are needy. You are a needy Malawian with a National ID. You can show that you are needy and deserving. You are not fully funded by another organisation or a scholarship. ODeL students: an MSCE certificate is mandatory, and everyone (including former SAVE project students) applies through the standard process from 2026/27. Continuing students: you passed the exams needed to advance to the next year. Students repeating a year or withdrawn on academic grounds are removed at vetting. First-year students: six credits in MSCE or its equivalent.Mwasankhidwa kapena mukuphunzira kale digiri yovomerezeka ku sukulu yovomerezeka (ya boma kapena yapadera). Ophunzira a masukulu ovomerezeka okha ndi omwe angafunsire. Simunaphunzire ku sukulu ya olemera, pokhapokha muli ndi umboni woti ndinu wosowa. Ndinu Mmalawi wosowa ndipo muli ndi chiphaso cha unzika. Mungathe kuwonetsa kuti ndinu wosowa ndi woyenerera. Simulipiridwa kwathunthu ndi bungwe lina kapena scholarship. Ophunzira a ODeL: satifiketi ya MSCE ndi yokakamizidwa, ndipo aliyense (kuphatikizapo amene ankathandizidwa ndi SAVE) amafunsira mwa njira yachizolowezi kuyambira 2026/27. Ophunzira opitiriza: munakhoza mayeso ofunikira kupita chaka chotsatira. Obwereza chaka kapena ochotsedwa chifukwa cha maphunziro amachotsedwa pa kuunika. Ophunzira a chaka choyamba: ma credit asanu ndi limodzi mu MSCE kapena zofanana nazo.
When is the HESLGB loan application window?Kodi nthawi yofunsira ngongole ya HESLGB ndi liti?
The last window (2026/27) ran from 25 May 2026 to 24 June 2026. HESLGB has not announced the next application window. Windows have followed the release of MSCE results and university selection; watch heslgb.mw.Nthawi yapitayi (2026/27): 25 May 2026 to 24 June 2026. HESLGB sinalengeze nthawi yotsatira yofunsira. Nthawi zimabwera pambuyo pa zotsatira za MSCE ndi kusankhidwa ku mayunivesite; yang'anirani heslgb.mw.
How much is the HESLGB application fee?Kodi ndalama yofunsira ku HESLGB ndi zingati?
HESLGB loan application fee (non-refundable): K10,000.Malipiro ofunsira ngongole ya HESLGB (osabwezedwa): K10,000.
Can I appeal a HESLGB loan decision?Kodi ndingachite apilo pa chigamulo cha HESLGB?
Appeals open for about one to two weeks after the provisional lists are published. In 2026/27 they ran from 24 to 28 August 2026; in 2025/26 from 18 to 29 August 2025. Appeals are lodged through SFMIS only.Ma apilo amatsegulidwa kwa sabata imodzi kapena ziwiri pambuyo pa mndandanda woyamba. Mu 2026/27 anali 24 mpaka 28 August 2026; mu 2025/26 anali 18 mpaka 29 August 2025. Ma apilo amaperekedwa kudzera pa SFMIS kokha.
Is Ask Malawi a government website?Kodi Ask Malawi ndi webusayiti ya boma?
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.
Privacy: no account, no tracking. Everything you tick or type stays on this phone or computer and is never sent anywhere.Chinsinsi: palibe akaunti, palibe kutsatira. Chilichonse chimene mwasankha kapena kulemba chimakhala pa foni kapena kompyuta iyi ndipo sichitumizidwa kulikonse.