Paying for higher education in Congo-Kinshasa
In the DRC there is no general public student loan: academic fees, often set in dollars at UNIKIN, Lubumbashi or private universities, are paid by families, sometimes thanks to a loan taken out by a salaried parent or to a scholarship.
No national student loan fund in the DRC
Unlike some countries, the DRC has no national student loan fund. The Ministry of Higher and University Education sets the academic fees, but paying them remains the responsibility of families, whatever their income or the province where they live.
Academic fees often set in dollars
At UNIKIN, the University of Lubumbashi or the National Pedagogical University, annual fees and related charges are frequently expressed in dollars. Private universities, such as the Protestant University in Congo, charge higher amounts to their students.
Borrowing through a parent paid via a Congolese bank
The most common solution is still a personal loan taken out by a father, mother or uncle whose salary is paid into a bank. The terms of this financing are set out in the guide to the personal loan in Congo-Kinshasa.
State and cooperation scholarships
Scholarships exist, awarded by the state, the provinces or foreign partners such as Belgian, French or Chinese cooperation. They remain few in number and selective, and they often target master's or doctoral studies rather than first degrees.
Scholarships from mining companies and foundations
Some mining companies in Lualaba and Haut-Katanga fund students in engineering, geology or metallurgy, sometimes in return for a commitment to work for them. Private foundations and churches also support deserving students from modest families.
Microfinance and enrolment fees
A few COOPECs and microfinance institutions grant small loans to parents who are traders when the academic year begins. These loans are based on the parent's business, as the student usually has no income of their own.
Studying abroad and family loans
Going to study in Belgium, France or South Africa requires proof of means for the visa. Families draw on savings, the diaspora and sometimes a bank loan, with a significant exchange rate risk between the Congolese franc and the euro.
Tutoring, phone credit and odd jobs in Kinshasa
Many Kinshasa students cover part of their fees through private tutoring, selling phone credit or casual jobs. This irregular income is not enough to obtain a bank loan in their own name, even for a modest amount.
Paying fees in instalments
Some Congolese universities and higher institutes accept payment of academic fees in two or three instalments over the year. This arrangement, to be negotiated with the administration, can sometimes avoid the need for expensive credit.
School fees for younger children
Before university, families pay the minerval, related charges, uniforms and supplies for primary and secondary school, especially in private schools. The available solutions are presented on the page about school loans in the DRC.
The situation of students in Brazzaville
Across the river, the Brazzaville government pays scholarships to some of its students and the credit offer is different. The guide to the student loan in Congo-Brazzaville makes it possible to compare the two systems.
Beware of fake scholarships
Facebook adverts offer scholarships or student loans for study abroad in return for application fees. Genuine scholarships are published by embassies, universities or the ministry and never ask for payment by mobile money from applicants.
Funding a university year in the DRC
- Obtain from the university the official amount of academic fees and related charges for the year.
- Check the public, provincial, corporate or foreign cooperation scholarships open to your field of study.
- Negotiate with the administration the possibility of paying the fees in several instalments.
- If needed, ask a salaried parent to apply for a personal loan at their bank.
- Pay fees only at the bank counters designated by the university and keep the payment slips.
Budget for a year of higher education in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
| Item | Benchmark | What makes it vary |
|---|---|---|
| Academic fees | Often set in USD by the institution | Public or private university, field |
| Related charges | Enrolment, library, laboratory | Faculty, year of study |
| Housing and transport | A heavy expense in Kinshasa | Distance, student residence |
| Parental loan | Rate of the parent's bank | Currency, term, salary |
| Materials and equipment | Computer, course notes, printing | Field, level |
Supporting documents to finance studies in the DRC
- Certificate of enrolment or pass certificate issued by the university
- Official schedule of the institution's academic fees
- Identity documents of the student and the borrowing parent
- Parent's payslips if a bank loan is requested
- Transcripts for a scholarship application
- Cover letter for corporate or foundation scholarships
Pitfalls in financing studies in the Congo
- Paying academic fees to a middleman instead of into the university's official bank account.
- Paying fees to an agency that promises a guaranteed European scholarship through a Facebook page.
- Taking out a parental loan in dollars for the first year without planning how to finance the following years.
- Missing out on mining company scholarships by failing to submit the application before the deadline.
- Going to study abroad without a budget covering housing and exchange rates until the end of the course.
Lenders to contact
- Rawbank: Congolese commercial bank offering banking services to individuals and professionals, with dedicated credit lines for financing micro, small and medium enterprises.
- Rawbank: Major Congolese commercial bank allowing customers to submit an online credit application, for individuals as well as businesses and organisations.
- Trust Merchant Bank (TMB): Congolese commercial bank with a presence across many provinces, active in lending to individuals, small businesses and micro-entrepreneurs.
- Advans Banque Congo: Microfinance bank of the Advans network in the Democratic Republic of Congo, financing micro, small and medium enterprises, notably in Greater Katanga.
Higher education in the Congo and how to fund it
Do Congolese banks lend directly to students?
Very rarely, because students have no income paid into an account. Banks prefer to lend to the salaried parent, who repays from their salary. A few offers target master's students who are already employed, with limited amounts.
Can academic fees be paid in Congolese francs?
It depends on the institution. Many universities express their fees in dollars but accept payment in Congolese francs at the day's rate. Bank slips should be kept as proof that the fees have been paid in full.
How do you find a scholarship in the DRC?
Official announcements are published by the Ministry of Higher Education, embassies, universities and some companies. Watch the deadlines, prepare transcripts and recommendation letters, and never pay for a so-called scholarship.
Does free education extend to university?
No, the free education policy decided in 2019 covers basic education in public schools. Universities and higher institutes continue to charge academic fees set each year according to the institution and the field of study.