Funding higher education in The Gambia with the SRLS
In The Gambia, the main student loan is the Students Revolving Loan Scheme, overseen by MoHERST, which complements public scholarships and family support in covering fees at the University of The Gambia and other institutions.
The Students Revolving Loan Scheme in brief
The Students Revolving Loan Scheme, or SRLS, is a revolving fund: repayments from former students finance the next cohort. A board chaired by Ernest Aubee and an executive director, Samba Bah, were appointed in 2025 to run it.
A 2026 budget of GMD 56.5 million
According to the Gambian press, the scheme has an envelope of GMD 56.5 million for 2026, of which 40 million has been committed by the government. Other resources are being sought to close the gap between applications and available funds.
A lending policy validated in July 2026
A validation workshop held on 3 July 2026 reviewed the SRLS lending policy and its 2026-2030 strategic plan. The document sets out eligibility, disbursement, repayment and recovery, all points to check before submitting any application.
Student housing now part of the scheme
Gambian lawmakers approved the inclusion of rent among the expenses covered by the student loan. This change matters for young people from Basse, Farafenni or Soma, who need accommodation near the campuses of Greater Banjul.
MoHERST scholarships come before the loan
The ministry also awards scholarships, notably to top graduates of the University of The Gambia and, more recently, community scholarships. A scholarship does not have to be repaid, so it makes sense to check eligibility first before taking on debt.
UTG, Gambia College, MDI and GTTI
Fees vary between the University of The Gambia, Gambia College in Brikama for teachers and health workers, the Management Development Institute and the Gambia Technical Training Institute. The amount requested from the SRLS must match the real fees of the chosen institution.
Do banks lend to students?
Gambian banks rarely lend to a student with no income. A salaried parent can, however, take out a personal loan against their salary to pay the fees, which then commits that parent's own capacity to repay.
Family and diaspora as key funders
Many Gambian students rely on an uncle in London or a sister in Barcelona to pay their fees. Our guide to peer-to-peer lending in The Gambia shows how to formalise this help when it has to be paid back.
When younger siblings' schooling also weighs
Families that have already borrowed for younger children's schooling sometimes pile up debts. Our report on school loans in The Gambia describes the solutions used for the September school start, well before university entry.
Studying abroad from Banjul
Studies in Senegal, Ghana, Turkey or the United Kingdom generally fall outside the SRLS, which focuses on the national system. They rely on bilateral scholarships, family savings and sometimes a bank loan taken out by a parent.
How Ghana funds its students
Ghana has long had a structured student loan fund. Our report on the student loan in Ghana offers a useful point of comparison for understanding what the Gambian SRLS is trying to build for its own students.
Repaying after graduation
A revolving fund only survives if graduates repay once they are in work. Recovery under the SRLS policy relies on identifying beneficiaries, which is why keeping your contact details up to date after your studies matters so much.
Applying for the Gambian student loan
- Secure admission to UTG, Gambia College, MDI, GTTI or another recognised institution.
- First check whether you qualify for MoHERST scholarships, which do not have to be repaid.
- Ask the SRLS about the current call for applications and the published criteria.
- Gather the admission letter, fee invoice, ID document and requested family information.
- Submit the file on time, then sign the loan agreement setting out the repayment terms.
Student expenses to finance in dalasi
| Expense | Benchmark | What makes it vary |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Set by each institution | Programme, UTG or institute |
| Rent | Now included in the SRLS | Neighbourhood, distance to campus |
| Transport | Daily gele-gele and taxis | Place of residence |
| Books and computer | One-off purchases | Programme studied |
| Repayment terms | Defined by the SRLS policy | Length of studies, job after graduation |
Documents for a Gambian student loan file
- Biometric ID card or birth certificate
- Admission letter from the institution
- Invoice or schedule of tuition fees
- Transcripts or WASSCE results
- Information on household income
- Contact details of a guarantor or parent
Missteps by students looking for funding
- Applying to the SRLS after the deadline, when the annual envelope is limited and quickly committed.
- Paying a middleman who promises a guaranteed place on the student loan or a MoHERST scholarship.
- Borrowing more than the real fees of the programme, then struggling to repay after graduation.
- Failing to update your contact details after your studies, which makes repayment follow-up harder.
Lenders to contact
- Ecobank Gambia: Gambian subsidiary of the pan-African banking group, providing personal retail banking services to individual customers in The Gambia.
- AGIB Bank: Gambian bank providing banking services to individuals, including online banking, and operating according to Islamic finance principles.
- Standard Chartered Gambia: Gambian subsidiary of an international bank offering personal loans to individual customers through its dedicated borrowing section.
Gambian student loans: answers for applicants
Who runs the student loan in The Gambia?
The Students Revolving Loan Scheme is run by a board and an executive director under the oversight of MoHERST. The lending policy validated in 2026 sets the rules on eligibility, disbursement and repayment.
Does the Gambian student loan cover accommodation?
Lawmakers approved the inclusion of rent in the scheme. The exact amounts and ceilings depend on the policy in force, so they should be confirmed with the SRLS at the time you apply.
Can I combine a scholarship and a loan?
It depends on the MoHERST and SRLS rules for the year concerned. A scholarship covering all fees usually makes the loan unnecessary, but a loan may top up a partial scholarship according to the published criteria.
Are studies abroad funded by the SRLS?
The SRLS is aimed first at higher and tertiary education in The Gambia. Studies abroad rely mainly on bilateral scholarships, family savings or a loan taken out by a salaried parent.