Paying for university in Zambia through HELSB or a bank
In Zambia, the main student loan comes from the Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board, a public body that funds tuition and allowances for students admitted to public universities on the basis of need, with repayment required once graduates start work.
HELSB, the Zambian public lender for students
Set up under the Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Act of 2016, the Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board manages higher education loans and bursaries and took over from the former bursaries committee of the Ministry of Education.
Public universities covered in Zambia
Students admitted to the University of Zambia in Lusaka, Copperbelt University in Kitwe, Mulungushi University or other public institutions can apply. The exact list of eligible institutions and programmes is published with each HELSB call for applications.
Means testing and needs assessment
HELSB examines the family's financial situation, academic results and vulnerability, paying particular attention to orphans and students from rural areas. An incomplete application or an inaccurate declaration leads to rejection without further consideration.
What a HELSB loan pays for
Depending on the level of support granted, the loan can cover all or part of tuition fees as well as allowances for accommodation, meals and study materials, paid in kwacha through the university or into the student's own account.
Repaying HELSB once in work
Beneficiaries must repay once employed, usually through salary deductions arranged with the employer. HELSB has stepped up recovery from former students in order to fund new intakes of Zambian students each academic year.
Full bursaries and priority programmes
Some non-repayable bursaries are reserved for highly vulnerable applicants or for programmes considered priorities, such as health, engineering or agriculture. The annual HELSB announcements set out the quotas, the eligible programmes and the conditions for each year.
Private universities and alternatives
Students at private universities in Lusaka, such as Cavendish or UNILUS, are rarely covered by HELSB. They pay for their studies through family savings, a bank loan taken out by a parent or company-sponsored bursaries.
Bank loans taken by employed parents
With no dedicated student loan from banks, many Zambian parents take a PMEC payroll loan or a bank loan to pay university fees. This approach, also used for a school fees loan in Zambia, commits only the parent.
Studying abroad and international scholarships
Zambian students heading for South Africa, India or China rely on bilateral government scholarships, foundations or family savings. Fees in foreign currency leave them heavily exposed to movements in the kwacha exchange rate.
Technical colleges and vocational training
Institutions under TEVETA, such as the engineering colleges in Lusaka or Kitwe, sometimes benefit from specific bursaries. Trainees also combine district support, sponsorship from mining companies and small jobs to cover their costs.
HELSB application calendar
HELSB calls for applications are usually published after university admissions. Applicants should follow the board's official announcements, prepare documents in advance and submit on time, without going through any paid middlemen.
The South African model compared with HELSB
The South African system, presented on our page about the student loan in South Africa, relies on a different public fund, while Zambia depends on HELSB, whose capacity is limited by the national budget.
Applying for HELSB funding step by step
- Get an admission letter from an eligible Zambian public university and check that the programme appears in the HELSB call.
- Gather your NRC card, Grade 12 results, proof of parents' income and evidence of vulnerability.
- Complete the HELSB form within the stated deadline and have it certified by the authorities listed.
- Sign the loan agreement, which sets out the amounts, the bursary share and the obligation to repay.
- Update your contact details with HELSB after graduating so that salary deductions can be arranged.
Zambian university budget and funding sources
| Item | Possible source | What changes the amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fees | HELSB loan or bursary | University, programme and level of support |
| Accommodation | HELSB allowance or family | On-campus or town housing |
| Meals and transport | Allowance or part-time job | University town and distance from home |
| Materials and computer | Family savings or parent's loan | Technical or general programme |
| Study abroad | Bilateral scholarships or foundations | Host country and kwacha exchange rate |
HELSB application file
- Student's NRC card
- University admission letter
- Grade 12 results slip
- Proof of income of parents or guardians
- Parents' death certificates for orphans
- Recommendation letter from a local authority
Mistakes that cost Zambian students their loan
- Paying a middleman who promises a guaranteed place on the HELSB list, when applying is free of charge.
- Handing HELSB an incomplete or late application, which in practice leads to rejection with no review.
- Declaring inaccurate family income, which is penalised if HELSB carries out a verification.
- Failing to report a new job after graduating, which exposes the graduate to recovery penalties.
- Responding to a fake foreign scholarship advert on Facebook that demands processing fees in kwacha.
Questions about student loans in Zambia
Does HELSB fund private universities in Zambia?
As a general rule, loans are aimed at students at public universities. Exceptions may have existed under certain programmes, so read the current call. Private university students rely more on family support or company bursaries.
When does HELSB loan repayment start?
Repayment starts after studies, once the former student is employed, usually through salary deductions. HELSB contacts employers to identify beneficiaries and set up the deductions from their pay.
Will a Zambian bank lend directly to a student?
Rarely, because the student has no income. Banks prefer to lend to an employed parent or ask for a guarantor. The amount then depends on the parent's capacity rather than on the study plan.
Does HELSB cover study abroad?
HELSB focuses mainly on higher education in Zambia. Study abroad depends mostly on bilateral scholarships managed by the government, foundations or family funding, with a significant exchange rate risk.