The Malawi government has, for the first time, extended the Higher Education Students’ Loans and Grants scheme to students enrolled in Open, Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) programmes, a move stakeholders say could significantly improve access to higher education.
The Higher Education Students’ Loans and Grants Board (HESLGB) announced the development ahead of the opening of the 2026/2027 student loan application window.
According to the board, the application period will run from May 25 to June 24, 2026, targeting 38,000 beneficiaries, up from 34,863 students in the previous cycle.
HESLGB described the inclusion of ODeL students as a major milestone aimed at widening equitable access to higher education opportunities for financially needy students across the country.
In a statement, the board said students enrolled in accredited ODeL degree programmes will now be eligible to apply for government loans under the same transparent and competitive framework used for conventional students.
The reform has been welcomed by education stakeholders and student leaders, who say many ODeL students have struggled to sustain their studies due to financial constraints.
Mzuzu University Students’ Representative Council president Vitumbiko Mzumara said the decision would provide relief to many students enrolled in ODeL programmes.
“Many people in the world think that ODeL students are only those people who are working and doing other things. But nowadays, some of these students are just coming from secondary schools and they face a lot of challenges,” said Mzumara, who is also studying under the ODeL programme.
He said some students directed to ODeL programmes by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) fail to continue with their education because of financial difficulties.
“You may see that NCHE has directed them to ODeL and those who continue with education are very few because of financial challenges. Now, the coming in of this loan will go a long way such that these students will be sustained and helped to achieve their goals,” he said.
Mzumara further argued that ODeL students should not be viewed as being outside the mainstream university system because they follow the same academic programmes through a different mode of delivery.
“Being an ODeL student does not mean that you are outside the system. You are inside the system. The difference is just the mode of how we do our programmes,” he said.
He added that the Students’ Representative Council had been receiving complaints from needy ODeL students who lacked financial support to continue with their education.
“As a student representative council, we are very happy because we have been receiving a lot of complaints from needy students saying they need help, and it was beyond our hands. But now that the government has reconsidered and included these ODeL students, we are very delighted,” said Mzumara.
He also welcomed the inclusion of students who were previously supported under the SAVE Project, saying many had been uncertain about how they would sustain their education after the programme.
“We had students under the SAVE Project who were in a dilemma about what would sustain their education. Looking at the consideration that the Loans Board has made, we are very happy that these students will continue their education without stress,” he said.
On the quality of education under ODeL programmes, Mzumara said Mzuzu University continues to provide academic support through blended learning methods involving face-to-face orientation and online learning platforms.
He acknowledged that ODeL students still face challenges such as poor internet connectivity, but said the university management continues working towards improving the learning experience.
Education expert Lexon Ndalama also described the inclusion of ODeL students in the loan scheme as a positive step towards broadening access to higher education financing.
“By including the open distance students, we increase the pool from which students can benefit from the loans. The more we engage them, the greater the access,” said Ndalama.
He said extending loans to ODeL students would not necessarily affect academic standards, provided institutions maintain proper supervision, quality teaching, and regular assessment of students’ assignments.
