With one week left before schools reopen, a total of 13,140 students may have to find alternative ways of financing their education or risk dropping out after missing out on the provisional list of beneficiaries for higher education loans and grants.
The Higher Education Students’ Loans and Grants Board (HESLGB) has approved 33,258 students for funding in the 2026/27 academic year, representing 72 percent of the 46,398 applications screened.
However, the students left out still have a chance to challenge the outcome through the Student Financing Management Information System (SFMIS).
HESLGB spokesperson Mercy Chijere said appeals will be open from August 24 to 28, 2026.
“All applicants who are not satisfied with the selection are required to appeal within a space of one week, that is from 24th to 28th August, 2026, using the Student Financing Management Information System,” Chijere said during a press briefing in Salima on Thursday.
According to Chijere, the list remains provisional and will undergo further verification and vetting, meaning the final number of beneficiaries could change.
She further warned applicants against providing false information, saying those found to have submitted misleading details would face sanctions.
