HELSB Approves 1,236 Loans at Two Universities
The Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board –HELSB- has awarded 1,236 student loans to first-year students at Kwame Nkrumah and Mukuba Universities for the 2026/2027 academic year.
HELSB Manager Corporate Affairs, CHISELWA KAWANDA, says 666 loans have been awarded to students at Kwame Nkrumah University, while 570 have gone to students at Mukuba University.
Ms. KAWANDA says HELSB received 1,381 applications from prospective first-year students at Kwame Nkrumah University, with 117 applications deemed ineligible.
At Mukuba University, she says the Board received 1,185 applications, of which 96 were deemed ineligible.
Ms. KAWANDA says all 16 applicants with disabilities at Kwame Nkrumah University and all nine applicants with disabilities at Mukuba University were awarded loans.
She says applications were rejected for reasons including completing Grade 12 outside the prescribed eligibility period, incomplete or incorrect documentation, being over the maximum age of 26, scoring more than 30 points at Grade 12, and applying as a continuing student instead of a first-year student.
Meanwhile, HELSB has awarded an additional 43 student loans to applicants at Palabana University.
Ms. KAWANDA says the Board received 173 appeals, with 161 deemed eligible and 16 ineligible.
She has urged applicants to carefully review eligibility requirements and ensure all supporting documents are accurately submitted.