What is HESLGB Funding Policy for Students in Private Higher Education Institutions? The Loans and Grants Administration Policy of Malawi Higher Education Students Loans and Grants Board (HESLGB) provides clear guidance on funding for students in private higher education institutions.
According to the policy, loan beneficiaries that are in private institutions are eligible for funding of up to 50% of their annual tuition fees.
The rationale behind this provision is to ensure equitable and fair distribution of resources among students in both public and private institutions.
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“The fee structure for private institutions is significantly higher. In many instances, tuition for one semester at a private university is equivalent to an entire academic year’s tuition at a public institution. In extreme cases, tuition for one student at a private university could fund three to four students in a public institution,” the policy states.
For context, annual tuition fees in some public institutions are approximately K350,000, while other private universities charge as much as K1.3 million per year. Therefore, the policy specifies that students in private institutions are not eligible for upkeep loans or grants.
Grants are reserved exclusively for students in public universities who meet specific academic criteria.
“A student qualifies for a grant if they attain a distinction at the end of their first academic year. To retain grant status, the student must maintain this level of academic excellence in subsequent years. Failure to do so results in the loss of the grant, after which the student may apply for a loan if previously a beneficiary, or finance their studies independently,” the policy outlines.
Grants, which are non-repayable, cover both tuition and upkeep for the academic year in which the distinction is attained.