The 10th cohort of Uganda’s Student Loan Scheme has been announced, revealing significant support for higher education. This year’s beneficiaries include 207 females, making up 33 percent of the total 1,100 successful applicants. Among these, 518 are enrolled in undergraduate degree programs, while 107 are pursuing diploma programs.
Announcement and Financial Challenges
On Wednesday, State Minister for Higher Education, Dr. John Chrysostom Miyingo, acknowledged the overwhelming demand for student loans compared to the limited available resources. The Higher Education Students Financing Board (HESFB) had only Shs5.2 billion allocated for the scheme this financial year.
Dr. Miyingo emphasized the need for additional funding, stating, “We recognize that there is a need for more funding to capitalize the Board as the current demand for student loans has certainly surpassed the available resources.” He assured that the Ministry of Higher Education will collaborate with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and Parliament to secure increased funding for the Board.
Application Statistics and Affirmative Action
The Loan Award Report, presented by Eng. Dr. Charles Wana-Etyem, Chairperson of the Governance Board, highlighted that out of 6,225 applications, 1,912 were eligible for the scheme. This included 1,854 males (77 percent) and 563 females (23 percent). Efforts to simplify and decentralize the application process have been made to ensure broader accessibility. The online application mode was particularly successful, despite a decrease in the number of applicants compared to previous years, attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and lack of financing prospects.
The Board sustained its affirmative action program, targeting female applicants and persons with disabilities by providing a seven-point advantage. This year, 23 persons with disabilities were selected to study various programs in sciences and humanities.
Regional Success and Future Prospects
A total of 74 districts saw all their applicants succeed, with the Northern Region leading in the total awards. This underscores the importance of the Student Loan Scheme as a government intervention to support financially needy students in Uganda.
Reflecting on the selection process, Michael Wanyama, Executive Director of HESFB, noted, “We called for applicants within a two-week period, from March 14 to March 15,” highlighting the urgency due to ongoing academic activities. The Board ensures minimal interaction with applicants until the selection process is complete, guaranteeing transparency in awarding student loans.
In conclusion , the introduction of the Student Loan Scheme has opened doors for underprivileged learners to access higher education at both undergraduate degree and diploma levels. As Dr. Wana-Etyem remarked, the scheme is gaining popularity among the youth and is appreciated for providing opportunities to financially needy learners.
