The Ministry of Education and Sports has announced the opening of applications for the 2026/27 Higher Education Students Financing Scheme (HESFS), offering eligible Ugandan students an opportunity to access loans to pursue undergraduate diploma and degree programmes in selected institutions across the country.
According to the ministry, the online application portal opened on May 25th and will remain accessible until July 17, 2026, with officials warning that late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
The call follows reforms introduced under the Higher Education Students Financing Scheme Amendment Act, 2024, which transformed the scheme into a department under the Ministry of Education and Sports with a mandate to administer students’ loans and widen access to higher education.
Officials said the programme seeks to increase equitable access to university education, support academically qualified but financially disadvantaged learners and promote courses considered critical for Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
“The scheme is intended to support highly qualified students who may not afford higher education while ensuring regional balance through district quota distribution,” the ministry said in the external advert.
The government added that the arrangement is designed to create a revolving fund that will enable future generations of students to benefit from the programme.
Under the scheme, successful applicants will receive support for tuition and functional fees, while students with disabilities will also be facilitated with aids and appliances. Research funds may be provided where budget allocations permit.
Only first-year students admitted to approved undergraduate diploma and degree programmes in public universities, chartered private universities and designated other tertiary institutions are eligible for the loans.
Priority programmes include agriculture, engineering, human medicine, nursing and midwifery, pharmacy, computer science and information technology, statistics, science education, tourism and hospitality, among others. Persons with disabilities are allowed to apply for any accredited programme, including humanities courses.
Among the public institutions participating in the scheme are Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Gulu University, Kabale University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology. Several private chartered universities, including Uganda Christian University, Kampala International University, Nkumba University and Victoria University, have also been approved to participate.
The students’ loan programme was first introduced in 2014 as part of government efforts to increase access to higher education, particularly in science-based disciplines considered essential for national development. Over the years, thousands of beneficiaries have accessed university education through the scheme, with authorities periodically reviewing its structure to improve efficiency and inclusiveness.
The 2024 amendments marked one of the most significant reforms in the history of the programme, shifting its administration to the Ministry of Education and Sports and strengthening its role in supporting Uganda’s growing demand for higher education.
Education officials have encouraged prospective applicants to complete their submissions before the deadline to avoid missing out on the opportunity.
“Applications are invited from eligible Ugandan students admitted to first-year undergraduate diploma and degree programmes for the Academic Year 2026/27,” the ministry stated.
