Scholarships and Student Funding in Malawi
By Muntasir • Published Aug 03, 2026 • Updated Sep 27, 2026 • African Countries & Cities, African Scholarships & Student Funding
The main funding route for students in Malawi is the government's Higher Education Students' Loans and Grants Board (HESLGB), which funds needy students at both public and private NCHE-accredited universities. HESLGB has disbursed over MWK25 billion in loans to more than 634,000 students since it began, and the 2026/27 cycle targeted 38,000 new beneficiaries.
💵 HESLGB loans cover tuition, accommodation and an upkeep allowance
🎓 Loans apply to both public and private NCHE-accredited universities
📩 Apply online through the student portal at sfmis.heslgb.mw
⏱️ The 2026/27 window ran from May 25 to June 24, 2026
The Higher Education Students' Loans and Grants Board
The Higher Education Students' Loans and Grants Board (HESLGB) is Malawi's main state funding body for higher education, set up under the Higher Education Students' Loans and Grants Act of 2015. It funds needy and deserving students at government-registered institutions that hold NCHE accreditation, covering both public universities and accredited private universities.
By its own figures, HESLGB has supported more than 634,200 students with over MWK25 billion in loans since the scheme began. Beneficiary numbers grow each cycle: the 2026/27 intake targeted 38,000 students, up from 34,863 in the previous cycle.
What the loans cover
HESLGB runs four main funding products, each aimed at a different cost or type of student.
| Product | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Tuition loan | University tuition fees |
| Upkeep loan | Accommodation, food, transport and other living costs |
| ODL loan | Fees and costs for Open, Distance and e-Learning students |
| Student grant | Non-repayable support for students in particular need |
ODL loans opened to distance learners for the first time in the 2026/27 cycle , extending loan support to students studying outside a traditional campus setting.
Who qualifies and how to apply
The scheme targets students who show financial need alongside academic merit. Applications typically ask you to demonstrate your household's financial situation, with supporting documents from a guardian or community leadership, though exact document requirements are best confirmed on the application portal itself rather than assumed in advance. You apply through the student portal at sfmis.heslgb.mw during the annual application window, which usually opens after MSCE results and public university selection are out. Keep your national ID, admission letter and income documents ready before the portal opens, since the window closes on a fixed date each year.
Repayment
HESLGB loans are not free money. The board pursues repayment from graduates once they start earning, and recovering older loans, some dating back to the 1980s, is part of its mandate, so the scheme can keep lending to the next intake. Budget for this obligation once you graduate and start working, rather than treating the loan as a grant.
Other funding routes
Beyond HESLGB, some universities run their own bursary schemes for specific programmes or disadvantaged groups, and church-affiliated private universities sometimes offer partial fee waivers tied to merit or need. International donor-funded scholarships also appear from time to time for specific fields such as health sciences or agriculture. Check with your university's student affairs or financial aid office for what is available, since these schemes change from year to year and are not centrally listed.
Tips for a stronger application
Apply as soon as the portal opens, since late applications risk missing the funding window entirely.
Gather your guardian's income documents and any required community leadership letter ahead of time.
Keep your admission letter and national ID ready to upload.
Check your university's financial aid office for programme-specific bursaries alongside your HESLGB application.
Keeping your loan once you have it
A HESLGB loan is not a one-time award. Continued funding through your degree normally depends on staying enrolled and making satisfactory academic progress each year, so treat the loan as tied to your performance, not only your initial financial need. If you repeat a year or withdraw from your programme, check with the board directly on how that affects your remaining loan support, since rules differ by circumstance.
Documents to prepare before you apply
A valid national identification document.
Your university admission letter confirming your programme and institution.
Proof of your household's financial situation, gathered from your parent or guardian.
Any supporting letter your community leadership or Traditional Authority requires, confirmed directly with HESLGB or your university's financial aid office.
Your own contact details and a reliable way to receive updates on your application status.
Budgeting alongside a loan
Even with a loan, plan for gaps. Disbursements do not always arrive before a semester starts, so keep a small buffer for your first weeks of accommodation and food. Track what you spend against your upkeep allowance, since running short mid-semester with no backup plan is a common and avoidable problem for first-year students.
Merit-based support alongside need-based loans
Financial need is the main gate for a HESLGB loan, but some universities separately reward strong academic performance with fee reductions, prizes or continuing scholarships for top-performing students in a faculty or programme. These are set and administered by each institution, not by HESLGB, so ask your faculty office directly whether a merit track exists alongside the government loan scheme. Combining a partial merit award with a HESLGB loan can reduce how much you eventually repay.
What to do if your application is declined
If HESLGB turns down your application, ask the board directly for the reason, since a declined application sometimes reflects a missing document or an incomplete form rather than ineligibility. Correct the issue and reapply in the next cycle if the window allows it. In the meantime, speak to your university's financial aid office about instalment plans, deferred payment arrangements or internal bursaries that can bridge a gap while you sort out government funding.