In Tanzania, state funding for higher education is managed by the Higher Education Students' Loans Board (HESLB). Similar to the Zambian system, this is primarily a loan scheme disguised as a scholarship, meant to ensure that qualifying Tanzanian citizens can afford tuition at local public and private universities.
Quick Overview
Full Requirements & Details
Academic Requirements
- Min. CGPA
- 3.0
- Offer Degrees
- Bachelors, Masters
- Subjects
- Agriculture, Arts, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, History, Law, Mathematics, Medicine, Physics, Psychology
- Seats Available
- Thousands annually
- Study Gap Allowed
- No Restrictions (Gap Allowed)
- Research Publication
- No
- Work Experience
- No
- Age Range
- No Age Limit
Language Requirements
- IELTS
- No
- TOEFL
- No
- GRE
- Not Required
- Local Language
- Swahili / English
- Local Lang Test
- No
- Study Languages
- English, Swahili
Financial Details
- Type
- Full
- Fund Details
- See Description
- Monthly Stipend
- TZS 0/mo
- Tuition
- Partial
- Living Costs
- Partial
- Travel & Health
- No / No
- Application Fee
- 30000
- Spouse Allowed
- No
What Matters Most
Required Documents
Why You Should Apply
If you are a Tanzanian citizen from a low-income family, HESLB is your lifeline. A successful application can cover your tuition fees (paid directly to the university), a special faculty requirement allowance, and a meals and accommodation allowance paid directly to your bank account.
Application Process
The process is entirely digital via the Online Loan Application and Management System (OLAMS). You must pay an application fee (around 30,000 TZS), fill out exhaustive forms, and have your documents verified and stamped by local government authorities (RITA) to prove your orphan status or family poverty level.
How to Win This Scholarship
The board operates on a strict 'Means Testing' algorithm. If you attended a highly expensive private high school, the algorithm will automatically assume your family is wealthy and deny you funding, regardless of your current situation. To maximize your funding, you must apply for priority subjects (Science, Medical, Engineering, Education in Science/Maths).
Humanities applicants are routinely denied or given tiny partial loans.
Benefits After Completing Study
Provides access to elite local institutions like the University of Dar es Salaam without upfront cash.
The 'Meals and Accommodation' allowance (colloquially called 'Boom' by students) is the lifeblood of the campus economy. However, it is infamous for being delayed by weeks or months, causing massive financial anxiety. Furthermore, you will be aggressively pursued to repay this loan with an administrative retention fee once you graduate.
Official Source
For complete details and to verify all requirements, please refer to the scholarship provider's official website.
Visit Official Source