The Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board (HELSB) manages all state-sponsored student funding in Zambia. While they handle bilateral international scholarships (like those to Russia or China), their primary function is distributing student loans and grants to citizens attending public universities like UNZA, CBU, and Mulungushi.
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
- English
- Local Lang Test
- No
- Study Languages
- English
Financial Details
- Type
- Full
- Fund Details
- See Description
- Monthly Stipend
- ZMW 0/mo
- Tuition
- Partial
- Living Costs
- Partial
- Travel & Health
- No / No
- Application Fee
- Free (No Application Fee)
- Spouse Allowed
- No
What Matters Most
Required Documents
Why You Should Apply
For the vast majority of Zambian students, HELSB is the only way to afford public university tuition. A '100% sponsorship' covers full tuition and provides a modest accommodation and upkeep allowance. However, due to budget constraints, HELSB increasingly awards '75%' or '50%' sponsorships, meaning you must cover the deficit yourself.
Application Process
After receiving your university acceptance letter, you apply directly to HELSB. You must submit your Grade 12 certificate, a national registration card, and a sworn affidavit declaring your family's financial inability to pay. The board then selects candidates based on a point system.
How to Win This Scholarship
Getting the coveted 100% funding requires a combination of excellent high school grades (preferably straight distinctions) and applying for a STEM program. HELSB heavily prioritizes science, technology, mathematics, and agriculture over humanities. If you are admitted for a Bachelor of Arts, expect to receive a 50% or 25% loan at best.
Furthermore, students from rural provinces are often given affirmative action boosts over those from Lusaka.
Benefits After Completing Study
It provides access to Zambia's premier public institutions without immediate financial ruin.
It is officially a student loan, not a free grant. Once you graduate and secure formal employment, HELSB will aggressively deduct repayments from your monthly salary via the Zambian Revenue Authority. Also, be prepared for strikes; when HELSB delays upkeep allowances, university students frequently protest.
Official Source
For complete details and to verify all requirements, please refer to the scholarship provider's official website.
Visit Official Source