The Higher Education Students’ Financing Board (HESFB) is a corporate body established under Act No. 2 of 2014 by the Parliament of Uganda. Its main purpose is to provide loans and scholarships to Ugandan students pursuing higher education in recognized institutions. The Board was created to promote equitable access to tertiary education, particularly for students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
HESFB plays a vital role in Uganda’s higher education system by offering sustainable financing solutions to increase enrollment in universities, colleges, and tertiary institutions, thereby strengthening the country’s human capital development.
Eligibility
To qualify for HESFB loans or scholarships, applicants must:
- Be Ugandan citizens.
- Have been admitted into a recognized higher education institution in Uganda.
- Demonstrate an inability to afford tuition and related costs of study.
Priority is often given to students enrolling in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses, as well as programs aligned with Uganda’s national development goals.
Functions
The HESFB is mandated to:
- Provide loans and scholarships to eligible students.
- Recover loans from beneficiaries upon completion of studies and employment.
- Mobilize and manage funds to sustain the student loan scheme.
- Support Uganda’s education and development policies by aligning financing with critical skill needs in the economy.
Governance
The Board is managed by a governing council appointed by the government, supported by a secretariat that oversees day-to-day operations. It works under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and Sports.
Impact
Since its establishment, HESFB has:
- Enabled thousands of Ugandan students from low-income families to access higher education.
- Contributed to the growth of universities and technical institutions by expanding enrollment capacity.
- Supported government priorities in creating a skilled workforce in line with Vision 2040 and the National Development Plans (NDPs).
✅ In summary:
The Higher Education Students’ Financing Board (HESFB) is Uganda’s national student loan and scholarship scheme, created in 2014 to ensure that financial constraints do not block access to higher education. By financing students in critical fields, the Board enhances the country’s drive toward socioeconomic transformation.
