Since the 2023/2024 academic year, the Higher Education Students’ Loans Board (HESLB) officially began offering diploma college education loans to students studying various Diploma level courses. For the academic year 2023/2024, the government has given priority to six key areas that have a high demand for professionals which are health and allied sciences, teaching mathematics, physics and technical training, engineering and energy, mining and earth sciences, agriculture, and livestock. These priority areas were selected after the government conducted an evaluation of the urgent need for mid-level experts.
The government has built hospitals, health centres, and clinics nationwide that require professionals. The government has also constructed and renovated schools that need science teachers, as well as implementing reforms in sectors such as oil, gas, mining, and agriculture. After evaluating these needs, the government perceived starting with these areas would give youth opportunities to gain skills and become employable after completing their studies.
In the fiscal year 2023/2024 nearly 8 ,000 students benefited from these loans. If you are a student planning to join diploma-level college education for the academic year 2024/2025, it is wise to take this rare opportunity to apply for a higher education loan so you can achieve your dream.
On this page we have everything you need to know about Eligibility Criteria for HESLB Diploma Loan Application, Priority Courses for HESLB loans, how ta apply for HES LB diploma loan, Required Documents etc. To understand all this please read this article carefully.
Eligibility Criteria for HESLB Diploma Loan Application
To ensure that the middle-level education loans reach the neediest recipients, HESLB has also issued guidelines that specify the qualifications and criteria for awarding these loans to diploma students.
For students expecting to apply for a loan in the academic year 2024/2025, must adhere to the qualifications and criteria listed in the HESLB guideline for issuing loans to diploma students for the academic year 2023/2024 which can be found here.
Basic Qualifications and Criteria for a Diploma Loan.
According to the HESLB guidelines for issuing loans to diploma students for the academic year 2024/2025, an applicant must have the following qualifications:
- Be a Tanzanian citizen not exceeding 27 years of age at the time of applying.
- Have been admitted into an institution offering mid-level education in Tanzania.
- Have completed and submitted a loan application through the Online Loan Application System (OLAMS);
- Not be employed or under any government or private sector job contract that provides income or salary.
- Have completed education level such as Form Four (CSEE), Certificate (pre-degree), or Form Six (ACSEE) within five years, i.e., between 2019 and 2023.
Social and Economic Conditions Criteria
- Orphanhood; having lost one or both parents.
- Belonging to a low-income family supported by the Community Development Fund (TASAF) or other national institutions that provide assistance to low-income families.
- The disability of the applicant or their parents.
List of Top Priority Courses for HESLB Diploma Loan Applicants
HESLB has specified that the loan will be provided in six main areas reflecting national priorities as outlined in Government Gazette Number 715 dated September 29, 2023. These areas are as follows:
- Health and Allied Sciences.
- Education and Teaching.
- Transport and Logistics.
- Energy Engineering.
- Mining and Earth Science; and
- Agriculture and Livestock.
Priority Programs
Health and Allied Sciences
The programs in this group include:
- Clinical Dentistry.
- Diagnostic Radiotherapy.
- Occupational Therapy.
- Clinical Optometry.
- Dental Laboratory Technology.
- Orthotics & Prosthetics.
- Health Record & Information; and
- Electrical and Biomedical Engineering.
Education and Teaching
The programs in this group include:
- Basic Diplomas in Teaching: Diploma in Science Education covering Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
- Diplomas in Technical Education Vocational Training (TE&VET).
Transportation & Logistics
The programs in this group include:
- Aircraft Mechanics.
- Ship Building & Repair.
- Railway Construction & Maintenance.
- Global Logistics & Supply Chain Management.
Energy Engineering
The programs in this group include:
- Renewable Energy Engineering (Hydro, Wind, Solar);
- Pipeline Oil & Gas Engineering.
Mining and Earth Science)
The programs in this area consist of:
- Lapidary &, Jewellery; &, Mineral Processing.
Agriculture and Livestock
The units/ streams studied under these courses are often made up:
- Leather Technology
- Food Technology &, Human Nutrition,
- Sugar Production Technology
- Veterinary Laboratory
- Horticulture
- Irrigation
- Agro Mechanization
Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a HESLB Diploma Loan
All loan applications will be processed through the Online Loan Application and Management System (OLAMS). You are reminded to use the same Form Four National Examination number used during registration For Successful Loan Application. To submit your loan application, you need to follow the following steps below:
- Visit the HESLB (OLAMS) at https://olas.heslb.go.tz/
- Once the website opens go to the Loan Applicants section and click Apply for Loan link to Create your SIPA HESLB OLAMS ACCOUNT. Enter your details such as form four Index number and other details as per instructions provided.
- Pay your Loan Application Fees. You must pay a non-refundable, one-off application fee of TZS 30,000/= through GePG using a provided Control Number vide bank (NMB, CRDB, TPB) or mobile money networks (Vodacom M-PESA, TIGO PESA, and AIRTEL MONEY etc) for details visit: https://olas.heslb.go.tz.
- Complete the sections on the screen.
- Upload all the required supporting documents where applicable.
- After completing the application process online, you will need to download the loan application forms and contracts from the internet, stamp the relevant parts, sign the forms, attach the required documents, and submit the signed pages (numbers 2 and 5) of the application form in OLAMS.
- Click on ‘Submit’ send the completed application to HESLB.
Required Documents for Your HESLB Diploma Loan Application
The following are important documents to attach with your loan application:
- A birth certificate from relevant authority, ZCSRA for applicants from Zanzibar or verification number from RITA for applicants from Mainland Tanzania.
- Parent’s death certificates to confirm orphan status from relevant authority ZCSRA for applicants from Zanzibar or verification number from RITA for applicants from Mainland Tanzania.
- Disability Verification Form of applicant approved by District Medical Officer (DMO) or Regional Medical Officer (RMO).
- Disability Verification Form of applicant’s parent approved by District Medical Officer (DMO) or Regional Medical Officer (RMO).
- Beneficiary household number from Community Development Fund (TASAF).
Timeline And Deadlines For HESLB Diploma Loan Submission
The Loan Application window for 2024/2025 opens on 15th July 2024 to 15th October 2024.
How to Check Your HESLB Diploma Loan Application Status
The list of loan applicants who will be allocated HESBL loans will be announced through the permanent loan applicant accounts (SIPA) used during the loan application or on the HESLB website: www.heslb.go.tz after the loans have been approved.
To check the status of Your HESLB Diploma Loan Application please login to your permanent loan applicant accounts (SIPA) using your credentials.
What to Do if Your HESLB Diploma Loan Application is Rejected
If your loan application has been rejected or was unsuccessful, you need to review your information in the loan application system where HESLB will explain the exact reason why your application was rejected, which often can be due to:
- Errors in essential documents
- Uploading documents that lack relevant stamps and signatures.
- Incomplete applicant information
- The economic status not reflecting the true need for the loan.
If after verifying that your information is correct and you still believe you deserve the loan, you are allowed to appeal. HESLB opens a window for appealing loans for those who missed out due to various reasons.
Loan Amounts
Applicants who are allocated loans will be assigned funds based on the actual needs at their institutions. The loan will be divided into the following components: Food and Accommodation, Tuition Fees, Costs for Books and Stationery, Special Faculty Requirements, Research Costs, and Practical Training.
Loans will be provided to cover all or some of these components as analysed and approved.
Food and Accommodation
A maximum amount not exceeding TZS. 7,500.00 per day will be provided according to the number of days a student will be present as directed by the respective college calendar. This amount will be paid directly to students.
Tuition Fees
A maximum tuition fee not exceeding TZS. 1,400,000.00 per year depending on costs charged by a specific institution annually and it will be paid directly to that institution.
Costs for Books and Stationery
A maximum amount not exceeding TZS. 200,000.00 per year for books and stationery which will be given to students.
Special Faculty Requirements
A maximum amount not exceeding TZS. 300,000.00 per year as relevant expenses which shall be paid directly to the institution.
Practical Training
A maximum daily stipend not exceeding TZS. 7,500.00 up to 56 days per year for practical training purposes is offered; this sum shall also go straight to students’ accounts.
Research Costs
An annual grant not over TZS.100,000 can accompany specified programs in research expenditures as earmarked by each department respectively.
Repayment Process:
After completing intermediate education levels, beneficiaries must pay back their full loan amounts with deductions no less than fifteen percent (15%) of each month’s salary or a minimum payment of TSZ 1000 if self-employed in an informal sector should one discontinue studies/leave academically then lump sums repayments prevail; additionally, all credits incur flat single-time administrative fees equating one percent (1%) across original debt thresholds respectively.
