The Higher Education Students Loans and Grants Board (HESLGB) has approved over 2,500 student loan appeals for the 2025/2026 loan cycle, out of the 3,129 appeals it received. This means 429 appeals have been rejected.

According to a statement from the Board, the approved appeals amount to K2.2 billion in student support, with K2.1 billion directed towards students in public universities.

HESLGB spokesperson Millie Kasunda said most of the students who appealed are among the 34,000 loan beneficiaries who initially qualified for only one loan product—either tuition or upkeep.

“After we release the list of beneficiaries, there are always some students who are dissatisfied with the initial results. We therefore give them an opportunity to appeal if they were left out or feel unfairly treated,” Kasunda explained.

She further disclosed that the HESLGB traditionally sets aside funds to accommodate successful appeals but could not confirm whether the approved appeals will increase the total number of loan beneficiaries for the 2025/2026 academic year.

Education expert Victor Chikoti commended the Board for expanding access to student loans in recent years, describing the move as a positive step for tertiary education in Malawi.

“We should commend the government for this initiative, but other stakeholders such as private companies should also step in to support university students to reduce dropouts,” he said.

The government has allocated K36 billion to HESLGB for the 2025/2026 student loans programme, which benefits students in both public and private universities.