If you or someone you know has just been admitted to a Ugandan university or tertiary institution for the 2026/27 academic year, this is one of the most important opportunities you should not sleep on. The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Education and Sports, has opened applications for the Higher Education Students’ Financing Scheme (HESFS) — a loan programme specifically designed to help qualified Ugandans who cannot fully afford higher education.
At Niyabo Career Hub, our mission is to make sure every Ugandan knows about every opportunity available to them. Here is everything you need to know to apply successfully.
What is HESFS?
The Higher Education Students’ Financing Scheme (HESFS) is a government loan programme established under the HESFS Amendment Act 2024, administered by the Ministry of Education and Sports. It is not a bursary or scholarship — it is a loan that students are expected to repay after completing their studies, thereby creating a revolving fund that benefits future students.
The loan covers tuition fees and functional fees only. It also covers aids and appliances for persons with disabilities. Research funds may be covered subject to budget availability. The maximum annual loan is capped at UGX 7,600,000 — any programme costing above this limit will NOT be funded.
The scheme’s core goals are to increase equitable access to higher education, support students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, prioritise programmes critical to national development, ensure regional balance through district quota distribution, and sustain a revolving student loan fund.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible, you must meet ALL of the following conditions:
- You must be a Ugandan citizen
- You must have been admitted to first year of an approved undergraduate diploma or degree programme for the 2026/27 academic year
- Your programme must be offered at a participating institution (public university, approved private chartered university, or designated Other Tertiary Institution)
- Your programme must fall under one of the 14 approved academic disciplines
- You must be 35 years of age or below at the time of application
- You must NOT already be receiving any other scholarship or funding programme
- Persons with disabilities may apply for any accredited programme, including humanities — regardless of the 14-discipline restriction
Loans are strictly for first-year students only. Continuing students are not eligible to apply in this cycle. If this is not your first year, watch out for future cycles.
Approved Academic Programmes
Only students in the following 14 disciplines will be considered for the loan (unless they have a disability):
- Agriculture & Conservation Sciences
- Engineering
- Laboratory Science Programmes
- Human Medicine & Health Care Management
- Nursing and Midwifery
- Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Animal Sciences
- Oil and Gas Engineering
- Science Education
- Special Needs Education
- Statistics
- Computer Science & IT
- Pure Sciences
- Tourism & Hospitality
Notice something? Humanities, law, social sciences, and business programmes are largely excluded — unless the applicant is a person with a disability. This is a deliberate policy choice to direct funding toward national development priorities.
Participating Institutions
Your institution must be on one of the three approved lists below. If your institution is not listed, you cannot apply — regardless of your programme or qualifications.
Public Universities (12)
Central & Western Uganda
- Makerere University
- Makerere University Business School (affiliate of Makerere)
- Kyambogo University
- Mbarara University of Science & Technology
- Mountains of the Moon University
- Kabale University
Northern & Eastern Uganda
- Gulu University
- Lira University
- Muni University
- Soroti University
- Busitema University
- Uganda National Institute of Teacher Education (UNITE)
Private Chartered Universities (21)
- African Bible University
- Africa Renewal University
- Bishop Stuart University
- Bugema University
- International University of East Africa
- ISBAT University
- Islamic University in Uganda
- Kampala International University
- Kampala University
- Muteesa I Royal University
- Ndejje University
- Nkumba University
- Uganda Martyrs University
- University of Kisubi
- Victoria University
- Clarke International University
- Fins Medical University
- Valley University of Science and Technology
- King Ceasor University
- Metropolitan International University
Approved Other Tertiary Institutions (OTIs)
Institutions under Uganda Health Professions Assessment Board (UHPAB)
- Arua School of Comprehensive Nursing
- Butabika Psychiatric Nursing School
- Butabika School of Psychiatry Clinical Medicine
- Fort Portal College of Health Sciences
- Gulu College of Health Sciences
- Health Tutors’ College – Mulago
- Jinja School of Ophthalmic Clinical Medicine
- Jinja School of Nursing & Midwifery
- Jinja Medical Laboratory Training School
- Kabale School of Comprehensive Nursing
- Lira School of Comprehensive Nursing
- Masaka School of Comprehensive Nursing
- Mbale College of Health Sciences
- Mbale School of Hygiene / Environmental Health Science
- Mulago School of Nursing & Midwifery
- Public Health Nurses College
- Soroti School of Comprehensive Nursing
- Uganda Institute of Allied Health & Management Sciences (Mulago Paramedical School)
Institutions under Uganda Vocational & Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB)
- Bukalasa Agricultural College
- Institute of Survey and Land Management
- Fisheries Training Institute
- Nakawa Vocational Training College
- National Meteorological Training School
- Nyabyeya Forestry College
- Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute
- Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology
- Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba
- Uganda Technical College, Bushenyi
- Uganda Technical College, Elgon
- Uganda Technical College, Kicwamba
- Uganda Technical College, Kyema
- Uganda Technical College, Lira
- Uganda Wildlife Research & Training Institute – Kasese
Documents You Must Prepare
This is where most applicants stumble. Gather every document below before you open the portal. Each file must be scanned clearly and kept under 1MB. Poor-quality scans and missing documents are the leading causes of rejected applications.
- Admission letter for an approved course from your institution
- Your National ID, Ugandan Passport, Driving Permit, or NIN confirmation letter from NIRA
- Copies of both parents’ National IDs
- Death certificates (if either or both parents are deceased)
- Your academic certificates, result slips, and transcripts
- Birth certificate
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Proof of school fees paid at A’ level or O’ level (for certificate applicants)
- Evidence of any scholarship or bursary at former school (if applicable)
- Sketch map to your current residence
- Sketch map to your home of origin (if different from current address)
- Completed recommendation form (downloaded during application) endorsed by LC1, Head Teacher, and Sub-county Chief / Town Clerk
- Proof of payment of the UGX 53,000 non-refundable loan processing fee
For persons with disabilities: additionally attach a full picture, a Doctor’s Report, and a letter from your NUDIPU (National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda) District Union.
How to pay the processing fee ?
Before you begin your online application, you must pay a non-refundable processing fee of UGX 53,000 (inclusive of bank charges). This is paid directly at the bank — not to any individual.
Payment options:
Centenary Bank — Account No. 3740300006 (HESFB LOAN APPLICATION FEE)
DFCU Bank — Account No. 01363669053643
Scan the payment receipt and attach it during your application.
Do NOT pay to any individual or agent. The Ministry has issued a warning: beware of fraudsters who claim they can secure the loan for you in exchange for payment. Only pay in the bank, on the account numbers above.
How to Apply — Step by Step ?
The entire application process is done online. No hard copy applications are accepted. Follow these steps exactly:
Pay the processing fee at the bank: Walk into Centenary Bank or DFCU Bank and deposit UGX 53,000 into the HESFB LOAN APPLICATION FEE account. Request a payment receipt — you must scan and upload this. Do this first before anything else.
Collect and scan all required documents: Gather every document listed in Section 6 above. Scan each document clearly with good lighting. Each file must be under 1MB. Label your files clearly (e.g., “Admission_Letter.pdf”, “National_ID.jpg”) so you do not confuse them during upload. Getting signatures on the recommendation form from your LC1, Head Teacher, and Sub-county Chief takes time — start this process first.
Create an account on the ILMIS portal: Visit https://ilmis.go.ug and register for a new account. You can also access the portal via the Ministry website: go to education.go.ug → Higher Education Students’ Financing Scheme → click “Apply Now”. Use your real name and a valid email address — notifications about your application will be sent here.
Complete all sections of the application form: Fill in every section of the online form carefully and accurately. The Ministry verifies all submitted information. Pay special attention to:
- Your name (must match exactly across all documents)
- Your NIN (National Identification Number)
- Your institution and programme details
- Your parents’ details and NINs
- Your district of origin (this affects District Quota allocation)
Download and complete the recommendation form: The recommendation form is available for download within the application portal. Print it, complete it, and get it endorsed with official stamps from: your LC1 Chairperson, the Head Teacher of your previous secondary school, and your Sub-county Chief or Town Clerk. Scan it and attach it before submitting.
Upload all documents: Upload each required document into the corresponding field. Double-check that each file has uploaded correctly before moving to the next section. A failed upload looks the same as a missing document from the Ministry’s side.
Review everything, then submit: Before you click Submit, review the entire application one more time. Check that your name spelling is consistent across all documents, all fields are filled, all documents are attached, and your bank receipt is included. Once submitted, you may not be able to make changes.
Save your confirmation and wait for results: After submission, save or screenshot your application confirmation. Results will be communicated via SMS to your registered phone number, published in print media, and posted on the Ministry website. Check all three channels.
Application timeline
Application Deadline
- Portal opens: Monday, 25 May 2026 · 00:00hrs
- Portal closes: Friday, 17 July 2026 · 23:59hrs
Important Things to Know
- The application process is100% online. No hard copy applications are accepted.
- Results will be published in the print media, the Ministry website, and via personal SMS to successful applicants.
- All submitted information will be verified for accuracy. Providing false information means automatic disqualification.
- The Ministry reserves the right to withdraw or terminate any loan where fraud is detected — even after the loan has been awarded.
- Any programme costed above UGX 7,600,000 per year will not be funded under this scheme.
Tips for a successful application
- Start now, not in July: The portal gets heavily congested near the deadline. System slowdowns and crashes near the closing date have affected applicants in past cycles. Apply in June.
- Get signatures early: The recommendation form requires three separate endorsements — LC1, Head Teacher, and Sub-county Chief. This takes days or weeks. Start this immediately, it is your biggest bottleneck.
- Match names across documents: Ensure your name is spelled identically across your ID, admission letter, certificates, and bank receipt. Any discrepancy flags your application for manual review or rejection.
- Scan quality matters: Take time to scan clearly in good light. Blurry, cut-off, or unreadable scans are treated as missing documents. Keep each file under 1MB.
- Keep your bank receipt safe: The processing fee receipt is mandatory. If you lose it, you may need to revisit the bank for a duplicate. Keep a digital copy immediately after payment.
- Use your own phone number: Register with a phone number you own and use actively. Results are sent via SMS. If you register with someone else’s number, you may miss the notification.
Official contact details
If you encounter challenges during the application process, reach out to HESFS directly:
- Phone: 0392 174 999
- Phone: 0414 255 300
- Email: hesfs@education.go.ug
- Website: education.go.ug
- X (Twitter): @HESFSUG
- Office: 7th Floor, Lourdel Towers, Nakasero
From Niyabo Career Hub — stay connected to every opportunity
At Niyabo Career Hub, we exist to make sure no Ugandan misses an opportunity because of lack of information. We track student loans, scholarships, grants, internships, and job opportunities across Uganda and beyond — and we bring them directly to you. Share this article with every student you know who was admitted this year. One share could change someone’s life. Follow Niyabo Career Hub for alerts when new funding opportunities open, scholarship deadlines approach, and job opportunities are posted for Ugandans.
Ready to apply? Start today.
The portal is live right now. Every day you wait is a day closer to the 17 July deadline. Gather your documents, pay the bank fee, and get your application in early. We are rooting for you.
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