Govt extends students loan application deadline after process delays

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The education ministry has extended the student loan application deadline for learners joining other tertiary institutions (OTIs) and the Uganda National Institute of Teacher Education (UNITE) for the academic year 2025/2026.

The deadline has been extended by two-weeks from the previous July 31, 2025.

The extension was announced following delays in the admission processes at the two types of institutions, which the ministry described as resulting from "unique challenges" currently affecting their academic calendars.

“The Ministry of Education and Sports hereby informs the public that the deadline for application of students’ loans specifically for Other Tertiary Institutions (OTIs) and UNITE has been extended until 15th August 2025,” the ministry said in a public notice.

Further, the ministry stated that this window is open to only applicants for the above-mentioned institutions.

The statement says this extension will not apply to applicants from other universities and institutions, whose loan applications will be evaluated based on the original July 31 deadline.

Background

The Higher Education Students’ Financing Scheme (HESFS), which administers student loans and scholarships under the ministry, was established through the Higher Education Students’ Financing Amendment Act 2024.

The scheme is intended to widen access to higher education for students who qualify academically but are financially constrained.

Prior to the extension, the Ministry had set a uniform deadline of July 31, 2025, for all student loan applications, regardless of the institution.

However, several stakeholders, especially from OTIs and the newly operationalized UNITE, raised concerns that their admission schedules had not yet been finalized.

Without formal admission letters, eligible students from these institutions would be unable to meet the initial loan application deadline.

This concern prompted the Ministry to re-evaluate the timeline and offer the two-week grace period specifically for OTI and UNITE applicants.

Why the extension matters

Diploma-awarding Other Tertiary Institutions are crucial in delivering practical and technical skills to Uganda’s youth, playing a key role in bridging the country's skills gap.

On the other hand, the Uganda National Institute of Teacher Education is expected to become a center of excellence for teacher training, in line with Uganda’s education reform goals.

“The Ministry takes cognizant of the critical role the diploma awarding institutions play in skilling Ugandans and also the role UNITE is destined to play in promoting teacher education,” the statement noted.

By extending the loan application window, the government is making a deliberate effort to ensure that students at these institutions are not unfairly excluded from financial aid opportunities due to administrative delays outside their control.

Application process still online

As with the initial application phase, the process remains entirely online via the Ministry’s official website.

The ministry reiterated that no further extension will be granted beyond August 15 for OTIs and UNITE, urging all eligible applicants to take advantage of this final window to secure financial support for their education.

The Government continues to emphasize the importance of equitable access to higher education, particularly for financially disadvantaged but academically capable students. The objectives of the HESFS include:

• Supporting highly qualified students who may not afford higher education;
  
  
• Promoting regional balance through district-based loan quotas;
  
  
• Focusing on critical national development programs;
  
  
• Creating a revolving fund to sustain future financing.