The Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board (HELSB) has awarded 4,683 student loans to first-year students at Copperbelt University (CBU) for the 2025/2026 academic year.
The awards were carefully considered to ensure a balanced distribution across schools, with priority given to students demonstrating both academic merit and high socio-economic vulnerability.
A total of 11,329 applications were received for sponsorship at CBU, with 10,192 applicants (90%) meeting the eligibility criteria. The remaining 1,137 applicants (10%) were ineligible due to:
- Already being awarded a student loan at another university
- Completion of Grade 12 before 2021
- Incomplete or incorrect documentation
- Exceeding the maximum age of 26 years
- Admission to unsupported study modes, such as evening learning
Geographic Distribution of Eligible Applicants:
- Rural districts: 2,727 (24%)
- Urban districts: 4,444 (39%)
- Peri-urban districts: 4,158 (37%)
HELSB also received 28 applications from students with disabilities, of which 27 were granted loans. One applicant was not eligible as they had already received funding at Mulungushi University.
Editors Notes
HELSB remains committed to ensuring equitable access to higher education for students from all backgrounds, including those from rural areas and students with disabilities.
Currently a total of 13,010 students at Copperbelt University, further reinforcing its mandate to promote access to tertiary education across Zambia.