Deadline: August 31, 2026
If you’ve secured admission to a university or college in Tanzania for the 2026/2027 academic year and need financial support, the Higher Education Students’ Loans Board (HESLB) loan application window is now open. Here’s exactly how to apply, what you’ll need, and the mistakes that cost applicants their loans every year.
Quick Facts
Application portal: olas.heslb.go.tz
Application window: Opened June 19, 2026, closes August 31, 2026
Application fee: TZS 30,000 (non-refundable), paid via GePG through NMB, CRDB, TPB, Vodacom M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa, or Airtel Money
Who can apply: Tanzanian students admitted to accredited higher learning institutions who need financial assistance
Step 1: Confirm Your Admission First
HESLB will not process your application until you have confirmed admission at a recognized higher learning institution and your name has been submitted to the Credit Board. If you haven’t received your admission letter yet, secure that first – everything else in this guide depends on it.
Step 2: Prepare Your Documents Before You Start
Gathering paperwork mid-application is where most people lose time. Have these ready in advance:
Form Four (and Form Six, if applicable) index number – this must match exactly what you used for your university admission application. A mismatch here is one of the most common reasons applications get flagged.
Birth certificate, verified and issued a validation number by RITA (Registration, Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency) for Mainland Tanzania, or the equivalent authority in Zanzibar
National Identification Number (NIN) – required for applicants aged 18 and above
Death certificate(s), if you’re applying as an orphan or with a deceased parent/guardian, also RITA-verified
Proof of disability, if applicable ΓÇö a letter from the District or Regional Chief Medical Officer
Guarantor’s passport-size photograph and your own
Bank account details in your own name
Step 3: Register and Log In to OLAMS
1. Go to olas.heslb.go.tz
2. New applicants: register using your Form Four examination numbers and years of completion
3. Returning applicants: log in with your existing credentials
4. Pay the TZS 30,000 application fee through GePG using your preferred mobile money or bank channel, and keep the confirmation code
Step 4: Fill In the Application Form Carefully
Once logged in, you’ll complete several sections:
Personal details: full name, date of birth, gender, nationality, contact information, and physical address. Every detail must match your official documents exactly.
Academic background: Form Four and Form Six index numbers, examination results, and your confirmed institution and course.
Financial/family background: This is where HESLB assesses your need, including sponsor status, parental income, and any other funding sources you may have.
Take your time here. Incorrect or inconsistent information is a leading cause of application delays and rejections.
Step 5: Submit and Track Your Status
After submission, you can log back into OLAMS at any time to check your application status. Successful allocations are published through your student’s Individual Permanent Account (SIPA) or on the HESLB website after batch approval.
What If You’re Not Satisfied With Your Allocation?
HESLB allows appeals. If your loan amount or allocation doesn’t reflect your circumstances, you can submit an appeal through the Online Appeal Form on the OLAMS portal once appeal windows open.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Waiting until late August. The portal often slows down as the deadline approaches. Apply early.
Mismatched index numbers between your admission and loan applications.
Uncertified documents. Birth and death certificates without RITA validation numbers will be rejected.
Wrong bank details. Disbursement delays are frequently caused by simple data entry errors.
Ignoring email/SMS from HESLB. The Board communicates directly with applicants ΓÇö check the phone number and email you registered with regularly.
Need Help?
For direct support, HESLB can be reached at 0736 665 533, or through their office at HESLB House, 1 Kilimo Street, TAZARA Area, Mandela Road, Dar es Salaam.
Looking for more scholarship and funding opportunities? Browse our https://mwanampotevu.co.tz/index.php/category/scholarship/“>Scholarship category for the latest openings across East Africa.
