GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Applicants for Diploma Loans for the Academic Year 2025/2026 must meet the following general requirements:

1. Nationality and Age
   The applicant must be a Tanzanian citizen not older than thirty-five (35) years at the time of application.

2. Admission Status
   The applicant must have secured full-time admission into an accredited institution in Tanzania offering Diploma-level studies.

3. Application Submission
   The applicant must complete and submit a correct and comprehensive application through the Online Loan Application and Management System (OLAMS).

4. Employment Status
   The applicant must not have a formal or regular income from employment, nor hold an established contract in either the public or private sector.

5. Academic Qualification Timeline
   The applicant must have completed CSEE, Certificate, ACSEE, or other equivalent qualifications that enable entry into a tertiary education institution within five (5) years prior to application (i.e., between 2021 and 2025 inclusive).

3.2 SPECIFIC CRITERIA FOR FIRST-TIME CONTINUING APPLICANTS (FTCA)

In addition to the General Eligibility Criteria stated in Section 3.1 above, continuing students must meet the following requirements:

1. The applicant must have passed the examinations required to progress to the next academic year.

2. The applicant must ensure that previous academic year examination results are submitted to HESLB through the institution’s Loan Desk Officer.

3. In cases of resumption of studies, the applicant must obtain and submit an official resumption letter issued by the respective tertiary education institution.

4.0 RELEVANT DOCUMENTS TO SUPPORT LOAN APPLICATION

Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documents, where applicable:

1. Birth Certificate Verification Code

   • Issued by ZCSRA for applicants born in Zanzibar; or

   • Issued by RITA for applicants born in Mainland Tanzania.

2. Death Certificate Verification Code (For Deceased Parent(s))

   • Verified by ZCSRA if the parent(s) died in Zanzibar; or

   • Verified by RITA if the parent(s) died in Mainland Tanzania.

3. Disability Documentation

   • A Disability Form endorsed by a District Medical Officer (DMO) or Regional Medical Officer (RMO), for applicants or parents with disabilities; or

   • A valid Disability Identification Number issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (recommended in place of the form).

4. Corporate Sponsorship (If Applicable)
   Standard Corporate Sponsorship Form (SCSF-3), duly endorsed by the corporate sponsor, to confirm financial assistance received during pre-university or college education.

5. TASAF Beneficiary Number
   Social Support Beneficiary Number from TASAF to confirm that the applicant belongs to a disadvantaged household.

6. Orphans Centre Support
   Standard Orphans Centre Form (SOCF) to confirm financial and social support received from childhood up to admission into higher learning institutions.

7. Applicants Born Abroad / Parent(s) Deceased Abroad
   An official letter from RITA or ZCSRA validating birth information for applicants born abroad.
   Similarly, a validation letter from RITA or ZCSRA is required for applicants whose parent(s) died abroad.

8. Parent(s) in Prison (If Applicable)
   An official letter from:

   • The Ministry of Home Affairs or Tanzania Prisons Services (Mainland Tanzania); or

   • The President’s Office – Regional Administration, Local Government and Special Departments (Zanzibar);
     confirming that the applicant’s parent(s) are currently serving a prison sentence.

5.0 SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

HESLB may apply special considerations to certain applicant groups to promote equity, inclusion, and national development priorities.

Priority in resource allocation may be given to specific Diploma programmes and vulnerable socio-economic groups, including applicants who fall under the following categories:

• Orphans

• Applicants with unknown parent(s)

• Applicants with imprisoned parent(s)

• Applicants from households registered under TASAF

• Applicants who received Corporate Sponsorship

• Applicants and/or parent(s) with disabilities