Call for Applications: Government Study Loan, January 2027 Intake
The Higher Education Council (HEC) has opened applications for the HEC government study loan for Rwandan students who wish to study abroad in the January 2027 intake.
⏰ Application period: 1 to 21 October 2026. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
Key Facts at a Glance
How Study Loans Are Awarded
Government study loans are awarded competitively. HEC takes into consideration:
- National priority areas;
- Eligibility requirements;
- Whether the programme is not offered by local Higher Learning Institutions; and
- The limit of available funds from the Government budget.
Admission alone does not guarantee a loan. Selection is competitive and depends on satisfying all eligibility requirements.
National Priority Areas
These areas apply to Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate levels under this call:
Review the full list of priority fields and eligible programmes on the HEC website before you apply.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be a Rwandan citizen;
- Have secured admission to a recognized/accredited foreign Higher Learning Institution;
- Meet the academic and other requirements specified by HEC;
- Provide a valid admission letter for the programme and institution for which the loan is requested; and
- Meet any additional eligibility requirements applicable to their level of study.
Please note
- Bachelor’s applicants: only candidates who completed Senior Six in 2026 and secured admission to a recognized foreign university are eligible. Applicants admitted to local universities are not eligible.
- Ongoing students already enrolled in foreign universities are not eligible.
- Programmes must be in national priority fields that are not offered by local Higher Learning Institutions, as applicable.
Required Documents
- Application letter addressed to the Director General of HEC, clearly indicating:
- The programme of study;
- Name and country of the institution;
- Mode of study (preferably full-time or part-time);
- Starting and ending dates and total duration of the programme;
- Academic level (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, where applicable); and
- Amount requested, with a detailed breakdown of costs: tuition fees, living allowance, accommodation, medical insurance, research/thesis fees and any other study-related costs.
- Valid admission letter from a recognized foreign Higher Learning Institution.
- Certified copies of academic certificates and transcripts from the previous level of study.
- Copy of the National ID.
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Recommendation letter from your employer if employed, or from your academic supervisor, lecturer or teacher if unemployed.
- Personal statement explaining your motivation for the programme and its relevance to your professional development and Rwanda’s development priorities.
- Supporting cost documents, where applicable: official tuition-fee schedules/invoices, accommodation costs, medical insurance requirements and research-fee requirements.
Ready to Apply?
All applications must be submitted online through the HEC Management Information System (HECMIS) before 21 October 2026.
Apply on HECMIS →Important Notes
- The amount approved by HEC may differ from the amount requested. It is determined according to applicable Government sponsorship cost structures, policies and available funds.
- You are responsible for ensuring that all information and documents are complete, accurate and authentic. False or misleading information may lead to disqualification and/or cancellation of the study loan.
- Applications submitted after 21 October 2026 will not be considered.
Source: Public announcement by the Higher Education Council (HEC), signed by Dr. Edward KADOZI, Director General, Kigali, 1 October 2026.
