The Higher Education Council (HEC) has opened applications for Government Study Loans for Rwandan students seeking to pursue higher education abroad for the January 2027 intake. The loans are awarded competitively, based on eligibility requirements, national priority areas, programmes not offered by local higher learning institutions, and the availability of funds in the Government budget. Register for 2nd intake of our coaching class for the Duolingo English Test  

The programme is administered by the Higher Education Council (HEC), which coordinates study loans and bursaries in Rwanda. Applicants must have admission to a recognized foreign higher learning institution and should ensure that their programme falls within the applicable priority areas and eligibility requirements.

SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS

The Government Study Loan may support eligible costs related to studying abroad, depending on the amount approved by HEC and the applicable Government sponsorship cost structures and available funds.

Applicants may request support for:

·       Tuition fees

·       Living allowance

·       Accommodation

·       Medical insurance

·       Research or thesis fees

·       Other applicable study-related costs

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Applicants must:

1.     Be a Rwandan citizen.

2.     Have secured admission to a recognized/accredited foreign higher learning institution.

3.     Meet the academic and other requirements specified by HEC.

4.     Provide a valid admission letter for the programme and institution for which the loan is requested.

5.     Meet any additional requirements applicable to their level of study.

6.     Be admitted to a programme in a national priority field, where applicable, that is not offered by local higher learning institutions.

Additional requirements for Bachelor's applicants

·       Applicants must have completed Senior Six in 2026.

·       They must have secured admission to a recognized foreign university.

·       Applicants admitted to local universities are not eligible under this call.

·       Students already enrolled in foreign universities are not eligible to apply.

AVAILABLE PROGRAMS

The following national priority areas are covered under this call for Bachelor's, Master's and Doctorate levels, subject to the applicable eligible-programme requirements:

1.     Aviation

2.     Health Sciences

3.     Information Technology

4.     Nuclear

5.     Sports

6.     Infrastructure

Applicants are advised to check the official list of priority fields and eligible programmes before submitting their applications. HEC publishes national higher education priority fields and related programme information through its official platforms.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Eligible applicants must prepare the following documents:

1.     Application letter addressed to the Director General of HEC, indicating:

o   Programme of study

o   Name and country of the institution

o   Mode of study, preferably full-time or part-time

o   Starting and ending dates and total programme duration

o   Academic level: Bachelor's, Master's or PhD, where applicable

o   Amount requested, with a detailed breakdown of costs

2.     Valid admission letter from a recognized foreign higher learning institution.

3.     Certified copies of academic certificates and transcripts from the previous level of study.

4.     Copy of the National ID.

5.     Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).

6.     Recommendation letter from the employer for employed applicants, or from an academic supervisor, lecturer or teacher for unemployed applicants.

7.      Personal statement explaining the applicant's motivation for pursuing the programme and its relevance to their professional development and Rwanda's development priorities.

8.     Supporting documents for requested costs, where applicable, such as:

o   Official tuition-fee schedules or invoices

o   Accommodation costs

o   Medical insurance requirements

o   Research or thesis-fee requirements

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

All applications must be submitted online through the application link at the bottom of this page.

Applicants should:

1.     Secure admission to an eligible foreign higher learning institution.

2.     Confirm that their programme falls within the applicable priority fields and is not offered locally, where required.

3.     Prepare all required documents.

4.     Prepare an application letter detailing the programme, institution, study period and requested costs.

5.     Complete the online application through HECMIS.

6.     Upload complete and authentic supporting documents before the deadline.

7.     Submit the application and retain the relevant confirmation or reference information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

·       The study loan is competitive. Having an admission letter does not automatically result in approval.

·       The amount approved by HEC may be different from the amount requested by the applicant. Admission to a foreign university does not automatically guarantee a study loan.

·       Selection takes into consideration national priority areas, programme eligibility, applicable requirements and available Government funds.

·       The amount approved may differ from the amount requested.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

21 October 2026