The waiting is finally over! The Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board (**HELSB**) has formally announced the provisional loan awards for **4,683 first-year students** joining the Copperbelt University (**CBU**) for the 2025/2026 academic year.
This allocation is a significant boost to tertiary education access in Zambia, reinforcing the government's commitment to supporting academically deserving students who demonstrate the highest socio-economic vulnerability. If you are one of the successful candidates, congratulations—your journey at CBU is officially funded!
To check your name and confirm your provisional award status, the complete list of successful candidates can be downloaded directly from the link below. Please ensure you cross-reference your **Student Number** and **NRC** with the official document.
**Click here to download the Official Provisional Loan Award List for CBU 2025/2026:** https://shorturl.at/0hosY Alternatively, you can log into the HELSB e-Portal to check your individual application status.
The selection process was intensely competitive, with **11,329 total applications** received. The HELSB team undertook a comprehensive evaluation to ensure fairness, leading to **10,192 applicants (90%)** meeting the minimum eligibility criteria.
The 4,683 awards were strategically distributed across CBU schools, with a specific emphasis on prioritising students who excelled academically while facing greater financial challenges. This ensures that the limited resources maximize impact where they are needed most.
HELSB remains a champion for equitable access, and this year's figures strongly reflect that mandate:
* **Geographic Balance:** A significant portion of eligible students hail from areas historically disadvantaged, with 24% (2,727 applicants) coming from rural districts. * Rural districts: **2,727 (24%)** * Urban districts: **4,444 (39%)** * Peri-urban districts: **4,158 (37%)**
* **Support for Students with Disabilities:** Out of 28 applications received from students with disabilities, an impressive **27 were granted loans**. Only one applicant was ineligible due to having already secured funding at Mulungushi University. HELSB is dedicated to removing financial barriers for all eligible students.
While 90% of applicants met the criteria, 1,137 were ultimately found ineligible. Understanding these reasons is crucial for future applicants:
* **Age and Time Limit:** Completion of Grade 12 before the designated cutoff year of 2021, or exceeding the maximum age of 26 years. * **Dual Funding:** Already being awarded a student loan at another institution (loans are non-transferable). * **Incomplete/Incorrect Submission:** Failure to provide complete or accurate documentation. * **Unsupported Study Mode:** Admission to study programs not covered by the GRZ Student Loan Scheme, such as evening or distance learning.
To the 4,683 successful beneficiaries: Your provisional award secures your access to one of Zambia's leading technical universities. Ensure you adhere to all registration timelines set by Copperbelt University. The journey of 13,010 total students at CBU continues, and you are now officially a part of it! Study hard, utilize this opportunity fully, and emerge as the future leaders our nation needs.
**Good luck, and welcome to CBU!**
