The Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board (HELSB) has awarded student loans to 492 first year students at Chalimbana University for the 2025/2026 academic year. Ms Kawanda explained that despite 1,469 applicants being considered eligible, only 492 were awarded student loans. She stated that of those awarded, 833 are male, representing 57 percent, while 636 are female, translating to 43 percent. She explained that the bulk of the successful applicants come from rural areas with 1,203 candidates, or 82 percent compared to 266 applicants, representing 18 percent from urban areas. She explained that HELSB also confirmed that all five (5) students with disabilities who applied were successfully awarded loans.