HELSB begins paying UNZA students K1,950 accommodation allowance top-up
The Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board (HELSB) has started processing and disbursing a K1,950 accommodation allowance top-up to eligible University of Zambia (UNZA) students living off campus, following the Government’s decision to increase the support.
Lusaka, 4 August – In a statement, HELSB Chief Executive Officer John Machayi said the payments are being made in line with President Hakainde Hichilema’s directive to raise the accommodation allowance for eligible off-campus students from K3,900 to K5,850.
Dr Machayi explained that the K1,950 top-up represents the difference between the accommodation allowance already paid to eligible students and the revised amount approved by the Government.
He said the additional payment is specifically for HELSB-sponsored UNZA students who qualify for accommodation support but reside outside university hostels.
According to Dr Machayi, the board moved swiftly to implement the directive after President Hichilema announced the increase on August 1, immediately initiating the necessary administrative and financial procedures.
He said payment processing began as soon as the board received confirmation that the required funds had been credited to its account.
Dr Machayi urged eligible beneficiaries to expect the funds to begin reflecting in their respective bank accounts in accordance with normal banking and electronic funds transfer processing timelines.
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HELSB begins paying UNZA students K1,950 accommodation allowance top-up
