The Gambia is launching its first government-backed Students Revolving Loan Scheme (SRLS), offering eligible students a new way to finance their university tuition. The first application window opens at 8am on September 15, 2026, and closes on September 30. The loans are interest-free and, in the first cycle, will cover tuition fees for students at four public universities: 

• The University of The Gambia (UTG)
• The University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (USET)
• The University of Education, The Gambia (UEG), and
•  Civil Service University (CSU).

Students at private universities and TVET institutions are not covered in this first phase, although the scheme plans to expand to other institutions in future. But who qualifies, how does the loan work, when must students repay it, and what happens if they cannot?

Here is what students need to know.

What is the Students Revolving Loan Scheme?

The SRLS is a government-backed programme established under the Students Revolving Loan Scheme Act, 2025, and overseen by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST). It is designed to help students who face financial barriers to higher education by providing loans to cover tuition.

Unlike a scholarship or grant, the money must be repaid. It is called a “revolving” scheme because repayments from graduates are intended to return to the fund and finance loans for future students. The aim is therefore to create a continuing source of student financing rather than a one-off intervention.

When can students apply and who is eligible?

The first application window opens at 10 am on September 15 and closes on September 30, 2026. Applications will be submitted online through the SRLS portal.

The first cycle is open to new and continuing undergraduate students who:

• Are Gambian citizens;
• Are 18 or older;
• Have been admitted to or are enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or bachelor’s degree programme;
• Attend one of the four participating public universities;
• Meet the applicable academic requirements;
• Demonstrate financial need; and
• Provide the required supporting documents and two guarantors.

Continuing students must also demonstrate satisfactory academic progress. 

Being eligible does not guarantee a loan. Applications will be verified and assessed before a decision is made, with the number of approved applicants depending on the assessment process and available funds.

What does the loan cover?

For the first cycle, the loan is intended to cover tuition fees. It is not presented as a general allowance for accommodation, food, transport, books or other living expenses.

Students should therefore check their loan offer and the official SRLS guidance to establish exactly how much tuition will be covered and how payments will be made. The loan is interest-free, but it is not free money. The amount borrowed must be repaid.

When does repayment begin?

According to the SRLS, repayment begins one year after graduation. The scheme has identified three repayment options:

• Standard Repayment Plan
• Graduated Repayment Plan
• Income-Based Repayment (IBR) Plan

The exact terms of each plan, including repayment periods, monthly payments, treatment of unemployment and changes in income, should be confirmed in the loan agreement and repayment policy before students accept the financing.

For prospective borrowers, this distinction is important: interest-free does not mean repayment-free.

What happens if a graduate is unemployed?

This is one of the key issues students should understand before taking out a loan. They should establish how the Income-Based Repayment plan works, whether repayments can be deferred during unemployment, whether missed payments attract penalties and what happens if a borrower moves abroad or remains unable to repay for an extended period.

The answers should come from the SRLS loan agreement and repayment policy rather than assumptions about how the different repayment plans work.

Do students need guarantors?

Yes. Applicants must provide two guarantors; a primary and a secondary. Students should identify their guarantors before applying and make sure they understand the commitment involved.

The SRLS application requirements should be consulted for the specific qualifications and documents required. Students should also establish whether there are income or employment requirements, whether parents or relatives can serve as guarantors and under what circumstances a guarantor could become financially liable if the borrower defaults.

What documents do applicants need?

Applicants should prepare documents relating to their identity, academic status, financial circumstances and guarantors.

The requirements include:

• Proof of admission or enrolment;
• Proof of address;
• A valid Certificate of Character;
• Information on financial circumstances;
• Employment and income information, where applicable; and
• Required documentation for the two guarantors.

Students should check the official SRLS application guidance for the complete list and required formats.

Can working students apply?

Yes. Being employed does not automatically exclude a student from the scheme.

However, working applicants must declare their employment and income as part of the assessment. This information will help the scheme determine their financial circumstances.

How will students be selected?

The SRLS says applications will be assessed using established criteria and systems rather than individual discretion.

Its Executive Director, Dr Samba Bah, has said the system is designed to create an audit trail showing how applications are received, processed, approved or rejected and allowing decisions to be reviewed.

The stated aim is to make the process traceable and reduce the risk of favouritism or political interference. Whether these safeguards work effectively will become clearer as the scheme begins processing applications.

How much money is available?

The government has committed D40 million towards implementation of the scheme. The SRLS has said D25 million has been earmarked for the tuitions loan

There is no fixed number of beneficiaries for the first application cycle. The number of students ultimately approved will depend on applications, the assessment process and available financing.

How will the online application work?

Applications will be submitted through the SRLS online platform. The scheme has established a Loan Management System with technical support from the Gambia Information and Communications Technology Agency (GICTA).

Because applicants will submit personal, academic and financial information, students should use only the official SRLS platform and avoid sending sensitive documents to individuals claiming to process applications on their behalf.

Why does the scheme matter?

The scheme is intended to address financial barriers to higher education and widen access to tertiary education. Its longer-term success, however, will depend partly on its ability to recover loans. Money repaid by graduates is intended to return to the fund and finance other students.

If repayments are strong, the revolving fund could support more students over time. If recovery is weak, the amount available for future beneficiaries could be reduced.

What should students do before applying?

• Check your eligibility. Make sure you meet the citizenship, age, academic and institutional requirements.
• Prepare your documents. Gather your admission or enrolment documents, proof of address, Certificate of Character and financial information.
• Identify your guarantors. Find a primary and secondary guarantor and ensure they understand their obligations.
• Understand the loan. Read the repayment terms carefully before accepting financing.
• Use the official portal. Do not submit personal or financial documents through unofficial links or third parties.
• Apply before the deadline. The application window closes on September 30, 2026.

If you have further questions or need clarification about the scheme, you can contact the SRLS directly on +220 833700550, email info@srls.gm, or visit the SRLS Head Office, Bijilo, OIC Road, The Gambia.