By Fatou Krubally
The Students Revolving Loan Scheme (SRLS) will open its first application cycle on Sept. 15th , 2026, offering eligible Gambian students interest-free loans to support undergraduate studies.
The application window will remain open until Sept. 30, according to SRLS Executive Director Dr Samba Bah, who made the announcement Wednesday during a press conference at the scheme’s head office in Bijilo.
Dr Bah said the first application cycle would be limited to new and continuing students enrolled in accredited bachelor’s degree programmes at four public institutions.
They are the University of The Gambia (UTG), University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (USET), University of Education, The Gambia, formerly Gambia College, and the Civil Service University, formerly the Management Development Institute (MDI).
The loans will cover tuition fees and will be provided on an interest-free basis, he said.
Dr Bah explained that the scheme had adopted a phased approach, beginning with the four institutions before expanding to private universities and technical and vocational education and training institutions.
He said the approach would allow the SRLS to strengthen its systems and draw lessons from the first application cycle before extending the programme to more institutions.
To qualify, applicants must be Gambian citizens aged 18 or above and admitted to an accredited undergraduate bachelor’s degree programme at one of the four participating institutions.
New students must meet the academic requirements of their respective institutions, while continuing students must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress.
Applicants will also be required to provide proof of address through a valid certificate of character, while employed applicants must declare relevant employment and income information.
They must also provide proof of financial circumstances and nominate both a primary and secondary guarantor.
Dr Bah urged prospective applicants to begin preparing the required documents ahead of the opening of the application portal.
He said the SRLS had spent the past months developing policies, internal controls and a loan management system to ensure proper processing of applications and accountability in the management of public funds.
Chairperson of the SRLS Governing Board, Dr Ernest Aubee, said the Board had approved the scheme’s 2026-2030 Strategic Plan and Loan Policy following consultations and reviews.
He said the Board had also approved 13 other internal policies covering areas including finance, procurement, anti-corruption, gender, safeguarding and communication.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Principal Tertiary and Higher Education Officer Emin Jai described the scheme as an important step towards expanding access to higher education.
She said the government expected the scheme to operate with transparency, accountability, fairness and sustainability.
The SRLS is urging eligible students to prepare their documents and follow its official communication channels for further information on the application process.