The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of Tanzania has officially announced the opening of the Samia Scholarship Program for the academic year 2025/2026. This highly prestigious scholarship is aimed at 1,050 top-performing students from the national Form Six (A-Level) exams administered by NECTA, specifically in science subjects (PCB, PCM, CBG, PGM, CBA, PMC, and CBN).
This initiative, named in honor of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, is part of the government’s ongoing commitment to promoting higher education in STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and Health Sciences. It’s a 100% tuition-free scholarship – a life-changing opportunity for Tanzania’s brightest minds to shape the country’s future.
Who is Eligible for the Samia Scholarship 2025/2026?
To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a Tanzanian citizen.
- Achieve excellent results (Division One, 3–5 points) in the 2025 A-Level NECTA exams in the specified science combinations.
- For students with Functional needs, Division One with 3–9 points will be accepted.
- Secure admission to a recognized local higher education institution in Cluster 1 programs (STEM & Health fields), as outlined by the Higher Education Students’ Loans Board (HESLB).
- Apply correctly via the online system following official procedures.
- Be listed by the Ministry of Education as a selected scholarship beneficiary.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
The Samia Scholarship covers the full cost of undergraduate studies for a period of three to five years, depending on the degree program. Funded items include:
- Tuition fees
- Meal and accommodation allowance
- Books and stationery allowance
- Faculty-specific equipment
- Practical training support
- Research funding
- Assistive devices for students with disabilities
- Health insurance
All benefits follow HESLB’s official financial guidelines.
Application Process & Deadline
Applications must be submitted online through the official HESLB portal: https://olas.heslb.go.tz
Application window: July 28 – August 31, 2025m Only students listed on the official websites www.moe.go.tz and www.heslb.go.tz will be eligible to apply.
Important Conditions to Note
Successful applicants must:
- Read, understand, and sign a funding agreement with the Ministry.
- Open a personal bank account for fund disbursement.
- Not switch programs without written permission from the Ministry.
- Not defer studies unless for verified medical reasons.
- If declining the scholarship, submit a formal withdrawal letter via their institution.
- Maintain a GPA of 3.8 or higher to continue receiving funding; otherwise, the scholarship will be revoked.
Additional Notes
- The Samia Scholarship is a fully funded government initiative based on HESLB funding standards.
- The list of eligible applicants is available on the Ministry and HESLB websites.
- Applicants of Samia Scholarship Extended (DS/AI+) are also advised to apply for this local scholarship if eligible.
Stay Updated
Visit Elimu Times for continuous updates, application tips, and scholarship insights. For more information, check: www.moe.go.tz , .heslb.go.tz
