Determinants of access to the student loan scheme in Uganda

Abstract

The research study was an attempt to determine the factors that allow access to the student loan scheme in Uganda. The case study was student applicants for the loan scheme at Higher Education Students Financing Board for the academic year 2021/22. The secondary data was used to find out the relationship between Disability Status, Gender, Parents’ Life Status, Region of Origin of the student applicant and access to the student loan scheme. The study population contained a total number of 4888 student applicants where 1349 (28%) were female and 3538 (72%) were male. The data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency tables and chi square tests in line with the research questions that sought to find the determinants of access to the student loan scheme in Uganda. The findings revealed that access to the student loan scheme was significantly determined by the Disability Status, Gender, Parents’ Life Status and Region of Origin of the student applicant. The researcher therefore recommended that the area of focus for determining access to the loan scheme should be Gender and Region of Origin in order to uplift Gender and Regional Equity within the country. Additionally, more branches of the loan scheme should be opened up country wide to ensure ease for students to apply.