The Higher Education Students’ Loans and Grants board has approved 22, 433 students to be supported in the 2022- 2023 academic year.

This was disclosed on Tuesday in Lilongwe during a press briefing where it was highlighted that the figure represents 95 percent of the total beneficiaries who applied.

Chairperson of the Board, Henry Chingaipe, said the board is expected to spend about K13.8 billion to support needy students from both private and public universities.

He added that about 1,168 students, who applied for the loans, have been left out as they failed to meet the minimum requirements which include provision of supporting documents to warrant the consideration.

However, he said there are chances that the figures might slightly change after a thorough screening and vetting.

Commenting on the development education expert, Steve Shara, has applauded the board for the increased number of beneficiaries but he was quick to say that there is need to put in place measures that will ensure that no student is left out.

He said; “It is very commendable that 95 percent of the students are approved, but I must recommend to the board that they should redefined the minimum requirements because although the figures of students that are left out may seem low, but most times it is those that are very needy that are left out.”

Of the total number of beneficiaries, 14,887 are male while 7,536 are females.