• Over 4, 000 first year students admitted at The Copperbelt University applied for the loans scheme.
• 1, 266 students out of 2, 054 eligible students were awarded loans in the first selection.
• 343 out of 788 applicants that were left out in the first selection were selected in the second selection leaving out 445 eligible students.

Copperbelt University Students Union (COBUSU) has called on government to prioritize all students at the institution who were left out on the loan scheme to be considered in the first selection next academic year.
Union President Felix Chanda has commended government for channeling the K65 Million and 57,950 United States dollars recently recovered from Faith Musonda, last year as proceed of crime, to the Ministry of Finance while will be channeled to students loans and scholarships.
Mr. Chanda stated that over 4, 000 first year students admitted at the Copperbelt University applied for the loans scheme, and 1, 266 students out of 2, 054 eligible students were awarded loans in the first selection, while 343 out of 788 applicants that were left out in the first selection were selected in the second selection leaving out 445 eligible students.
“The union would want to commend the Minister of Finance for prioritizing important sectors as he mentioned that the forfeited monies will be channeled to areas beneficial to the public, such as students’ loans and scholarships. This comes at a time when a number of students who applied for students’ loan but were left out based on the criteria Higher Education Loans and Scholarship Board used.”
“As a concerned Union whose aim is to serve the students interest, we would call upon government to prioritize all our students who were left out to be considered in the first selection next academic year,’ Mr. Chanda said.
He also demanded government to give the students a clear stance on the increment and reinstatement of meal allowances as promised during their campaigns.
“As we wait for the Minister of Finance to release 2022 supplementary budget, we expect to see the reinstatement of meal allowances to our young brothers and sisters in first, second and third years respectively,” he added.
Yesterday, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) officially handed over K65 million and US$57, 000 recently recovered from Lusaka journalist, Faith Musonda to Ministry of Finance and National Planning.
And Speaking when he received the money, Minister of Finance Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane said the resources will be channeled towards student loans and scholarships.