Financing for equity in higher education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to institutions
3. Education resources to students
4. Support for students' living costs
Introduction
Key financing indicators (UIS Data)
No information was found.
Tuition-free status
The key legislation does not require public higher education to be free of charge, with tuition fees accounting for a significant amount of income at most higher education institutions.
Governance
The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) oversees and funds higher education institutions, while the Tertiary Education Commission manages and supervises higher education.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Higher education institutions are financed directly from the central government.
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
The legislation permits private higher education providers to operate in the system, but these institutions do not receive funding from the government.
Allocation and equity
Public higher education institutions receive funding through government subsidies and student tuition fees. The allocation of government funds is not based on a formula or other quantitative assessments. Instead, the government takes into account its budget, national priorities and historical allocation.
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
There are no national quotas or specific admission criteria for specific population groups to enroll in higher education programmes.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
State financial assistance for higher education is mainly through its Grant-In-Aid programme, which covers tuition and related charges, but not living costs. Priority is given to students of STEM-related disciplines, to female students, to the disabled and to the poor.
The Sierra Leone Students' Loan Scheme, established in 2021 through the 2021 Sierra Leone Students’ Loan Scheme Fund Act, additionally provides financial assistance to students of tertiary institutions, covering personal expenses such as fees, cost of boarding or lodging, books, equipment and other purposes that may be necessary for students. Applicants must demonstrate a ‘genuine need’ to be eligible for a loan, among other eligibility criteria.
4. Support for students’ living costs
Transportation
There is no state support for student transportation through the Student Loan Scheme or Grant-in-Aid programme.
Accommodation
While the Grant-in-Aid programme does not cover living costs, the Student Loan Scheme covers the cost of boarding or lodging for eligible students.
Textbooks
The Student Loan Scheme covers the cost of student books for eligible students.
