Current student financing system, student loan program and graduate outcomes assessment in Uzbekistan

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST ASSIGNMENT PARTICULARS

Country Republic of Uzbekistan

Client / Borrower Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF)

Implementing Agency Education Loan Financing Fund Management Department (ELFFMD) within MEF

Program

EduImkon: Redesigning Opportunity, Delivering Education Equity Program

Grant Number Grant . TF0C8875

Assignment Title Current student financing system, student loan program and graduate outcomes assessment in Uzbekistan

Selection Method Consultant Qualification Selection (CQS) — World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers

Assignment Duration 2 to 3 months from the date of contract signing

REOI Reference UZ-MEF-15-CS-CQS

EOI Submission Deadline

September 17, 2026, at 18: 00 hours Tashkent time

BACKGROUND

The Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan is implementing reforms to expand equitable access to higher education and strengthen the effectiveness, sustainability, and inclusiveness of student financing mechanisms. In this context, the World Bank-financed US$2 million Grant Facility for Project Preparation (GFPP) supports the preparation and implementation readiness of the Student Loan Program through analytical studies, institutional capacity building, implementation support, and policy development. As the Student Loan Program becomes an important instrument for expanding access to higher education, a comprehensive assessment is required to evaluate its current performance, financial sustainability, risks, institutional and operational arrangements, accessibility, beneficiary outcomes, and alignment with higher education and labour market objectives. The assessment will also examine Uzbekistan’s readiness for potential transition toward more equitable income-contingent financing arrangements, including the necessary legal, institutional, administrative, and data-related requirements. To this end, the Government intends to engage a qualified Research Institution or Consulting Firm to conduct the assessment and develop evidence-based, practical, and prioritized recommendations for strengthening the student financing system, improving the effectiveness and inclusiveness of the Student Loan Program, enhancing its financial sustainability, and informing potential future reforms. DISBURSEMENT-LINKED RESULTS IN SCOPE

DLI DLR Description and Formula Disbursement Value

DLI 1 Inception report and Work plan Inception Report set out the detailed methodology, analytical framework, data requirements, stakeholder engagement approach, quality assurance procedures, risk management measures, and detailed work plan for the assignment. The report shall also confirm the proposed research methodology, assessment framework, data collection and analysis methods, and approach to financial modelling, graduate outcomes assessment, and ICL readiness assessment. 10%

DLI 2 Current Student Financing System and Student Loan Program Diagnostic Report A comprehensive diagnostic report presenting the findings of the assessment of the current student financing system and the Student Loan Program. The report shall cover the legal and regulatory framework, institutional and governance arrangements, financing mechanisms, programme design, eligibility and targeting, accessibility and equity, application and service delivery processes, loan administration, beneficiary support, grievance mechanisms, communication, monitoring, risk management, and identified systemic and operational gaps. 25%

DLI 3 Financial Sustainability and Financial Modelling Report Report on a comprehensive assessment of the financial sustainability of the Student Loan Program, supported by a dynamic financial model. The document shall present the assessment of the Student Loan Fund; financing arrangements; benefit incidence and subsidy analysis; contingent liability quantification; revolving fund feasibility; financial scenario modeling (minimum three scenarios with sensitivity analysis); international benchmarking; and long-term financial sustainability projections. The financial model shall be submitted to the Client in an editable format together with documentation of key assumptions, parameters, and calculations. 25%

DLI 4 Graduate Outcomes, Labour Market and ICL Readiness Assessment Report Report analyzing graduate employment outcomes (disaggregated by gender, field of study, institution type, and region); return on investment analysis by field of study; default and non-repayment analysis driven by labour market factors; employer and sector consultations; and implications for student financing policy alignment; and readiness for potential income-contingent financing arrangements. 20%

DLI 5 Final Assessment Report and Policy Recommendations Consolidated Final Report integrating findings from all assessment components. Includes: equity and inclusion recommendations; transparency and accountability recommendations; operational and financial sustainability recommendations; prioritized package of short-, medium-, and long-term reform actions; institutional responsibility matrix; and indicative timelines. 15%

DLI 6 Final Presentation and Policy Validation Workshop Documentation of the structured knowledge-transfer workshop for government staff, including workshop materials, participant list, and summary note. The Consulting Firm shall prepare and deliver: Technical Presentation (up to 30 slides ) summarizing the assessment methodology, analytical findings, conclusions, recommendations, and supporting evidence for technical stakeholders. Executive Presentation (up to 10 slides ) including an Executive Summary for consultations with international experts, senior government officials, the World Bank, and other development partners. 5%

OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The objective is to engage a qualified consulting firm to serve as to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the current student financing system and the Student Loan Program in the Republic of Uzbekistan, including their policy, in