The new funding model for higher education in Kenya has left many university and Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) entrants grappling with its intricacies. Announced by President William Ruto in May 2023, the model aims to allocate higher education funds directly to students based on specific criteria.
Launch of the Higher Education Financing (HEF) Portal
On July 31, 2023, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu launched the Higher Education Financing (HEF) Portal. This platform will facilitate applications for scholarships, loans, and bursaries, starting soon after students receive their admission letters. Despite the portal’s launch, questions remain about the application process and eligibility for government scholarships.
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Eligibility Criteria
According to the University Fund Kenya, to be eligible for the scholarship, one must:
- Be a Kenyan citizen.
- Be a 2022 KCSE examination candidate.
- Have been placed by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) to pursue an undergraduate, diploma, craft certificate, or artisan course at an accredited public university or TVET college in Kenya.
The scholarship is open to students who sat their KCSE examination from 2022 onwards.
Application Process
Once eligibility is confirmed, follow these steps to apply:
- Visit the HEF Portal: Go to HEF Portal.
- Prepare Required Documents:
- Valid email address.
- Valid phone number registered to the applicant’s name.
- KCPE and KCSE index numbers and year of examination.
- College/University admission letter.
- Sponsorship letter (if sponsored in secondary school).
- Parent/guardian’s registered phone numbers.
- Applicant’s ID number.
- Death certificate (if parents are deceased).
- Passport photo.
- Birth certificate.
- For loans: ID numbers and telephone numbers of two guarantors.
- Register/Log In: Create an account or log in on the HEF Portal.
- Complete Profile: Fill out personal and academic information.
- Upload Documents: Attach the required documents.
- Select Application Type: Choose to apply for a scholarship or a loan.
- Submit Application: Submit the completed application form.
Funding Distribution and Categories
The level of funding for each student will depend on the monthly household income, categorized as follows:
- Vulnerable
- Extremely Needy
- Needy
- Less Needy
Students classified as vulnerable and extremely needy will receive 100% government funding through scholarships and loans. Those deemed needy and less needy will receive 93% government funding, with students covering 7% of tuition costs.
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Note
- Ineligible for the government scholarship fund but can apply for loans through HELB.
- Will continue to receive funding based on the previous model.
- Over 45,000 university students and 42,000 TVET students classified as vulnerable and extremely needy will be fully funded.
