List of Public Universities Eligible for HELB and Government Scholarship

The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has released a list of universities and colleges eligible for government scholarships and funding from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).

According to KUCCPS, 42 public universities and the Open University of Kenya qualify for both government scholarships and HELB loans. This means students admitted to these institutions will benefit from full government-backed higher education financing.

Public universities and the Open University of Kenya remain the biggest beneficiaries of the funding framework under President William Ruto’s administration.

In contrast, 30 private universities have been approved for HELB loans only, meaning students placed in these institutions will not receive government scholarships.

KUCCPS also announced that 272 public colleges under the Ministry of Education offering Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes are eligible for both government scholarships and HELB loans. The move is aimed at strengthening skills-based education and increasing enrolment in technical institutions.

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Meanwhile, 153 public colleges operating under other government ministries, including Kenya Medical Training Colleges (KMTC), have been approved for HELB loans only.

In addition, KUCCPS revealed that 35 university-level TVET institutions have been listed but do not qualify for either government scholarships or HELB loans.

The announcement comes weeks after the government increased the HELB annual loan budget from Ksh36 billion to Sh41 billion for the 2025/2026 financial year. The Sh5 billion increase is expected to support more students under the government’s student-centred funding model.

KUCCPS said the updated eligibility list will guide students and parents as they apply for placement and financial support for higher education.