Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu made a significant announcement on Monday, July 31, unveiling the new university funding model as directed by President William Ruto. The new model aims to provide accessible financial support to students enrolled in Universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, ensuring that every Kenyan student receives assistance according to their level of need.
The highlight of the launch was the introduction of the Higher Education Financing Portal, a platform designed to facilitate the application process for scholarships, bursaries, and loans for university and TVET students. The development of this portal followed the presidential directive on May 3, 2023, to implement the new funding model.
As Education CS Machogu stated, "Since the presidential directive on May 3, 2023, on the roll-out of the new funding model, the government has developed and completed the Higher Education Financing portal to receive applications for scholarships, bursaries, and loans for university and TVET students."
Notably, the new model ensures that continuing students under the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) will not be affected, providing continuity and stability to their funding arrangements.
For the first time, the new model aims to create equal opportunities for students at the bottom of the socioeconomic pyramid to access university and TVET education. Over 45,000 university students and 42,000 TVET students from the 2022 KCSE graduates, categorized as vulnerable and extremely needy, will benefit from full funding under the Government Scholarships and Loans.
President Ruto clarified that the new model would not increase university fees. Instead, the government will increase the funds allocated to learning institutions. The model categorizes students into three groups based on vulnerability: the vulnerable, the less vulnerable, and those able to receive funding.
Under the new model, universities and TVETs will no longer receive block funding based on a differentiated unit cost. This move aims to create a fairer and more targeted allocation of resources to students with varying needs.
To apply for funding, students can access the Higher Education Financing Portal through hef.co.ke, where various services related to education for higher learning institutions are consolidated. The platform enables new students joining universities or colleges in September 2023 to fill in their details, including education qualifications, biographical information like ID number and secondary school index number, and addresses.
Through the Student Registration tab, applicants can input all the necessary details required for the loan application process. With this user-friendly platform, the government seeks to streamline the application process and ensure that deserving students can access the financial support they need to pursue their higher education aspirations.