As 2022 KCSE students prepare to join various higher education institutions, the Government has unveiled a new funding model that will ensure students facing financial hardships will not be required to pay any fees to colleges and universities including their upkeep.
Any student who prior to the introduction of this new funding model, had not applied for financing will be required to apply through the new platform. Key to note is that all continuing students will not be affected by this funding model and will continue to receive their funding based on the Government’s existing model.
What you need to know about the New Higher Education Financing Model
In accordance with President William Ruto’s directive when he unveiled the new funding model on 3rd May 2023, students from the vulnerable and extremely needy households will receive 100% funding while the needy and less needy will get 93% government funding and a paltry 7% contribution from their households to cover for the tuition fees.
All university and TVET students who have received letters from universities and TVET colleges as per the placement from Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) are eligible for funding.
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To effect this, the government has classified students seeking funding into four categories, the vulnerable, extremely needy, needy, and less needy. The students joining private institutions too are eligible for the HELB loan and are encouraged to apply.
Funding across the four categories will be determined by evaluating family economic background to ensure that students from poor households are given priority in terms of scholarship allocation while those from less needy households are covered by loan financing from HELB as has been in the past.
How to Apply for Scholarships and Loans in the Higher Education Financing Portal
To start the application process, 2022 KCSE students who secured placement through KUCCPS will visit the new financing portal https://www.hef.co.ke/.
Once you are in the portal, you will need a valid email address, a birth certificate, a copy of your national ID, a passport photo, and your college/university admission letter.
In addition, you will need your parents’ registered telephone number, a death certificate if any of your parents is deceased, two guarantors’ (can be your parents) ID numbers, and registered telephone numbers (for loan application and a copy of the sponsorship letter if you were sponsored in secondary school.
To get information on the new funding model, parents and students are encouraged to visit www.hef.co.ke, HELB, UFB or visit Huduma centres for correct information on the new funding model. Students who require funding must make formal applications through www.hef.co.ke from 8th August 2023 to the midnight of 7th September 2023.
Procedure and Requirments for Students Applying on the Financing Portal
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