Editor's Review

74,237 university students are yet to apply for funding, despite the application portal for the 2023 KCSE cohort being opened on June 18, 2024. 

The Government has extended the funding application deadline for 2023 KCSE candidates joining universities in the 2024/2025 academic year.  

In a statement to newsrooms on Monday, August 5, the deadline for application was extended by ten days to August 15, 2024. 

In addition, the government will also communicate the cost parents and guardians will pay for the University programmes. 

"We are pleased to announce the application process has been extended by ten days, closing on August 15, 2024.

"Under the new funding model, government funding will be allocated based on individual student needs. Starting August 19, 2024, parents and guardians will be informed of the university fees/household contribution towards the cost of the university programme," part of the statement by the Ministry of Education read. 

Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala

The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) placed 153,275 from the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) 2023 cohort in public and private universities. 

Since the Ministry opened the application portal for loans and scholarships for the 2023 cohort, only 79,038 students have applied for both loans and scholarships but 74,237 university students are yet to apply for funding.  

This comes days after the Government cancelled the new higher university fees as announced for the new Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) 2023 cohort placed in various degree programmes.

In a communique, Inyangala stipulated that the fees previously allocated for the programmes and which were outlined in the invitation letters would not be paid by the students.

"The Ministry of Education wishes to inform the public, particularly parents/guardians of students, and, students that the fees to be paid by students and their families/guardians as relates to the full cost of each degree programme as previously communicated in the admission letters is hereby nullified, and, does not apply any more," said Inyangala.