Editor's Review

Education CS Julius Ogamba has directed HELB and the University Fund to reopen the applications for first-year students. 

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has directed the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and the University Fund to reopen the applications for first-time applicants, including first-year students joining universities.

In a statement issued on Thursday, September 3, CS Ogamba explained that some students could have been locked out when the application window was closed on August 31, 2026.

He announced that the deadline has been extended by three weeks to allow eligible students to submit their applications for tertiary education funding.

"Recognising that some eligible students and trainees may not have met the initial deadline on account of various causes, the Universities Fund and the Higher Education Loans Board have been directed to extend the application window for all eligible applicants to 21st September, 2026.

"All eligible first-time applicants in universities and TVETs are invited to promptly apply for funding within this extended window," the statement read in part.

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A file photo of Education CS Julius Ogamba.

CS Ogamba added that the loan applications would be considered under the new student-centric model, which focuses more on student outcomes.

"For the avoidance of doubt, it is notified for the general information of the public that applications for funding for first-time applicants will be considered and processed in accordance with the current Student-Centred Funding Model," he declared.

He added that appropriate transitional mechanisms to the Universal Access and Funding Framework shall be implemented once Parliament passes the Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Bill, 2026.

Meanwhile, he confirmed that the government had disbursed Ksh22.12 billion for the first semester/ term for continuing university students and those attending Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.

Ogamba said that a total of 789,422 students had submitted applications, and all continuing students received their loans.

The update came amid concerns raised by universities and TVET institutions over how they would admit first-year students without tuition fees.

The government had directed the institutions to admit students as it resolves the student loan disbursement delays.