- The Ombudsman revealed that the student’s application error, indicating self-sponsorship instead of government sponsorship, led to HELB initially processing only her tuition without upkeep funds.
- HELB has confirmed the student’s eligibility for government-sponsored funding and released the additional amount after she corrected her sponsorship details on the HEF Student Portal.
A Pwani University student has received Sh55,200 in upkeep funds from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) after the Commission on Administrative Justice (Ombudsman) intervened over her delayed allocation.
The Commission said the student sought its assistance after HELB released tuition funding but failed to provide money for her upkeep.
She had applied for higher education funding in August 2025, seeking support for both tuition and personal expenses while undertaking her studies.
According to the commission, the student was eligible for government-sponsored funding but mistakenly indicated in her application that she was self-sponsored. The error resulted in HELB initially processing Sh90,301.80 for her tuition without an upkeep allocation.
The Commission of Administrative Justice, through the Office of the Ombudsman, took up the matter and wrote to HELB on May 11, 2026, seeking an explanation for the delay.
HELB subsequently confirmed that the student qualified for government-sponsored funding and advised her to correct her sponsorship information on the Higher Education Financing (HEF) Student Portal.
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After updating the details, her application was reviewed, leading to the release of an additional Sh55,200 for upkeep. The commission announced the resolution of the case on Wednesday, August 12, as applications for government higher education funding for the 2026/2027 academic year remain open.
The funding window covers first-time applicants seeking university loans and scholarships as well as students enrolled in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
Students have been advised to provide accurate information when submitting their applications to prevent delays or errors in the processing of their funding.
Those who receive their allocations and believe the amounts are incorrect can appeal through the HEF portal, provided they have evidence supporting their claims.
By Jonathan Mwinzi
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