- HELB has opened applications for its 2026/2027 Postgraduate Partial Scholarship Programme, offering KSh200,000 to Master’s students and KSh450,000 to PhD candidates, with priority for STEM and Agriculture learners.
- Eligible applicants must be Kenyan citizens with at least a Second Class Honours (Upper Division) admitted to a CUE-accredited university.
- HELB has warned against fraudsters promising guaranteed scholarships and encouraged persons with disabilities to apply.
The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has opened applications for the 2026/2027 Postgraduate Partial Scholarship Programme, offering financial relief to Kenyan graduates pursuing Master’s and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) studies.
The scholarship targets students enrolled in Master’s and PhD programmes at public and private universities accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), with priority given to learners in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Agriculture — fields considered central to Kenya’s economic growth, industrial development, food security and innovation agenda.
HELB said the initiative reflects the government’s continued commitment to strengthening postgraduate education by removing financial barriers that have historically locked out many qualified graduates from advancing their academic and professional careers.
ALSO READ:
MPs push for relaxed U.S. visa rules, increased scholarships for Kenyan students
Funding Amounts and Eligibility Requirements
Under the 2026/27 funding framework, successful Master’s students will receive a partial scholarship of KSh200,000 tenable for two academic years, while PhD candidates will be awarded KSh450,000 spread over three years. The awards are expected to significantly ease the cost of tuition, research and other academic expenses.
To qualify, applicants must be Kenyan citizens admitted to a CUE-accredited university, and must have attained at least a Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in their undergraduate studies. They are also required to present a valid admission letter for a Master’s or PhD programme.
HELB has further stipulated that applicants who benefited from its undergraduate loan programmes must either be actively servicing those loans or have cleared them in full before qualifying for the postgraduate scholarship, a condition the Board says safeguards the sustainability of its revolving education fund for future students.
How to Apply and Fraud Warning
Applications are being processed exclusively through the Higher Education Financing (HEF) online portal, where applicants must register or log in using their national identity card alongside a phone number or email address registered in their name.
Candidates are required to upload supporting documents in PDF format, including their national identity card, university admission letter, academic transcripts or degree certificates, a passport-size photograph and bank account details, and must pay a non-refundable application fee of KSh3,000 through the eCitizen payment platform before submitting their applications.
ALSO READ:
HELB has cautioned applicants against fraudsters claiming they can influence the outcome of the selection process or fast-track applications for a fee, stressing that the scholarship award process is fully automated and handled exclusively by the institution. The Board has also encouraged persons living with disabilities and those with special needs to apply, reaffirming its commitment to inclusivity in higher education.
Education experts have consistently linked investment in postgraduate education to stronger research output, innovation and a more skilled workforce, arguing that advanced training equips graduates to tackle national challenges in health, agriculture, engineering, technology and public policy. The scholarship programme is expected to bolster Kenya’s research and innovation ambitions while strengthening the competitiveness of its universities regionally and globally.
By Hillary Muhalya
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
