Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has ordered all University Vice-chancellors and Principals of Constituent Colleges and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to ensure that they release students’ admission letters latest by August 2, 2023, this week.
Speaking today July 31, 2023, at the Kenya Scholl of Government during the release of the 2023/2024 Universities and Colleges student placement results and Launch of the application portal for loans and scholarships, the speedy release of the admission letters is to allow students apply for loans and bursaries from August 3, 2023.
The deadline for application as per Machogu’s direction will be August 27, 2023, urging students to stick to the set timelines for speedy processing of their loans and bursaries ahead of their joining in September this year.
“I direct Vice-Chancellors and Principals to ensure letters of admission are released by August 2, 2023. This will allow students to apply for loans and bursaries from August 3, 2023, to midnight of August 27, 2023,” said Machogu.
“I urge students to ensure they stick to the set timelines to ensure speedy processing of scholarships and loans since most Universities are preparing to admit First Year students in September,” he added.
While unveiling the new portal for university and TVET students to get scholarships and loans, Machogu stated that the Higher Education Financing (HEF) Portal will now allow students to make applications for scholarships, loans, and bursaries.
Under the model, those students falling under the vulnerable and extremely needy band will qualify for 100 percent government funding for their studies with the money coming as scholarships and loans, and those deemed to be needy and less needy will get 93 percent government funding, with the students bearing 7 percent of the tuition costs.
“For the first time, students whose households are at the bottom of the pyramid shall enjoy equal opportunities in accessing university and TVET education through 100 percent Government Funding. This means, their households are not expected to pay anything for the program cost and additionally, the student will receive upkeep from the loan,” said Machogu.
Out of the 2022 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) cohort, over 45,000 university students and 42,000 TVET students are categorized as vulnerable and extremely needy, and they will be fully funded with Government Scholarships and Loans.
According to Machogu, the categorization will be realized through a reliable scientific method known as the Means Testing Instrument, which is used to determine the student’s level of financial needs, in order to ensure they are supported adequately.
Students who require funding will mandatorily be required to make a formal application through the portal accessible at www.hef.co.ke. However, continuing students will not be affected by the funding model and will continue to receive their funding based on the previous funding model.
“Since the Presidential directive on 3rd May 2023 on the roll-out of the New Funding Model, the Government has developed and completed the Higher Education Financing Portal, to receive applications for both Scholarships, Loans, and Bursaries for University and TVET students. Students who require funding MUST make formal application through the Higher Education Financing portal, accessible at www.hef.co.ke,” stated Machogu.
In relation to the recent move where the Cabinet approved the provision of bridging courses, Machogu noted that the Ministry of Education working together with the relevant stakeholders, is working on guidelines and modalities for implementing the directive, beginning September of this year.
“I wish to mention that the Cabinet recently approved the provision of foundation or bridging courses, to enable students to meet the Mean Grade or cluster subject requirements, for admission to university or to specific university programs. This measure will create opportunities for many students who would otherwise have been denied the chance to exploit their potential,” he said.
By Roy Hezron
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