CS Machogu Extends Deadline For University Loans Application

Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ezekiel Machogu on Wednesday, September 6 extended the deadline for applications for Higher Education Loans and scholarships by one month.

In a statement, the CS revealed that the deadline was extended to Saturday, October 7.

“The application period for loans and scholarships that was initially scheduled to lapse on September 7, 2023, has now been extended to October 7, 2023,” read the statement in part.

The CS revealed that the deadline was meant to give 112,468 students a chance to apply for the scholarships and loans, representing 40 per cent of the potential total application count of 265,000 students.

In line with a Cabinet directive resolving to scrap the requirement for national identity cards for those applying for the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), Machogu directed HELB to review its portal to ensure all the 2,000 students yet to attain the age of 18 to apply for HELB loans.

As of September 5, only 156,532 students had applied for both University Fund scholarships and HELB loans.

The CS indicated that this figure represents only 60% of students placed by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) based on their performance in the 2022 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.

“The Universities Fund and Higher Education Loans Board have been directed to put in place measures to commence immediate and speedy processing of scholarships and bursaries for all students who have already applied. Thereafter, the agencies will ensure the processing and disbursement exercise of scholarships and loans is conducted on a continuing basis,” he continued.

Machogu further directed universities to provide enough lead time for first-year students to report to their institutions to ensure none is locked out of joining campus.

"Where universities have already commenced admission of First Years, measures must be in place to ensure students are not turned away for failure to pay school fees as the Government processes their funds applications," he further directed.

The Universities Fund and Higher Education Loans Board were mandated to station their staff at all Huduma Centres countrywide to assist students in need of assistance regarding the application process for scholarships and loans.

Machogu also assured that no student will miss joining university because of failure to pay fees. Out of the 2022 KCSE graduates placed by KUCCPS, students categorised as vulnerable and extremely needy will get full Government funding through Scholarships and Loans.

The Cabinet had revoked the mandatory ID card requirement, opening the door for students without IDs to use their birth certificates while applying.

Checklist for Loans and Scholarships Applications

To apply, applicants must possess a valid email address, a registered phone number under their name, as well as their KCPE and KCSE index numbers along with the respective examination year. 

Additionally, prospective students must provide their College/University admission letter and, for those under secondary school sponsorship, a copy of the sponsorship letter.

Applicants are also required to provide details about their parents and guardians. In instances where a parent has passed away, the submission of a death certificate is required for application.

After fulfilling the requirements, students can make their applications by visiting the HEF portal accessible via www.hef.co.ke

CS Machogu on Monday, July 31 stated that 45,000 university students and 42,000 TVET students from poor households who sat for their KCSE in 2022 will receive a fully funded scholarship from the government in the new model.