Govt Increases HELB Allocations For Students By Ksh5 Billion
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba revealed that the first tranche of HELB loans for first-year university students will be disbursed on August 15
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
The government has announced a significant boost in funding for the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
Following this, allocations were increased from Ksh36 billion to Ksh41 billion in the 2025/2026 financial year, a difference of Ksh5 billion— a move aimed at easing the financial burden on students pursuing higher education.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba revealed that the first tranche of HELB loans for first-year university students will be disbursed on August 15, aligning with the official opening of universities.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba during a meeting with a delegation from the Rockefeller Foundation on April 7, 2025. /JULIUS OGAMBA
The funds will be released in phases to ensure a smooth onboarding process for new students.
Out of the Ksh41 billion allocation, Ksh13 billion will go directly towards tuition and upkeep for students, while Ksh16.9 billion will be channelled through the Universities Fund to support scholarships for those who qualify.
CS Ogamba emphasised that the funding boost is part of the government’s broader effort to eliminate financial barriers to higher education.
Disbursement of the first quarter of scholarship funds has already begun, targeting public universities.
Under the revamped funding model, the Ministry plans to support 201,695 first-year university students and more than 237,000 trainees in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. An additional 257,523 continuing students are also set to benefit.
So far, 64 per cent of expected university applicants and 51 per cent of TVET trainees for the September intake have already submitted their applications.
Scholarship applications remain open for 2024 KCSE candidates placed by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS).
The announcement comes just weeks after HELB sounded the alarm over a funding shortfall, with CEO Geoffrey Monari warning that the board had only received Ksh26 million so far this year — a drastic drop from the Ksh48 billion allocated in the previous cycle.
