How To Get Govt Loan & Scholarships Plus Requirements [LIST]

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu on Monday, July 31 launched a portal for the new funding model portal for higher education, to benefit students joining Universities and Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) institutions.

Speaking during the release of the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) selection results, Machogu revealed that the new Higher Education Financing (HEF) Portal will allow students to apply for both scholarships, loans and bursaries.

“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,” said Machogu.

The Education CS further noted that students who require funding must first make a formal application in the HEF Portal.

Even before making their applications, they will have to follow a checklist of requirements to obtain the government loans and scholarships, designed for learners who sat for the Kenya Certificate for Secondary Education (KCSE) in 2022.

Checklist for Loans and Scholarships Applications

1. A valid email address, which will be used to sign up an account for the purposes of uploading and submitting documents.

2. Valid telephone number, which must be registered in the student's name in order for them to be able to apply for a loan.

3. KCPE and KCSE index numbers and year of examination.

4. Passport-size photo, which will be uploaded to the account.

5. Copy of your National Identification (ID) (for loan application).

6. College/University admission letter.

7. Your parents' registered telephone number.

8. Your parents' national ID number.

9. Death certificate if any of your parents are deceased.

10. Two guarantors' ID numbers and registered telephone numbers (for loan application).

11. Copy of the sponsorship letter if you were sponsored in Secondary school.

12. Your birth certificate

How to Apply

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

“The continuing students will not be affected by this funding model and will continue to receive their funding based on the Government’s existing model,” the CS however cautioned.

According to the CS, 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.

“The categorisation will be realised through a reliable scientific method Means Testing Instrument, used to determine the student’s level of financial needs, to ensure they are supported adequately," he added.

On Wednesday, May 3, President William Ruto revealed that the new model will be student-centred and the funds will be channelled through scholarships and loans.

"This new funding model does not increase university fees. Under the new model, we are increasing the university allocation in the new financial year from Ksh54 billion to Ksh84.6 billion.

"Universities and TVETS will no longer receive block funding in the form of capitation based on a Differentiated Unit Cost. Funding to students shall combine scholarships, loans and Household contributions on a graduated scale," he stated.

According to the Head of State, the new model will include students categorised into three: the Vulnerable, the Less Vulnerable and the Able.

Ruto noted that the government would issue full scholarships for vulnerable students, thus sparing their parents from the need to pay any amount for the education of the students. 

However, for the students in the less vulnerable category, the government would offer them a scholarship that would pay up to 53 per cent of their education and issue them with a 40 per cent loan.

Those joining TVET institutions will receive scholarships of 50 per cent of their fees and 30 per cent in loans.

The less needy students who are joining university will get scholarships of up to 38 per cent of the cost of their education and loans of 55 per cent.