Kenya Launches Higher Education Financing Portal

By Samuel Ouma

The Kenyan government on July 31 unveiled an application portal for loans and scholarships for students joining universities, colleges and Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) Institutions.

The portal is part of President William Ruto's New Funding Model, which was rolled out in May 2023.

The model replaces block financing for institutions with a student-centred funding mechanism.

All Scholarships, Loans, and Bursaries will be Means Tested in the New Funding Model for each loan application.

As a result, students will be paid based on their level of need and the program's cost.

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu stated during the launch in Nairobi that out of the 2022 KCSE graduates, over 45,000 university students and 42,000 TVET students are classified as vulnerable and severely needy.

“The categorization will be realized through a reliable scientific method (Means Testing Instrument – MTI), used to determine the student’s level of financial needs, to ensure they are supported adequately,” said Ezekiel Machogu.

He stated that all new students who seek higher education funding must now apply through the higher education finance site www.hef.co.ke.

“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,” he said.

However, continuing students will be unaffected by the new financing model. They will continue to receive support per the government's existing plan.