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The Government has released Sh3.9 billion as the first tranche financing to cover scholarships for Government-sponsored First-Year students in public universities under the new higher education funding model.
Beneficiaries of the scholarships are those who successfully made their applications through the Higher Education Financing portal (www.hef.co.ke) that was launched on the 31st of August 2023.
In a press statement, the Cabinet Secretary for Education Ezekiel Machogu revealed that a total of 115,892 First-Year students had successfully applied for scholarships by 29th of November 2023.
He added that Universities Fund will disburse the Sh3.9 billion directly to individual universities for the successful applicants to cover their tuition fees based on the student’s individual need under the new funding model.
The CS assured that all Universities will receive the scholarship portions for their respective students by 4th December 2023.
Further, Machogu stated that the release of the scholarship amount brings to Sh9.2 billion the amount of money the Government has so far released to first year students under the new higher education funding model that President William Ruto launched on May 31, 2023.
He said that early this month, the Government, through the Higher Education Loans Board, disbursed Sh5.3 billion for loans to the First-Year students.
“The allocation of funds to students was based on a reliable scientific method, Means Testing Instrument (MTI), used to determine the student’s level of financial need, to ensure they are supported adequately. First-year students who sat the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education Examination in 2022 are the first cohort to benefit from the new model,” he disclosed.
According to the CS, the Ministry of Education reiterates the Government’s unwavering commitment to promoting access to university education, and providing financial support to all deserving students, to ensure no one is left out.
By Michael Omondi