It is a new way of providing financial support to students enrolled in Universities & TVET institutions to ensure every Kenyan student is assisted according to their level of need.

This is government funding that is student-centered. It is based on the level of need and programme cost. It constitutes scholarship, loan and household contributions.

Students placed in public universities by Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) and TVET trainees under the Ministry of Education (MoE) are eligible for both government scholarships and loans.

Those seeking to pursue their studies in private universities and as parallel/module two/self-sponsored students in public universities are eligible for loans only.

Students are expected to apply for the loans and scholarships through the availed platforms for consideration for funding.

It is a reliable scientific method used to determine the student’s level of financial need by using proxy indicators.

• It ensures that all eligible Kenyan Students are provided with adequate education financial support.
• It promotes the provision of quality education in higher learning institutions.
• It ensures that students are adequately supported based on their level of need.
• To ensure timely disbursement of funds to students and higher learning institutions
• To address the student funding gap

• University students who sat for KCSE in 2022 & 2023; and
• TVET trainees admitted from September 2023.

Upon placement and admission by Universities and TVET Institutions and when the Higher Education Financing (HEF) Student Portal is open for applications.

The amount of funding in scholarship or loan depends on the assessed student’s level of need and the programme cost.

Yes, students placed by KUCCPS in public universities and TVET institutions under the Ministry of Education (MoE) are eligible for upkeep consideration.

Scholarship and loan disbursements are processed at the beginning of the semester subject to confirmations by universities and TVET Institutions. Tuition is disbursed to the institutions whereas upkeep is paid to the student’s personal account.

An applicant can check the status of their application, allocation and disbursement through the HEF Student Portal through www.portal.hef.co.ke.

Yes, the HEF portal has provisioned for online scholarship & loan review application.

Yes, an affected student can fill an online Funds Appeal form. Review is subject to availability of funds.

Yes, all continuing students shall be funded as per the previously existing funding model.

No, students are expected to apply annually for consideration when the applications are opened and can access the funding to a limit of one’s course duration.

No, it is not mandatory for one to apply. Only apply for the scholarship and loan if you need financial assistance during your studies.

Yes, you will be able to submit your first-time application whenever the next application window is open.

Yes, however the transfers must be validated by KUCCPS.

Yes, each student makes their own application which is assessed individually.

Yes, students who are eligible shall apply for government scholarships and loans in the Variable Scholarships and Loans Funding/New Funding Model.  Further, they can also apply for complementary funding from other sources such as County governments, Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and other organizations.

One can contact Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), University Fund (UF) and State Department for Technical Vocational Education and Training (SDTVET) through www.hef.co.ke

Deferments shall be done through Universities and TVET Institutions and reported to the funding agencies.

Yes, second and subsequent applications are done annually whenever the next application window is open.