The Government has today launched the application portal for the New Higher Education Funding (NFM) (www.hef.co.ke) for both Scholarship and Loans for students placed by Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service [KUCCPS] effective Financial Year [FY] 2023/2024.
The launch follows the Presidential Directive on 03rd May 2023 signaling the intention of Government to overhaul higher education student funding model by aligning placement, Government scholarship and loans to be responsive to the needs of students and their programme costs.
Speaking during the launch at the Kenya School of Government, Cabinet Secretary for Education Hon. Ezekiel Machogu stated that the new funding model will ensure inclusivity and no student will be left behind.
“For the first time, students whose households are at the bottom of the pyramid shall enjoy equal opportunities in accessing university and TVET education. Out of the 2022 KCSE graduates, over 45,000 university students and 42,000 TVET students categorized as vulnerable and extremely needy, will be fully funded under the Government Scholarships and Loans”, said Hon. Machogu.
Consequently, the Government through the Higher Education Loans Board [HELB], Universities Fund, State Department for TVET, and KUCCPS has today launched the Higher Education Financing Portal, to receive applications for both Scholarships and Loans.
Furthermore, “Students who require funding MUST make formal application through Higher Education Financing portal (www.hef.co.ke) upon placement by KUCCPS and getting admission letters to Universities or Colleges. The requirements and application process has been clearly mapped out in the portal.” added Hon. Machogu.
However, 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 Cabinet Secretary also directed the Vice Chancellors, Principals and other relevant Government agencies to ensure smooth and successful implementation of this NFM model.
About the New Education Funding Model
The new funding model allocation is based on a reliable Means Testing Instrument [MTI], that is scientific and
robust in determining the student’s level of financial needs, to ensure they are supported adequately.
About Higher Education Loans Board
The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) is a state body established by an Act of Parliament – CAP 213A in 1995 mandated to provide loans, bursaries and scholarships to Kenyans pursuing higher education in recognized Kenyan Universities and Colleges and to recover the same after completion of studies to facilitate establishment of a revolving fund. The Board is therefore well aligned to Chapter 4, Section 43 (1) (f) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, that every person has the right to education.