Thousands of students admitted to Kenya’s public universities can now apply for government scholarships and student loans after the Universities Fund officially opened applications for the 2026-27 academic year under the country’s Student-Centred Funding Model.
The application window, which opened on July 8, will remain open until September 6, 2026, according to Universities Fund Acting Chief Executive Edwin Wanyonyi.
Eligible students can submit applications through the Higher Education Financing (HEF) Portal. The same platform is also being used for applications for Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans. Both applications are free and are submitted once per academic year.
The announcement comes shortly after the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) released placement results for the 2026-27 academic year, clearing the way for successful applicants to seek government financial aid before reporting to university.
More Than 202,000 Students Placed in Degree Programmes
KUCCPS placed 202,133 students into degree programmes this year, forming part of 293,869 learners admitted across universities and other tertiary institutions, including diploma, craft certificate and artisan programmes.
While releasing the placement results in Nairobi on July 8, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said 8,915 students who qualified for degree admission instead chose to pursue non-degree courses.
Wanyonyi urged eligible students not to wait until the deadline.
“We encourage public university students to apply for the Universities Fund scholarships as early as possible to facilitate the timely processing, award and disbursement of financial support ahead of the commencement of their studies,” he said.
Government Increases Scholarship Funding
The Kenyan government has allocated Ksh30.8 billion to the Universities Fund for the 2026-27 financial year, representing a significant increase from Ksh18.4 billion allocated during the previous financial year.
The additional funding is intended to expand scholarship support for students enrolled in public universities.
Scholarship funds are paid directly to universities to offset tuition costs, while HELB loans provide additional financial support for eligible students.
How the Student-Centred Funding Model Works
The Student-Centred Funding Model assesses every applicant’s financial circumstances using a Means Testing Instrument (MTI), which evaluates household income, family background and other socio-economic indicators before determining the level of support.
Students admitted to public universities may qualify for both a government scholarship and a HELB loan. Those joining private universities are eligible to apply for HELB loans but do not qualify for Universities Fund scholarships.
The amount awarded varies depending on a student’s financial need and the cost of the academic programme.
Scholarship vs HELB Loan
Although both forms of funding are processed through the same portal, they serve different purposes.
A government scholarship is non-repayable financial assistance that primarily covers part of a student’s tuition fees and is paid directly to the university.
A HELB loan, on the other hand, must be repaid after graduation under the board’s repayment terms, including the applicable interest rate. The loan is divided into two components: tuition, which is sent directly to the institution, and upkeep, which is deposited into the student’s bank account or M-Pesa wallet to help cover living expenses such as accommodation, food and transport.
The upkeep amount varies depending on the student’s funding band and assessed financial need.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for a Universities Fund scholarship, applicants must:
- Be Kenyan citizens.
- Have been placed in a public university by KUCCPS.
- Have sat the KCSE examination in 2022 or later.
- Submit their application through the Higher Education Financing Portal before the deadline.
Students can also complete their applications using the USSD code *642#, provided they use the mobile phone number registered on the HEF Portal.
Documents Required
First-time applicants are expected to provide:
- A valid email address.
- A mobile phone number registered in their name.
- KCPE and KCSE index numbers and examination years.
- A recent passport-size photograph.
- University admission letter.
- Birth certificate or national identity card.
- Parent or guardian’s national ID number and registered mobile phone number.
- Parent’s death certificate, where applicable.
Wanyonyi encouraged applicants to ensure all submitted information is accurate to avoid delays during verification and processing.
He also urged parents, guardians and sponsors to assist students in gathering the required documentation before the application deadline.
#WahiScholarship Campaign Launched
To boost awareness, the Universities Fund has rolled out a nationwide campaign dubbed #WahiScholarship, aimed at encouraging eligible students to submit applications before the September deadline.
The initiative seeks to improve public awareness of eligibility requirements, required documentation and application procedures, reducing the number of students who miss out on financial support because of incomplete information or late applications.
Since the Student-Centred Funding Model was introduced in 2023, more than 400,000 students have received government scholarships through the Universities Fund.
The first group of students admitted under the funding model is expected to graduate next year, marking the completion of the first full cycle of higher education financing reforms in Kenya.
Read Also: How to Apply and Get HELB Loan: A Guide for Students in 2026
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