The Government has today released Sh3.9 Billion as the first part of finance to cover scholarships.
According to CS Machogu, beneficiaries of the scholarships are those who successfully made their applications through the HEF portal.
The funding was meant for Governments sponsored first-year students in public universities under the New Higher Education Funding Model.
The new portal, (www.hef.co.ke), was launched on the 31st of August 2023.
A total of 115,892 First Year students had successfully applied for scholarships due 29th of November 2023.
“The 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”, said Cs Machogu.
He further added that all Universities will receive the scholarship portions for their respective students due 4th December 2023.
Further, Machogu said that the release of the scholarship amounted to sh 9.2 Billion.
Early last month, the Government, through the Higher Education Loans Board, disburserd sh 5.3 Billion for loans to the First Year students.
Consequently , the CS noted that the allocation of funds to students was based on a reliable scientific method Means Testing Instrument (MTI).
First year students who sat the KCSE in 2022 are the first cohort to benefit from the new model.
” The Ministry of Education wishes to express the Government’s unwavering commitment to promoting access to university education,” noted Machogu.
He added “providing financial support to all deserving students, to ensure no one is left behind”.
