The Universities Fund has announced that it will release Sh4.2 billion to public universities across Kenya this week to support students under the government’s higher education funding program.
In a statement issued on Thursday, March 12, acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Edwin Wanyonyi confirmed that the funds are part of the 2025/2026 financial year allocation.
Support for Government-Sponsored Students
According to Wanyonyi, the funds are intended to support students who recently enrolled in public universities, particularly those admitted under the government-sponsored student program.
The allocation is expected to help universities continue offering education while easing financial pressure on students and their families.
Higher Education Funding Model
The financial support falls under the Higher Education Funding Model, which was introduced by President William Ruto on May 3, 2023.
The model was designed to address financial challenges facing public universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, especially due to the increasing number of students joining higher learning institutions.
Under the program, the Universities Fund provides scholarships covering between 30 percent and 70 percent of tuition costs, depending on a student’s financial need. The remaining amount is typically covered through family contributions and student loans.
How Students Qualify
To access the funding, students must apply through the Higher Education Financing (HEF) portal.
Applications are evaluated using the Means Testing Instrument (MTI), a system used to assess the financial situation of each applicant and determine the level of support they qualify for.
Government Assurance on University Fees
The announcement comes about a month after the Ministry of Education assured parents and students that public university fees will not increase this year, even as more than 250,000 candidates from the 2025 KCSE examinations prepare to join universities and colleges.
While releasing the 2025 KCSE results in Uasin Gishu, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the government is implementing measures to keep tertiary education affordable.
Ogamba also noted that the ministry has rationalized public university fees by between 15 percent and 40 percent, setting semester costs at between Sh5,800 and Sh75,000 depending on the course.
He emphasized that the student-centered funding model ensures learners receive scholarships and loans based on their financial needs, helping more students access higher education.
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