Migosi noted that the ministry directed universities to ensure all letters have reached the First Year students by August 19.
Following a directive by President William Ruto on August 14, 2024, instructing universities to release new fee structures to first-year students stipulating the annual household contribution towards the total cost of degree programmes, the Ministry of Education has released new fee structures in line with the specific needs of students.
The new approach is part of an overhaul of the country’s higher education funding system, which will make higher education accessible to all, irrespective of their economic background.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba revealed that all universities are already issuing revised letters to the first batch of 125,893 students who applied for loans and scholarships under the new student-centred model.
Migosi noted that the ministry directed universities to ensure all letters have reached the First Year students by August 19.
Julius Migos Ogamba, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Education, during the Kenya Music Festival State Concert at the Eldoret State Lodge on August 16, 2024. /PCS
In accordance with the tenets of the new Student-Centred Funding Model, students have been awarded scholarships and loans according to their level of need, consistent with any one of the five predetermined bands.
The State Department for Higher Education and Research has published a comprehensive look at what students and parents need to know about the new funding model:
Bands For Funding
The first level includes students from homes earning less than Ksh5,995 per month. These students will receive the highest level of government funding, covering 95 per cent of their university tuition fees through a combination of scholarships and student loans.
Students will also get a Ksh60,000 upkeep allowance, with families only being required to contribute five per cent.
For example, a student in Band 1 pursuing a medicine course costing Ksh612,000 will receive a 70 per cent scholarship from the government, which is Ksh428,400, and a 25 per cent tuition loan, which is Ksh153,000. The student will also receive a Ksh60,000 upkeep allowance. The family will then be required to pay Ksh30,600.
The second level includes students from households with an income ranging from Ksh5,995 to Ksh23,670 per month.
These students will receive the second-highest level of government funding, covering up to 90 per cent of their tuition fees. This funding will consist of a 60 per cent scholarship and 30 per cent student loans.
Students will also get a Ksh55,000 upkeep allowance. Families will only be required to contribute 10 per cent.
In this Band, if a student is pursuing a Bachelor of Education (Science) course which costs Ksh244,800, the government will provide a 60 per cent scholarship which is Ksh146,880, and a 30 per cent tuition loan, which is Ksh73,440. The student will also receive a Ksh55,000 upkeep allowance. This means that the family will only be required to pay Ksh24,480 for the programme.
The third level includes students from households with an estimated income between Ksh23,671 and Ksh70,000 per month. At this level, the government will provide 80 per cent of the tuition costs, consisting of a 50 per cent scholarship and a 30 per cent student loan. Households will be responsible for the remaining 20 per cent. Students will also receive a Ksh50,000 upkeep allowance.
The fourth level consists of students from households with an income between Ksh70,001 and Ksh119,999 per month.
Here, the government will cover 70 per cent of the tuition costs, with 40 per cent coming from scholarships and 30 per cent from student loans. Households will be required to contribute 30 per cent. Students will also receive a Ksh45,000 upkeep allowance.
The fifth level includes students from households with an income above Ksh120,000 per month. At this level, the government will provide 60 per cent of the tuition costs, comprising a 30 per cent scholarship and a 30 per cent student loan. Households will contribute 40 per cent. Students will also receive a Ksh40,000 upkeep allowance.
CS Ogamba said the government will avail Ksh25.3 billion to fund scholarships for the incoming first-year students, stating that “the government reaffirms its commitment to quality and affordable higher education.”
He further assured that the ministry remains dedicated to ensuring that student funding is allocated fairly and equitably, addressing the genuine needs of applicants, stating that the evaluation criteria based on validated application information considered a student’s family economic background, affirmative action, socio-demographic factors, and family education expenditures.
He called on students who may have any queries and appeals on the fees to direct them to their dedicated team through the Higher Education Portal, http://www.hef.co.ke
“In line with the Government’s commitment to leaving no one behind, the application portal will remain open. The Ministry assures that all additional applications will be processed swiftly on a rolling basis,” he said.
The education CS urged eligible students who wish to receive funding and have not yet applied to do so without delay to ensure prompt processing of their applications.
