HELB has disclosed the amount each university student will be given annually based on the course under the new funding model that was revealed by the state. The model, whose pattern is based on financial needs, therefore varies these allocations depending on the specific course and category of funding.
HELB has categorized students into four parts: vulnerable, really needy, needy, and lastly, not so needy. The vulnerable, extremely needy, and very needy students will access full funding, which caters to 100% of their educational expenses. The others, who are considered needy and not-so-needy, will access 93% funding.
For instance, the Bachelor of Arts degree programme, for whose fees are Ksh122,400 per year, the students will get to benefit from Ksh85,680 in scholarship. Ksh30,600 is also to benefit students as loans, with parents/guardians generating an income of Ksh6,120 per year. These students will also be entitled to a Ksh60,000 per year in the form of an annual up keep allowance.
The levels of funding vary from course to course and from one category to another. For example, a Bachelor of Commerce student within Band 1 will be expected to contribute Ksh11,008, while a student within Band 5 will contribute Ksh88,060. Similarly, in one of the expensive courses, Medicine, Band 1 parents will pay Ksh30,600, with Band 5 parents forking out Ksh244,800.
Loan and scholarship application window for the 2023 cohort was closed on August 15, and a total of 79,038 students have already applied for the same. However, there are 74,237 students yet to apply for the 2023 cohort and therefore putting access to the much-needed funds for their studies at risk.
The scheme, which was introduced at the beginning of May 2023, intends to offer easy access to higher education by financially challenged students.