Education

Kenyan government extends deadline for Higher Education Fund scholarships amid broader funding reforms

Sunday, 7 September 2025 4:31AM UTC

The Higher Education Fund in Kenya has reopened applications for first-time scholarships and revisions, extending the deadline to promote inclusivity amidst recent reforms shifting towards need-based funding in higher education.

The Higher Education Fund (HEF) in Kenya has officially opened applications for first-time scholarships, inviting students who have yet to apply as well as those who experienced challenges during the initial application process to submit or revise their details. In an announcement dated September 6, HEF urged students who previously faced issues such as self-sponsorship, transfers, or incorrect institution information to update their records. This opportunity is available until the extended deadline of September 14, 2025, ensuring a broader reach of financial support for students pursuing higher education.

This reopening comes as part of the Kenyan government's broader effort to support students through the recently introduced Higher Education Funding (HEF) model. Launched by President William Ruto in May 2023, this model replaces the previous Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) system, shifting focus towards student financial need rather than placement. According to the Universities Fund, which administers the HEF scheme, this model combines scholarships, loans, and household contributions to equitably allocate resources among students attending public universities and TVET institutions. The aim is to address the challenges posed by increased enrolment and inadequate funding in the higher education sector.

Applicants seeking HEF first-time scholarships or loans are advised to register and apply through the official portals—www.hef.co.ke or www.universitiesfund.go.ke—by accessing the student portal. The application process requires either a National ID or KCSE exam details for verification, followed by the completion of a detailed profile encompassing personal, academic, and parental information. Students must also provide consent for data processing and accept loan terms where applicable. Once submitted, applications cannot be edited, prompting applicants to carefully review their forms before finalisation.

For students needing to amend previously submitted information, the portal allows updates to critical data such as National IDs, institution details, and contact information. Changes involving bank or mobile payment details require additional documentation available on the HELB website. This comprehensive approach strives to ensure that all eligible students participate in the funding programme, backed by government directives to prevent any student from missing out.

The financial aid offered under the HEF is distributed according to a new banding system based on family income levels. As reported by financial news sources, families earning up to Ksh 5,995 fall into Band 1 and receive the highest scholarship percentage, while those in higher income brackets contribute more towards education costs. This targeted structure is designed to maximise support for economically disadvantaged students while balancing contributions from those with greater financial capacity.

Additional guidance from educational platforms advises applicants that scholarships under this scheme do not require guarantors, simplifying the process for many families. With the government’s emphasis on accessibility and transparency, students are encouraged to stay informed through official portals and news channels to meet deadlines and understand the funding benefits available to them.

The extension of the application deadline, highlighted by the Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, reflects a government commitment to widening access to educational finance. This move aims to alleviate the financial burden on Kenyan students, thereby fostering greater participation in higher education and contributing to national socio-economic development.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://thekenyatimes.com/education/hef-opens-scholarship-applications-and-revisions-for-students-how-to-apply/ - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.hef.co.ke/ - The Higher Education Fund (HEF) is a Kenyan government initiative that provides financial support to students pursuing higher education. The HEF portal offers scholarships, loans, and bursaries to eligible students, with applications accessible through their website. The funding model focuses on addressing financial challenges in universities and TVET institutions, ensuring that students receive adequate support based on their assessed levels of need. The portal also provides resources and guidance for applicants, including eligibility criteria and application procedures.
https://www.universitiesfund.go.ke/ - The Universities Fund (UF) is a Kenyan government agency responsible for financing public universities. The UF website provides information on scholarships, grants, and loans available to students. It details the new funding model that replaced the Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) system, emphasizing student financial need over placement. The model combines scholarships, loans, and household contributions to support students. The website also offers application procedures, eligibility criteria, and contact information for further assistance.
https://money.ke/hef-university-scholarship-bands/ - This article discusses the new Higher Education Funding (HEF) model in Kenya, which introduces a banding system to determine financial aid for university students. The bands categorize students based on their family's monthly income, ranging from Band 1 (up to Ksh 5,995) to Band 5 (above Ksh 120,000). Each band specifies the percentage of scholarship, loan, and family contribution, as well as the upkeep loan amount. The model aims to provide more support to students from low-income families and adjust contributions from higher-income families.
https://www.tuko.co.ke/facts-lifehacks/guides/600726-how-apply-government-scholarship-kenya-step-by-step-guide/ - This guide provides a step-by-step process for applying for government scholarships in Kenya. It outlines the eligibility criteria, including the requirement for students who sat for their KCSE examination from 2022 onwards. The application process involves visiting the HEF, Universities Fund, HELB, or KUCCPS websites, registering, logging in, filling in personal profiles, and uploading necessary documents. The guide emphasizes that no guarantors are required for scholarship applications and provides detailed instructions to assist students in successfully applying for financial support.
https://www.universitiesfund.go.ke/new-higher-education-funding-model/ - This page details the New Higher Education Funding Model introduced by President William Ruto on May 3, 2023. The model aims to address challenges faced by public universities and TVET institutions due to massive enrollment and inadequate funding. It replaces the Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) model, focusing on student financial need and separating placement from funding. Funding is provided through scholarships, loans, and household contributions, ensuring that students receive support based on their assessed levels of need.
https://allafrica.com/stories/202309060315.html - This article reports on the Kenyan government's extension of the application deadline for university scholarships and loans. The Ministry of Education, through Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, directed the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and the Universities Fund to extend the application deadline to Sunday, September 14, 2025. This extension aims to ensure that no student misses out on financial support for higher education. The article also provides information on the disbursement of funds and encourages students to check their HEF portals for updates.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative is recent, dated September 6, 2025, and pertains to the reopening of scholarship applications by the Higher Education Fund (HEF) in Kenya. The HEF portal is currently closed for applications, indicating that the information is up-to-date. ([hef.co.ke](https://www.hef.co.ke/?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score: 7

Notes: The narrative includes direct quotes from the Education Cabinet Secretary, Julius Ogamba, regarding the extension of the application deadline. These quotes are not found in earlier material, suggesting they are original to this report. However, the phrasing and content of the quotes are consistent with official statements from government officials, which may be standard in such announcements.

Source reliability

Score: 6

Notes: The narrative originates from The Kenya Times, a news outlet that is not widely recognised. The Universities Fund, a key player in the HEF, has an official website, but there is no direct link to this specific announcement. ([hef.co.ke](https://www.hef.co.ke/?utm_source=openai)) The lack of coverage from more reputable sources raises questions about the reliability of the information.

Plausability check

Score: 7

Notes: The narrative aligns with the Kenyan government's recent efforts to support students through the HEF model, which was launched in May 2023. ([universitiesfund.go.ke](https://www.universitiesfund.go.ke/new-higher-education-funding-model/?utm_source=openai)) The extension of the application deadline to September 14, 2025, is plausible and consistent with such initiatives. However, the absence of coverage from more established news outlets makes the claim less certain.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative presents recent information about the reopening of scholarship applications by the HEF, with direct quotes from a government official. However, the source is not widely recognised, and the lack of coverage from more reputable outlets raises questions about the reliability of the information. Further verification from established news sources is recommended to confirm the accuracy of the claims.

Kenya
Higher Education Funding
Scholarships