Government and Policy

Here Is Why First-Years Missed University Funding According To HELB

BY Getrude Mathayo · July 7, 2023 04:07 pm

A group of university students awaiting High Education Loans Board (HELB) disbursements suffered a setback as a result of a change in their application status.

According to the statement released by HELB, they were unable to disperse funds for all students for the 2022-2023 academic year due to financial challenges.

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The majority of students who complained about missing the HELB funding were the first years who said their application status was suddenly changed from verification to allocation.

“We regret that your Financial Year 2022/23 application will not be funded due to budgetary constraints. Apply for the 2023/24 subsequent application once we open,” read the statement in part.

“We received applications from students who missed out. Everything was verified but unfortunately due to financial constraints, were unable to help them.

“As soon as we open the application, they do not have to apply afresh. They will apply as subsequent applicants,” he explained noting that the board will provide the applicants with a USSD code to facilitate their mobile applications.

The HELB official added that continuing students should not worry because they will receive their disbursement on time.

“We financed almost 100 percent of continuing students since we had to prioritize the lot. Our reasoning was that the students were already in session and therefore largely depended on the loan,” he explained.

In March 2023, HELB was struggling to finance over 140,000 students. The disruption came two months before universities adopted a new funding model proposed by President William Ruto’s government.

The first-year students joining the university in September 2023 will be funded through scholarships and loans. Students receiving government funding will be categorized as; vulnerable, less vulnerable, and able.

Government-funded students will be divided into three categories: vulnerable, less vulnerable, and capable. Less disadvantaged students will receive a 53 percent scholarship and a 30 percent loan, while more vulnerable students would receive 100 percent funding in the form of scholarships.