Machogu Extends University Scholarships’ Application Deadline

The Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has extended the deadline for application for Higher Education Funding loans and scholarships by one month. The initial deadline of September 7 has now been pushed to October 7.

“The period for applying for loans and scholarships, which was initially set to conclude on September 7, 2023, has now been prolonged until October 7, 2023,” he said.

CS Machogu said the move is one of the measures the ministry is putting in place to ensure a 100 percent transition into varsities and TVETs. He added that the ministry has waived the requirement of a National ID for students who have not attained the age of 18 years to allow them to apply for Loans.

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“The Ministry has accordingly directed the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) to review its portal to ensure all the 2,000 students yet to attain the age of 18 to apply for the loans,” the CS said.

The Universities have also been urged to give students more time as the government processes funding for the students. The University Fund and Higher Education Loans Board have been directed to put in place measures to commence immediate and speedy processing of scholarships and bursaries for all students who have already applied.

According to Education, as of  September, 5, a total of 156,5322 students had applied for both Universities Fund Scholarships and Helb loans, translating to 60 percent of students placed by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS).

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Additionally,  Machogu has directed all to provide enough lead time for first-year students to report to their institutions to ensure none is locked out of joining campus

“Where universities have already commenced admission of first years, measures must be in place to ensure students are not turned away for failure to pay school fees as the Government processes their funds applications,” Machogu said.

The University Fund and Higher Education Loans Board must station their staff at all Huduma Centres countrywide to assist students in need of assistance regarding the application process for scholarships and loans.

“In the meantime, I wish to assure the country that no student will miss to join university because of failure to pay fees,” Machogu said.

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