The Universities Fund has officially opened scholarship applications for continuing university students under the student-Centred Funding Model for the 2026/27 academic year, providing eligible learners with an opportunity to access financial support as they continue their studies.
In a notice issued on Wednesday, June 3, the Fund announced that students advancing to their second, third, and fourth years of study can now submit applications for scholarship funding.
The move is aimed at ensuring that students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds continue receiving support throughout their academic journey.
According to the Universities Fund, eligible students can conveniently apply for the scholarship through their mobile phones by dialing *642# and following the prompts provided during the application process.
“The Universities Fund Subsequent Scholarship Application is now open for continuing university students joining 2nd, 3rd and 4th year in the 2026/2027 academic year under the student-Centred Funding Model,” the Fund stated in its announcement.
The opening of scholarship applications comes just days after the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) launched subsequent loan applications for continuing students, signaling the government’s continued efforts to facilitate access to higher education financing.
However, the Universities Fund clarified that the scholarship opportunity is only available to a specific category of students.
To qualify, applicants must have been placed in public universities through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Placement Service (KUCCPS). Students who were placed by KUCCPS in private universities are not eligible for the scholarship.
Similarly, self-sponsored students studying in public universities cannot apply for the funding, as the scholarship is strictly reserved for learners admitted through the government placement system. International students pursuing studies in Kenyan universities have also been excluded from the programme.
The Universities Fund was established in 2023 as part of the government’s implementation of the new higher education financing framework.
The fund was created to provide scholarship support to students under the Student-Centred Funding Model, which was first introduced for learners who sat the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination in 2022 and thereafter.
The funding model was designed to replace the previous system of uniform funding by allocating financial assistance based on individual students’ economic circumstances.
Under the model, students are assessed according to their level of need to determine the amount of scholarship and loan support they qualify for.
“To be eligible for the scholarship, one must be a Kenyan and a candidate who sat their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination from 2022 onwards,” the Universities Fund stated.
Scholarship allocations are determined using the Means Testing Instrument (MTI), a tool that evaluates the socio-economic status of applicants.
The assessment considers various factors, including household income and other indicators of financial need, to ensure that support reaches students who require it most.
Officials say the Universities Fund provides scholarships covering between 30 and 70 percent of tuition costs, depending on a student’s assessed level of financial need. Students classified as highly needy receive a larger scholarship allocation, while those deemed less vulnerable receive lower levels of support.
The remaining portion of university fees is expected to be met through a combination of household contributions and financing from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB). This blended approach seeks to ensure that students are able to access higher education without being locked out by financial constraints.
How To Apply
- Dial *642# on your mobile phone to access the application portal.
- Register using a phone number that is registered under your name. The system will generate a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for verification purposes.
- Once registered, navigate to the Scholarship/Loans menu and select Undergraduate Subsequent Scholarship and Loan.
- Proceed to answer the financial literacy questions that will appear on your screen as part of the application process.
- Carefully review your personal information, including your National ID number, to ensure all details are correct and up to date.
- Read and accept the terms and conditions before submitting your application.
- After successful submission, a confirmation pop-up message containing your unique application serial number will be sent to your phone
Read Also: KUCCPS Extends Deadline For University And TVET Course Application