2025 KCSE candidates urged to apply for scholarships as Ksh.30.8B allocated

The Universities Fund (UF) said the scholarships are available to the 202,133 students placed in public universities by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), with applications running through the Higher Education Financing (HEF) Portal until September 6.

Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Edwin Wanyonyi encouraged students to submit their applications early to allow sufficient time for processing and disbursement before they report to university.

"We encourage public university students to apply for the Universities Fund scholarships as early as possible to facilitate the timely processing, award and disbursement of financial support ahead of the commencement of their studies," said Dr Wanyonyi.

The Ksh.30.8 billion allocation for the 2026/2027 financial year represents an increase of Ksh.12.4 billion from the Ksh.18.4 billion allocated in the previous financial year.

Under the Student-Centred Funding Model, students admitted to public universities qualify for both Universities Fund scholarships and Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans, while those joining private universities are only eligible for HELB loans.

The amount of financial support awarded is determined by a student's household financial need and the cost of the degree programme they have been admitted to.

Dr Wanyonyi urged applicants to ensure the information they provide is accurate and complete to avoid delays in processing.

"I encourage parents, guardians and sponsors to support students throughout the application process and ensure they have all the necessary documents ready in advance to enable them to complete their applications on time," he said.

The Universities Fund has also rolled out a nationwide awareness campaign dubbed #WahiScholarship, aimed at sensitising students on the application process, eligibility requirements and key deadlines.

According to the agency, the initiative seeks to ensure that no eligible student misses out on government financial support due to a lack of information.

Since the rollout of the Student-Centred Funding Model in 2023, more than 400,000 students have benefited from government scholarships, with the first cohort expected to graduate next year.

Scholarship funds are paid directly to public universities to cover students' tuition fees.

To qualify for the scholarships, applicants must be Kenyan citizens placed in a public university by KUCCPS, have sat the KCSE examination in 2022 or later, and submit their applications through the HEF Portal.

The Universities Fund also noted that applications for continuing students remain open through the HEF Portal or via the USSD code *642#, using the mobile phone number registered on the portal.