Ministry of Education orders extension of HELB, University Fund applications to September 21

The Ministry of Education directed the Universities Fund and the Higher Education Loans Board to extend the application period for all eligible applicants to September 21, 2026. 

The previous application window, which lapsed on August 31, 2026, had a total of 789,422 applications, and the Ministry has noted that some eligible students and trainees may not have met the initial deadline on account of various causes. 

Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Ogamba also reported that the Government has already disbursed Ksh.22.12 billion in the first semester funding to continuing university students and TVET trainees. 

CS Ogamba further clarified that funding applications for first-time applicants will be considered and processed in accordance with the current student-centred funding model. 

This comes after reports of confusion in public universities over the government’s funding model, which allegedly left hundreds of students stranded at home, and those who have reported for the first year struggling without disbursements for loans and scholarships.

The Ministry noted that appropriate transitional mechanisms to the universal access and funding framework will be implemented once Parliament passes the Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Bill, 2026.

All eligible first-time applicants in Universities and TVETs are called to apply within the extended window.