Students joining private Universities not eligible for gov't scholarship - CS Machogu

Speaking during the launch at the University of Nairobi (UoN) on Wednesday, CS Machogu said that all the 869,782 candidates will be eligible to enrol in any institution of their choice.

Out of the aforementioned number, CS Machogu stated that 173,127 candidates who attained the minimum entry grade of C+ will enroll for degree courses.

Those who attained C grade and below will be absorbed in all Technical and Vocational Education Training Institutions (TVET) institutions across the country.

The Education CS further stated that all institutions have already met all conditions required to enrol students and have already published course fees for different study programmes on their websites.

"This will guide students to make choices based on their income levels of their households," said CS Machogu.

Upon being selected, said the CS, students will be given the option to apply for government scholarships from the University fund as guided by the new funding model announced by President William Ruto.  

"They will also have opportunities to apply for HELB (Government loan) which will be allocated upon using a full-proof tool used to assess students to be awarded scholarships," said CS Machogu.

However, the government scholarship will only be eligible for students who will join public universities and not those who opt for private universities.

"I wish to reiterate that students who will select courses in Public Universities will be eligible to access both the Government scholarships and loans, while those who will select Private Universities will be eligible to Government loans only," said CS Machogu. 

"The whole idea is premised on the fact each student should be treated on the level of their need and that no deserving student should be denied an opportunity to acquire higher education and training in the institution of their choice," he added.

Students will be guided on how to apply for scholarships and loans by their respective institutions in accordance with the funding model.

Machogu added that at least 45,000 students from needy and vulnerable backgrounds will access free university education as government will meet their full education costs. 

The funding model will see students being categorised according to 3 levels of need; vulnerable, less vulnerable and able.

Students from less needy households will receive scholarships of up to 53 per cent and loans of up to 40 per cent.

At the same time able students will be funded up to a maximum of 38 per cent of the cost of the program and 55 per cent in the form of loans.

Those joining TVETs will be funded to the tune of 32 per cent for government scholarships and 48 per cent for government loans.

CS Machogu announced that he has instructed KUCCPS to partner will the Huduma secretariat to allow students to apply from all Huduma Centres across the nation to help students be guided in applications.

The application exercise, according to Machogu, should be completed in August to allow students to report to their respective universities in September.