Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Ogamba has announced a government directive issued to universities to provide new letters and updated fee structures to 125,893 first-year students by Monday, August 19, 2024.

This directive aligns with President William Samoei Ruto’s order on August 10, 2024, to standardize the annual household contributions required for degree programs.

New fee structures

The new fee structures are part of the Student-Centred Model, which ensures that financial aid, including scholarships and loans, is tailored to the specific needs of students.

According to Ogamba’s statement, all universities have commenced the distribution of these revised letters, which will detail the financial obligations of each student based on their assessed need.

“The Ministry is pleased to announce that all universities have rolled out the process of releasing new letters to all the first batch of 125,893 students who have so far applied for loans and scholarships under the Student Centred Model. The Ministry has directed universities to ensure all letters have reached the First Year students by Monday, August 19, 2024,” the statement by Ogamba stated.

The Student-Centred Model allocates financial support according to five predetermined bands, reflecting varying levels of financial need.

This approach aims to make higher education more accessible and affordable by providing targeted assistance to students based on their economic background, socio-demographic factors, and family education expenditures.

The government is set to allocate KSh. 25.3 billion in scholarships and loans to the first batch of 125,893 students under this model. The Ministry of Education emphasizes its commitment to ensuring equitable distribution of funds and addressing the genuine needs of students.

“In accordance with the tenets of the Student-Centred Model. students have been awarded scholarships and loans according to their level of need, consistent with any one of the five predetermined bands.
The Government re-affirms its commitment to quality and affordable higher education and is set to disburse KSh. 25.3 Billion in scholarships and loans to the 2024/25 students who have applied so far.
The Ministry remains dedicated to ensuring that student funding is allocated fairly and equitably, addressing the genuine needs of applicants. The evaluation criteria – based on validated application information – consider a student’s family economic background, affirmative action, socio•demographic factors, and family education expenditures,” the statement revealed.

Student’s concerns

Students with inquiries or concerns regarding their fees are encouraged to contact the Ministry through the Higher Education Portal at www.hef.co.ke.

Additionally, the portal will remain open for new applications, with a promise of swift processing to accommodate all eligible students seeking financial assistance.

The Ministry has urged students who have yet to apply for funding to do so promptly to ensure their applications are processed promptly.