Starting August 15, first-year university students will begin receiving their HELB loan money. This is the same day universities will open.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba shared this update and said the money will be sent in phases to help new students settle in easily.
He also announced that the government has now increased the total HELB budget from Ksh 36 billion to Ksh 41 billion. This is great news for students who depend on loans and scholarships to study.
Out of the new budget:
Ksh 13 billion will go directly to pay for student tuition (school fees).
Ksh 16.9 billion will be given to the Universities Fund to help support scholarships.
The rest of the money will help students with personal needs like food and accommodation.
According to CS Ogamba, this move is meant to ensure that no student misses school because of money problems.
The Ministry says they are planning to support:
Over 201,000 new university students,
More than 237,000 TVET students,
And 257,000 continuing students.
Also, 64% of university applicants and 51% of TVET trainees for September intake have already applied.
Right now, students who sat for the 2024 KCSE and were placed by KUCCPS can still apply for HELB scholarships.
This announcement comes just weeks after HELB said they were short of funds. Their CEO Geoffrey Monari revealed they had only received Ksh 26 million, compared to Ksh 48 billion in the last financial year.
But now, with the new Ksh 41 billion plan, more students will get the help they need.
