Over 201,000 first-year university students and 237,000 new TVET trainees are set to receive government loans and scholarships, marking a major boost to Kenya’s commitment to accessible and affordable higher education.

The Ministry of Education has confirmed the timely disbursement of student loans and scholarships for the 2025/2026 academic year. Starting 15th August 2025, the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) will begin releasing funds to support learners joining public universities and TVET institutions under the Student-Centred Funding Model (SCFM).

The disbursement begins mid-August, ahead of the September intake, and will support students across all public institutions of higher learning in Kenya. The Universities Fund has also started releasing first-quarter scholarship allocations to universities.

The move is meant to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted academic transition for thousands of students and to lessen the financial burden on parents. The government has boosted HELB’s annual budget from KSh 36 billion to KSh 41 billion, ensuring no student is left behind due to financial constraints.

The funding is being rolled out in phases to help both universities and students manage the transition efficiently. Of the total funds, KSh 13 billion has already been released for tuition and upkeep, while KSh 16.9 billion has been allocated to scholarships.

This initiative is already showing positive traction—64% of university applicants and 51% of TVET applicants have submitted their funding applications. With the portal still open until 31st August 2025, more students are urged to apply to secure their funding.