The deadline for applying for Higher Education Loans and scholarships has been extended by one month to October 7, 2023, by the Ministry of Education.

In a statement to the media on Tuesday, Education CS Ezekiel Machogu said that the extension will allow 112,468 students who still need to apply for the loans to do so.

According to him, as of September 5, 156,532 pupils have sought University Fund scholarships and High Education Loans Board loans, accounting for just 60% of students placed by Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) based on KCSE 2022 performance.

The government has removed the requirement for pupils under 18 to get a National ID to facilitate the application procedure.


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"The Ministry has accordingly directed the Higher Education Loan Board (HELB) to review its portal to ensure that all 2,000 students who have yet to attain the age of 18 can apply for HELB loans," CS Machogu stated.

"The Universities Fund and the Higher Education Loans Board have been directed to put measures in place to begin immediate and expeditious processing of scholarships and bursaries for all students who have already applied." The organizations will then ensure that the processing and disbursement of scholarships and loans is ongoing."

Simultaneously, the Education Ministry has urged institutions to allow First Year students sufficient time to report to school so that no pupils be shut out.

"Where universities have already begun admitting First Years, measures must be put in place to ensure that students are not turned away for failure to pay school fees while the Government processes their funds applications," Machogu added.


Universities Fund and the Higher Education Loans Board will also be required to station workers at all Huduma centers to assist students who seek assistance with the application process.

According to CS Machogu, no student will miss school due to a lack of money. He indicated that individuals categorized as vulnerable and in desperate need would receive total government financing through scholarships.