Parents and students have been thrown into confusion after Sigalagala National Polytechnic asked placed learners to pay the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) fee of KSh 1,500 again, despite many of them having already made the payment during the application process.
In an admission letter reviewed by The Kenya Times, the institution states that the annual fee for one of its diploma courses is KSh 67,189.
New students are also required to pay additional charges, including a registration fee of KSh 500, a KUCCPS fee of KSh 1,500, a student welfare fee of KSh 1,500, a TVETA fee of KSh 500, a student ID fee of KSh 500, and a medical examination fee of KSh 500.
The admission letter also states that no refund will be issued for any excess funds paid until the student completes the course and clears.
The directive raises questions about possible duplicate charges and inconsistencies in the admission process, and seeks clarification on what the fee covers and why it is being demanded again after placement.
The Kenya Times sought clarification from both the KUCCPS and Sigalagala National Polytechnic over the matter.
KUCCPS CEO Dr. Agnes Wahome stated that the KUCCPS fee is indicated during the application process and clearly communicated to candidates when they submit their applications.
“The fee is Ksh 1,500. For revision of choices, you will use the same transaction code,” reads part of KUCCPS information.
“All information concerning the application fee is indicated on the portal,” she told The Kenya Times.
According to the KUCCPS portal, the amount charged during application is Ksh. 1,500.
Also Read: KUCCPS Shares Expert Tips on How Candidates Can Increase Placement Success Rate
Sigalagala National Polytechnic Clarifies KSh 1,500 KUCCPS Fee After Placement
On its part, Sigalagala National Polytechnic stated that it is difficult to ask a parent to pay the KSh 3,000 KUCCPS application fee in a single payment.
An officer at the institution’s Registrar’s Office stated that KSh 1,500 is charged at the time of application, while the remaining amount is charged at the time of admission.
The officer added that the KSh 1,500 charged at the time of admission is remitted to KUCCPS.
“The KSh 1,500, what normally happens is that it is remitted back to KUCCPS. Sigalagala National Polytechnic is not a money-making or profit-making institution,” the officer said.
This comes after KUCCPS, in a policy shift aimed at encouraging more enrolments, reduced the TVET application fee from KSh 1,500 to KSh 500 in September last year.
“KUCCPS has reopened TVET placement applications for the September 2025 intake, from 8th to 22nd August 2025. Application fee slashed from KSh1,500 to KSh500 to boost access!” the announcement read.
Also Read: Explained: Next Steps for 2026 KUCCPS Applicants After Application Window Closes
The placement service opened the application portal on April 8 for degree, diploma, and certificate programs at public and private universities, the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), TVETs, Kenya Utalii College, and teacher training colleges.
The application window is open to KCSE holders from the 2000 to 2025 cohorts. Degree courses are available to 2025 KCSE candidates who scored C+ or higher, while candidates from earlier cohorts—with grades ranging from A to E—can apply for TVET programs.
Sigalaga Polytechnic began admitting students for its May intake on Monday, May 4.
