Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has clarified that students joining universities for the first time in September will initially be funded under the existing Student-Centered Funding Model.
The clarification follows President William Ruto’s announcement that students admitted to universities and colleges from September would receive full funding under a new framework.
Speaking during an assessment of the status of Special schools in Mombasa County on September 4, Ogamba explained that the new system cannot be implemented before the proposed legal changes are enacted, leaving first-year students to rely on the current funding arrangement in the meantime.
According to the CS, universities will admit first-year students under the existing system before transitioning them to the new framework once Parliament passes the proposed legislation.
“The first years will be admitted during this time using the existing model. Once the new model becomes operational at the time the bill becomes law, we will transition all our tertiary students,” Ogamba said.
Under the existing model, undergraduate students receive government support through scholarships and loans.
Additionally, households are expected to contribute an amount determined through an assessment of their financial circumstances.
Further, he emphasized that the transition would apply to students already in tertiary institutions once the new law takes effect.
The proposed changes are intended to establish a universal funding framework covering students across higher education institutions.
Also Read: Ogamba Explains University Funding Changes as Number of Students Rises
CS Ogamba on First-Year Funding Expected Next Week
Despite the delay in implementing the new framework, Ogamba maintained that funding for first-year students is available.
However, he noted that the government must first complete the assessment before releasing the funds.
“And there is money for the first-year students. And once that assessment is done, they will be getting their resources in the course of the month .Probably by next week, their money, both in upkeep and tuition, will be in schools.,” Ogamba said.
The CS added that first-year students could receive both tuition and upkeep funds from next week.
CS Julius also provided an update on funding for students already in universities and other tertiary institutions. He affirmed that the government had released KSh22.12 billion for continuing students who had already been assessed.
According to the CS, the funds cover continuing students under the current arrangements, while first-year applicants undergo the assessment process.
Also Read: Govt Extends HELB Application Deadline, Makes U-turn on New University Funding Model
Government Extends University Funding Deadline for September First Years
The Government has also extended the deadline for first-time university students and TVET trainees to apply for higher education funding.
Applicants who missed the deadline have until September 21 to submit their applications.
The initial funding application period closed on August 31, with the Government receiving 789,422 applications from university students and TVET trainees.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba explained that the Universities Fund and the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) had been directed to reopen the application window for all eligible first-time applicants.
According to Ogamba, the decision followed the Government’s recognition that some eligible students and trainees could not meet the August deadline for various reasons.
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