President William Ruto has announced a new university funding and fee payment model for government-sponsored students that considers the family poverty level or household income.

New University Fee Payment Model

The new university school fee model for government-sponsored students considers a student’s poverty level rather than grades. In the past, it used to be that if a student has scored KCSE grade C+ and above, he or she qualified for doing a degree course under government funding commonly known as government-sponsored students. It did not matter whether you are from a poor or rich family, your KCSE grade was the determinant of whether you will be funded by the government or not. That model was simple and predictable and has existed for decades.

Categories of student financing in the new model

Students joining University shall be financed using scholarships, loans, and parent contributions. Student financing shall be categorized into three levels. That is vulnerable, less vulnerable, and able students

Level 1: Vulnerable Students

These are students from needy families. Their university fees shall be fully funded by the government of Kenya through scholarships and loans. Parents will not be required to pay any school fees.

Level 2: Less Vulnerable Students

These are students from less needy families. Less Vulnerable students will have 93% of their school fees funded by the government through 53% scholarships and 40% loans. Parents will pay the remaining 7% of the school fees.

Level 3: Able Students

These are students from able households. Able students will have 93% of their university fees funded by the government through 38% scholarships and 55% loans. Parents will pay 7%.

The difference between less vulnerable and able students is that able students will receive more funding through loans (55%) while less vulnerable students will receive more funding through scholarships (53%).

Methodology of determining a student’s poverty level

The government shall use the method used by HELB to determine and categorize students according to their poverty level. HELB awards loans to students based on family income and other poverty indicators.

The new university and tvet fee model will start applying to new students who will join University this year. Continuing government-sponsored students will be funded based on the old model.

Eligible students shall be required to apply for government scholarships through portals that shall be provided by the government while loans shall be applied through HELB loan. Students in private universities can only apply for loans.

We will provide more information about TVET funding later.