NEW UNIVERSITY FUNDING MODEL TAKES EFFECT

The government of Kenya has launched the first ever application portal for loans and scholarships under the New Universities and Colleges Funding Model. The model is for students who will be joining Universities, Colleges, National Polytechnics and other Technical and Vocational education and Training (TVET) institutions in Kenya this year.

This follows the 3rd May, 2023, unveiling of the New Funding Model by president William Ruto, to address the current financial challenges at Institutions of Higher learning because of increasing enrolment in the face of inadequate funding.

The new Funding Model, introduces a student-centred funding model rather than block funding to institutions. Fundamentally, grants/scholarships will now be awarded on a need basis just like loans have been awarded in the past.

In the New Funding Model, all Scholarships, Loans and Bursaries will have to be Means Tested for each loan applicant. Consequently, funding to students will be funded according to their level of need and programme cost.

During this Placement Cycle, Kenya Universities and Colleges Placement Service (KUCCPS) published the costs of all programmes in Universities, Colleges, National Polytechnics and other TVET institutions. This was to guide students in making choices based on the financial implications, programme of study, and institution they wish to join.