The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has delivered great news for thousands of young Kenyans by awarding loans to 136,634 first-year university students for the 2025/2026 academic year.
The announcement was made through an official notice to all universities by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, confirming that the government is fully committed to supporting learners under the newly introduced Student-Centred Funding Model.
According to the Ministry of Education, the loans were officially disbursed on August 15, and they are meant to help cover both tuition fees and upkeep costs.
This comes as a huge relief for many students who are starting university for the first time and may be struggling with finances.
“As of 15th August 2025, the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has awarded loans to 136,634 eligible university first-time applicants, who have submitted their loan applications under the Student-Centred Funding Model for the 2025/2026 academic year,” read part of the notice issued to institutions.
In addition, the Ministry highlighted that university fees per semester will now range between Ksh5,814 and Ksh75,000, depending on a student’s level of financial need and the course they are pursuing.
The statement further explained that the variation in fees is based on the student’s economic background and the type of university program.
The government’s decision to lower the cost of university education is seen as a major step toward making higher education more accessible and affordable to all Kenyan students, regardless of their financial situation.
Students who already applied for these loans are encouraged to log in to the HELB student portal via the Higher Education Financing website to check their upkeep loan award status.
They are also advised to coordinate with their university administration offices to understand how the fees will be paid and allocated.
Universities, on their part, have been instructed to access tuition loan details for each student through the HELB institutional portal.
CS Ogamba also noted that this development is proof of the government’s dedication to ensuring that every qualified student has equal access to higher education.
He emphasized that no learner should miss the opportunity to study at university just because of financial challenges.
The Ministry reassured students and stakeholders that the government remains committed to strengthening higher education, describing it as a key pillar of national growth and development.
With the HELB loans already issued and the reduction of university fees in place, many families and students across the country are expected to experience significant financial relief.
This move will not only ease economic stress but also support continuous learning and academic progress among Kenyan youth.
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