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The students will have to make their applications on the Higher Education Financing (HEF) portal; www.hef.co.ke.
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However, all applications are free of charge.
Image: FILE
2022 KCSE candidates seeking to apply for university scholarships and loans will now be required to follow new guidelines set by the Ministry of Education.
The model only applies to KCSE 2022 candidates joining universities and TVETs.
The students will have to make their applications on the Higher Education Financing (HEF) portal; www.hef.co.ke.
However, all applications are free of charge.
They must have a valid email address, valid telephone number that must be registered in their name, KCPE and KCSE index numbers and year of examination.
In addition, they will be required to submit a copy of their National ID, passport-size photo, admission letter of their College/University, birth certificate, parent or guardian registered telephone number and national ID number.
“Students to submit death certificate if any of their parents are deceased,” reads the notice.
It added that students without a national ID can also apply for government scholarships.
For loan applications, two guarantors' ID numbers and registered telephone numbers will be required.
Further, students who were sponsored in secondary schools will have to submit a copy of the sponsorship letter.
They have one month to apply for scholarships and loans.
These guidelines are in line with the new funding model.
The new funding framework seeks to offer students whose households are at the bottom of the pyramid equal opportunity in accessing university education and technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
Funding will be based on four criteria; choice of the programme, household income band, affirmative performance and government priority areas.
A Means Testing Instrument (MTI) will be applied to scientifically determine the need levels of students.
Out of the 2022 KCSE graduates, over 45,000 university students and 42,000 TVET students categorised as vulnerable and extremely needy will be fully funded with government scholarships and loans.
During the launch of the Higher Education Financing portal, Education CS Ezekiel Machogu said students will not be expected to pay anything for the programme cost and will also receive upkeep from the loan.
"For the first time, students whose households are at the bottom of the pyramid shall enjoy equal opportunities in accessing university and TVET education through 100 per cent government funding," Machogu said.
The CS directed that students who require funding must make formal applications through the Higher Education Financing portal.