The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has awarded loans to 136,634 first-time university students for the 2025/2026 academic year.
The announcement, made by Education CS Julius Ogamba in an official notice to Universities, signals a strong commitment by the government to support students under the newly implemented Student-Centred Funding Model.
The loans, which were disbursed on August 15, are expected to cover both tuition and upkeep, easing the financial burden on students entering university for the first time.
“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,” the notice read in part.
According to the Ministry of Education, the amount of university fees payable per semester will now range from Ksh5,814 to Ksh75,000, depending on the student's level of financial need and the cost of the academic program.
“Further, following the Government's directive to lower the cost of university programs, the university fees payable by students per semester will range from a minimum student contribution per semester of Ksh5,814 to a maximum of Ksh75,000,” the statement read in part.
“The variation is dependent on the student's level of need and the cost of the university programme enrolled in,” the statement continued.
Students who submitted their loan applications are advised to check their upkeep loan award status via the HELB student portal on the Higher Education Financing website and liaise with their respective universities' administration offices for fee payment schedules.
Universities are required to access the student tuition loan allocations through the HELB institutional portal.
"This progress reaffirms the Government's commitment to quality and equitable access to higher education, ensuring that no qualified student is left behind in their pursuit of university studies due to financial constraints," CS Ogamba said.
The Ministry has assured both students and stakeholders that the Government remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting higher education as a driver of national development.
The HELB loans, coupled with reduced semester fees, are expected to cushion students and families from economic pressures while promoting academic continuity.
