In a major relief for thousands of incoming college students across Kenya, the Ministry of Education has officially extended the application deadline for higher education loans and scholarships to September 21, 2026.
Directed through the Universities Fund and the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), the extension aims to accommodate eligible applicants who missed the initial August 31, 2026, cut-off due to various technical and logistical hurdles.
The decision comes amid widespread distress and confusion in public universities, where hundreds of newly admitted students remain stranded at home or struggling on campus without essential disbursements.
Addressing these concerns, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Mgosha Ogamba reassured the public that first-time applications will continue to be processed under the current student-centered funding model.
To demonstrate the government’s commitment to supporting higher education, CS Ogamba revealed that Ksh 22.12 billion has already been disbursed for the first term to cater to continuing university and TVET students nationwide.
Looking ahead, the Ministry noted that a seamless transition to a universal access model will be implemented once Parliament passes the Higher Education Placement and Funding Bill, 2026.
All eligible first-time applicants in universities and TVET institutions are strongly urged to submit their details through the designated online portals before the new deadline lapses.
