HELB Awards Loan to 136,634 First-Time University Students for 2025/2026 Academic Year.
The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has awarded loans to 136,634 first-time university students for the 2025/2026 academic year.
The announcement was made on August 15, 2025 by Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Ogamba in a notice to universities. This is a major milestone in the implementation of the Student-Centred Funding Model introduced by the Government to increase access to higher education.
According to the Ministry of Education, the loans awarded will cater for both tuition fees and upkeep for first-time students joining university. Universities have been directed to access student tuition loan allocations through the HELB institutional portal.
“As of 15th August 2025, the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has awarded loans to 136,634 first-time applicants who have submitted their loan applications under the Student-Centred Funding Model for the 2025/2026 academic year,” the notice reads.
The Ministry further stated that in line with the Government’s directive to reduce the cost of university education, student contributions per semester will range from Ksh5,814 to Ksh75,000. The variation will depend on the individual student’s level of financial need and the cost of the respective university programme.
“Further, following the Government’s directive to reduce the cost of university programs, the university fees payable by students per semester will be between Ksh5,814 and Ksh75,000,” the statement read. “The variation is dependent on the student’s level of need and the cost of the university programme enrolled in.”
Students who applied for loans have been directed to check their upkeep loan award status via the HELB student portal on the Higher Education Financing website and coordinate with their respective university administration offices for fee payment schedules.
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Cabinet Secretary Ogamba said the Government is committed to equitable access to higher education. “This is a major step towards quality and equitable access to higher education, no student will be left behind in their pursuit of university education due to financial constraints,” he said.
The Ministry of Education has assured students, universities and stakeholders that the Government is committed to higher education as an engine of national development. HELB loans and reduced semester fees will ease students and their families from financial burden and academic disruption.
HELB Awards Loan to 136,634 First-Time University Students for 2025/2026 Academic Year.
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