Birth Certificates Now Accepted for Student Loans and Scholarships, Says Government
University students who lack national identity cards can now use their birth certificates when applying for loans and scholarships.
The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) CEO, Charles Ringera, clarified that birth certificates are accepted due to delays in issuing national identity cards (ID).
He also noted that the new generation IDs are being used in the application process, which has been running smoothly since the funding portal opened.
Loan Application Requirements
For a successful loan application, students must have:
- A valid email address
- A registered telephone number
- KCPE and KCSE index numbers and year of examination
- A copy of the national ID, or in its absence, a college or university admission letter, birth certificate, parent’s or guardian’s ID number, and registered telephone number
- A sponsorship letter if applicable
Scholarships and HEF Model
Only candidates who sat for the KCSE examination from 2022 are eligible for scholarships under the new higher education funding (HEF) model.
The application process for HEF began on June 17 and will run until the end of July. Disbursement for first-year students will occur in September, coinciding with the start of the new academic year.
The HEF model replaced the Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) and now focuses on students’ financial needs rather than providing block funding to institutions.
The Universities Fund will offer scholarships ranging from 30% to 70% depending on the level of need, with the remaining costs covered by household contributions and loans from HELB.
Funding Breakdown
Funding is categorized based on the level of need:
- Band One: 70% scholarship, 25% loan, 5% household contribution
- Band Two: 60% scholarship, 30% loan, 10% household contribution
- Band Three: 50% scholarship, 30% loan, 20% household contribution
- Band Four: 40% scholarship, 30% loan, 30% household contribution
- Band Five: 30% scholarship, 30% loan, 40% household contribution
Students in private universities and those self-sponsored in public universities are eligible for loans only.
Application Statistics and Future Prospects
For the 2023 KCSE, 22.5% of students attained a mean grade of C+ and above, meeting the minimum requirement for degree programs.
Another 77.5% achieved grades between C and E, qualifying for diploma, craft, and artisan programs in TVET institutions. According to KUCCPS, 85% of students with C+ and above applied for higher education placements, with 76.2% opting for degree courses and the remainder for diploma programs.
HELB and its partners, including the Universities Fund and KUCCPS, are responsible for implementing the HEF model. This collaborative approach aims to ensure that students receive the necessary financial support based on their individual needs.
Future Steps
Charles Ringera mentioned that applications for subsequent students will open once the current applicants, who are mostly at home, are processed.
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He assured that the process is on track, encouraging all students placed by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) to apply.
The government has indicated that universities and TVETs will receive funding through scholarships, loans, and household contributions instead of block funding.
Birth Certificates Now Accepted for Student Loans and Scholarships, Says Government
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