The government has assured all students who qualify for university admission that they will be accepted into their chosen institutions, regardless of their immediate ability to pay the required household contribution. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced on Wednesday that public university vice-chancellors are instructed to admit all eligible students without exception.
Ogamba stated, “Vice-Chancellors are required to ensure suitable accommodation arrangements for first-year students, with the assurance that the necessary fees will be covered once the upkeep funds are disbursed.” He also noted that his ministry is collaborating with the National Treasury to expedite the release of these funds.
The ministry welcomes recommendations from Parliament and other stakeholders aimed at strengthening the New Funding Model and improving the Means Testing Instrument, Ogamba added.
The new university funding model uses a ‘banding’ method and a means testing instrument to assess students’ socio-economic backgrounds, including household income, geographic location, poverty levels, the number of dependents, and special circumstances like disabilities. This approach ensures that available resources are distributed equitably and directs financial aid appropriately.
Students seeking financial aid are categorized into five bands based on household income and financial needs:
– Band 1: Extremely needy and vulnerable students receive 70% of government aid in scholarships and 25% in loans, with a household contribution of only 5% of the fees. They will also receive Ksh.60,000 in upkeep support.
– Band 2: Students from low-income families who need substantial aid will get 60% in scholarships and 30% in loans, while contributing 10% of the fees and receiving Ksh.55,000 in upkeep.
– Band 3: Students from families with modest incomes will receive 50% in scholarships, 30% in loans, and Ksh.50,000 in upkeep, with a 10% household contribution to the fees.
– Band 4 and Band 5: Middle and high-income earners will contribute the most toward tuition fees, at 40% and 20% respectively. They will receive 30% in loans and between Ksh.40,000 and Ksh.45,000 in upkeep support.
While the funding is largely dependent on the income levels of the household, students with special needs including orphans or those with disabilities are considered.
The government says there will be ‘affirmative action’ to ensure that students from marginalised and vulnerable groups are considered in the classification.
