Education CS Ogamba: Govt to ensure timely disbursement of HELB loans
The government has reiterated its commitment to promoting access to quality higher education by strengthening student financing mechanisms and easing the cost burden of academic programmes.
Speaking during a visit to the University of Embu admissions desk on Thursday, August 28, 2025, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Ogamba assured students and parents that the government will ensure the timely disbursement of Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans and scholarship allocations.
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“The government will ensure timely disbursement of HELB loans and scholarship allocations to support university students,” he stated.
HELB
This comes weeks after the government increased annual funding by Ksh5 billion from Ksh36 billion to Ksh41 billion.
In a statement by the Ministry of Education released on Thursday, July 31, 2025, the government stated that Ksh13 billion of the amount has already been released for tuition and student upkeep, while Ksh16.9 billion has been allocated to the Universities Fund for scholarships.
“To ensure no student is left behind, the government has increased HELB’s annual funding from Ksh36 billion to Ksh41 billion, a significant boost of Ksh5 billion. Of this, Ksh13 billion has already been released to support tuition and upkeep for students, while Ksh16.9 billion has been allocated to the Universities Fund for Scholarships.
In total, the SCFM is expected to benefit 201,695 first-year university students, over 237,000 TVET trainees, and 257,523 continuing students.
The government has also announced that the disbursement of Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) funds to first-year university students will commence on August 15, 2025, aligning with the reopening of universities.
The government reiterated its unwavering commitment to ensuring equitable access to higher education for all deserving learners, regardless of their financial background.
“The Ministry of Education wishes to reassure all Kenyans, especially students, parents, guardians, and learning institutions, of the government’s strong and ongoing commitment to supporting access to higher education,” the statement read.
According to the ministry, HELB and the Universities Fund have already been facilitated to release funds to both students and institutions. The disbursement will take place in phases to ensure a smooth transition for new students as they begin their academic journeys in universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.
