NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 22, 2025 (AFP) – The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has unveiled a new model for allocating student loans, basing funding on a learner’s level of need and the cost of their programme.
The changes, announced on Friday, replace the previous band system, which classified students into categories of funding. HELB explained that each applicant will now be assessed individually.
“HELB no longer categorises student funding allocation into bands. Each student’s allocation is based on their assessed level of financial need and the cost of the programme,” the loans board said.
How the new model works
To determine programme cost, HELB will rely on real-time data submitted by universities and colleges. Student need will be assessed using the Means Testing Instrument (MTI), which applies proxy indicators to evaluate financial circumstances.
Each student’s institution will provide the official programme cost, and learners are required to log into their university websites for details. Upkeep allocations will also vary, with amounts determined by the financial need outcome of each student.
HELB further clarified that some students may see a reduction in upkeep funds. “The government reduced the university programme cost, and you will now pay less in fees. The allocations take into consideration the reduced cost of the programme,” HELB stated.
Recent government support
The announcement comes just days after the government disbursed Ksh9.4 billion to support 309,178 university students. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba confirmed that Ksh5.7 billion of the funds were allocated for tuition, while the rest went toward student upkeep.
HELB urged first-year students and continuing learners to log into the HELB student portal to confirm their application status and check for allocated upkeep amounts.
