Band 4 — Who Qualifies and What You Actually Receive

Band 4 is for students from upper middle income households.

The government still contributes significantly to your fees. But your household is expected to carry a larger share of the cost. The assumption is that your family has the financial capacity to do so.

Who qualifies for Band 4

Your household monthly income falls in the upper middle income range. Your parents hold professional or senior level employment — engineers, accountants, senior civil servants, managers in the private sector. Your family owns property — a house in an urban area, a vehicle, or land with productive value. Your household runs a profitable business generating consistent income. You come from a financially stable background where university fees are a stretch but not impossible.

What Band 4 students receive

Scholarship from Universities Fund: 40 percent of your tuition fees. HELB tuition loan: 20 percent. Household contribution: 40 percent. HELB upkeep loan: KSh 45,000 per year.

A practical example

Your course costs KSh 120,000 per year. Universities Fund scholarship pays KSh 48,000. HELB tuition loan covers KSh 24,000. Your family pays KSh 48,000. Plus you receive KSh 45,000 in upkeep across the year.

What this means practically

Your family pays KSh 48,000 per year directly to the institution. This is a significant amount even for an upper middle income household, especially if there are multiple children in school or other financial commitments.

Plan for this amount early. Spread it across the year if possible. Some institutions allow termly payment of the household contribution rather than a lump sum at the beginning of the year. Confirm the payment schedule with your specific institution.

What many Band 4 families do not realise

Even in Band 4 you are still receiving a 40 percent scholarship. That is nearly half your fees covered by the government at no cost to you. Plus a HELB loan that defers 20 percent of your fees to after graduation when you are earning.

Your family's direct cost is KSh 48,000 on a KSh 120,000 fee. Without the new funding model, your family would have paid significantly more.

Is your family financially prepared for the Band 4 household contribution?

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