Scholarships, Loans, and Household Contributions — What Each One Means for You
Under the new funding model your university fees are covered by three sources working together.
Most students only understand one of them. That partial understanding leads to confusion, panic, and sometimes missed funding.
Here is what each one means in plain language.
1. The Scholarship
A scholarship is money from the Universities Fund that covers part of your tuition fees.
You do not pay it back. Ever. It is a grant. Free money from the government based on your financial need.
The amount you receive depends on your funding band. Students from the poorest households receive the highest scholarship percentage. Students from wealthier households receive less or none.
Scholarships only apply to students in public universities and TVET institutions placed through KUCCPS. Private university students do not qualify.
2. The HELB Loan
A HELB loan is money you borrow from the Higher Education Loans Board to cover the remaining portion of your fees plus upkeep.
You pay it back after you finish your studies and start earning. Repayment begins one year after completing your programme or upon getting employment, whichever comes first.
The HELB loan has two parts. Tuition loan — covers part of your fees that the scholarship does not cover. Upkeep loan — money sent directly to you for living expenses: food, transport, accommodation, and daily needs.
Band 1 students receive up to KSh 60,000 per year in upkeep. Each band receives KSh 5,000 less than the one above it.
3. Household Contribution
This is the portion your family is expected to pay directly to the institution.
It is not optional. It is calculated based on your family's assessed ability to pay. Band 1 families pay as little as 5 percent of total fees. Band 5 families pay up to 40 percent.
Your institution will tell you exactly how much your household contribution is after your funding assessment is complete.
How they work together — a simple example
Imagine your annual fees are KSh 120,000.
If you are in Band 1: Scholarship covers 70 percent — KSh 84,000. HELB loan covers 25 percent — KSh 30,000. Your family pays 5 percent — KSh 6,000.
If you are in Band 5: Scholarship covers 30 percent — KSh 36,000. HELB loan covers 30 percent — KSh 36,000. Your family pays 40 percent — KSh 48,000.
The poorer your family, the less they pay. The system is designed that way deliberately.
Do you know which band you have been placed in — and do you know what that means for your family's contribution?
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