HELB EXPLAINS NEW FUNDING FORMULA TO BE USED IN THE 2025 INTAKE

The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has announced that it has abolished the funding model that grouped students into bands. In a statement dated Friday, August 22, 2025, HELB clarified that student funding will no longer be determined based on bands.
“HELB no longer categorizes student funding allocation into bands,” HELB stated. According to the loans board, each student’s allocation will now depend on their assessed level of financial need and the cost of the program after discontinuation of the model.
“Each student’s allocation is based on their assessed level of financial need and the cost of the program,” said HELB.
At the same time, the loans board clarified that the amounts of fees to be paid by first-year students shall be provided by the institution they are admitted. Additionally, HELB explained that each student’s allocation will be determined by their financial need assessment and the reduced cost of their programme.
“From your HELB student portal, please log into www.hef.co.ke to confirm your allocation. The government has reduced the cost of university programmes, meaning you will now pay lower fees. The allocations reflect both your financial need and the reduced programme cost,” the loans board stated.
The Loans Board’s clarification comes days after Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making the new student-centered funding model effective, emphasizing that all eligible learners will benefit from the initiative.
“Remember, I can’t say this enough, the purpose of the student-centered model is to ensure that every student who deserves support from the government gets it, and we are determined to ensure that we carry that through,” said the Education CS.