Kenya's higher education landscape has undergone significant changes by introducing a new university financing model by the Ministry of Education.
The model also considers the financial need of the student, ensuring those from disadvantaged backgrounds receive more substantial support.
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Based on the recommendations of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms, this model aims to address the challenges faced by students and institutions under the previous funding system.
On Sunday, August 25, 2024, President William Ruto held a town hall meeting at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) where he engaged student leaders and answered questions about the new funding mode which is fairly vague to many.
Below, we explore the key differences between the old university funding system and the newly introduced Higher Education Government Student Scholarship.
1. Structure of financial assistance
Old system: Under the old university grant system, students received a standard government grant that was distributed across public universities. This grant was not tailored to the specific needs of individual students or the cost of their programmes.
New system: The new Higher Education Government Student Scholarship is targeted. It is designed to provide financial assistance based on both the actual cost of the programme and the financial needs of the student.
Students pursuing undergraduate, diploma, craft certificate, and artisan education receive appropriate support aligned with their specific circumstances.
2. Eligibility criteria
Old system: The old grant system primarily focused on students who had secured placement in public universities through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS). However, the financial need was not a significant factor in determining the amount of funding.
New system: The new scholarship model caters to a broader range of students, including those enrolled in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutes..
To qualify, students must be Kenyan nationals who have completed their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams from 2022 onwards and have been placed by KUCCPS. The model also considers the financial need of the student, ensuring those from disadvantaged backgrounds receive more substantial support.
3. Application process
Old system: The application process for the old university grant had limited emphasis on annual renewals or reassessments of the student's financial situation.
New system: Under the new model, students must apply for the Higher Education Government Student Scholarship each year through the Higher Education Financing (HEF) portal.
This ensures that their financial needs are reassessed annually, allowing for adjustments in the scholarship amount if necessary.
4. Combination of loans and scholarships
Old system: The old grant system did not integrate loans and scholarships, often leaving students to rely on separate, less coordinated funding sources.
New system: The new model introduces a structured combination of scholarships and loans, tailored to the student's level of need. For example, vulnerable students receive 82% of their funding as a scholarship and 18% as a loan.
In contrast, less needy students receive 38% of their funding as a scholarship and 55% as a loan, with the remaining 7% expected to be covered by their families.
5. Flexibility for minors and non-mandatory applications
Old system: The old system did not provide specific provisions for minors (students under 18) or clarify whether applying for financial assistance was mandatory.
New system: The new scholarship model allows minors to apply, with the requirement to update their profiles once they turn 18.
Additionally, the model is not mandatory, meaning students only need to apply if they require financial assistance, offering flexibility and autonomy.
6. Transparency and accountability
Old system: The previous funding model did not provide for students to disclose other sources of financial support they might be receiving.
New system: The new model emphasises transparency, requiring students to disclose any additional financial support they receive. Failure to do so may result in the withdrawal or cancellation of their scholarship.
7. Impact on other financial aid
Old system: The old system did not have clear guidelines on how government grants would interact with other forms of financial assistance.
New system: Under the new model, if a student is fully funded by another agency, the government scholarship will not be awarded to prevent over-funding.
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