50,000 university students unable to pay Fees under the new funding model.
University Students in Kenya are struggling to pay their Tuition Fees following the Introduction of a New Funding Model.
Reports indicate 50,000 university students across the country are on the blink of dropping out of Higher Learning institutions, with other's unable to enroll over the Household Fees required.
The new Higher Education Funding Model (HEF) was recently introduced by the Ministry of Education, as part of an effort to streamline financial support for students.
The Model, was Aimed at creating a more equitable distribution of funds, the model was designed to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and ensure that financial aid reaches those who need it most.
However, its rollout has been met with significant criticism, as many students are finding themselves either ineligible for financial aid or experiencing delays in the disbursement of funds.
HELB, Higher Education Loans Board, has been issuing Kenyan University students upkeep loans, based on how needy their families are, according to the New University Funding Model.
Students joining Public Universities from the 2023 KCSE Cohort and Categorized as the Most Needy, depending on their families income, will receive HELB upkeep loans amounts of UpTo Ksh 60,000 per Academic year.
Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala revealed that the new funding model is grouped into five bands depending on the family's income level.
At the same time, the PS outlined the breakdown of the amount each band will receive as a scholarship and loan.
The band any student belongs to depends on the amount the applicant placed as family income while applying for a scholarship.
Band One, the most needy group, consists of a family whose income is not beyond Sh5,995.
Under this category, the government scholarship will cover 70 per cent of the fees while the loan will cover 25 per cent, making the total support 95 per cent.
The family will pay 5 per cent of the fees and the student will receive an upkeep loan from Helb of Sh60,000.
In Band Two, the government has grouped families whose income does not surpass Sh23,670 but is above Sh5,995.
In this category, the government scholarship will cover 60 per cent while the loan will cover 30 per cent.
The family will pay 10 per cent of the fees. Under this category, the student will receive an upkeep loan of Sh55,000.
In Band Three, the government has classified families whose family income does not pass Sh70,000 but it is above Sh23,670.
In this category, the government scholarship will cover 50 per cent, while the loan will cover 30 per cent.
The family will contribute 20 per cent of the fees supposed to be paid. Students in the category will receive an upkeep loan of Sh50,000.
In Band Four, the government has grouped families whose income does not exceed Sh120,000 but is above Sh70,000.
In this group, the government scholarship will cover 40 per cent while the loan will cover 30 per cent.
The family will pay 30 per cent of the fees.
In Band 5, the government has grouped families which earn more than Sh120,000.
In this category, government scholarship will pay 30 per cent of fees.
They will receive 30 per cent of the fees as a loan while their families will be required to pay 40 per cent of the fees.
The inability to pay tuition fees has Consequently, the financial strain has forced some students to consider dropping out of their programs, effectively jeopardizing their long-term career prospects.
University Students from low-income backgrounds are particularly affected, as they often rely heavily on financial assistance to pursue higher education.
With the rising cost of living and tuition fees, these students are caught in a precarious situation, unable to continue their studies without immediate financial support.
This situation has raised serious concerns among education stakeholders, who fear the long-term implications for students’ academic futures and the overall integrity of the higher education system.
Several University Student Leader's have called out for Protests to pressure the government to disband the Funding Model Altogether. The president, a week ago named a committee to evaluate and review the Funding Model.