The Universities Fund was established under Section 53 of the Universities Act 2012 to finance university education in Kenya. The Fund is managed by the Universities Fund Board, which has been operational since 2016. Under the Student-Centred Funding Model (SCFM), the
Universities Fund is mandated to:

Provide Government Scholarships to eligible university students;

1. Apply need-based funding criteria through the Means Testing Instrument
   (MTI); and
2. Disburse scholarship funds to universities on behalf of students.

The Fund also advises the Government on sustainable, equitable, accountable, and efficient financing of university education in Kenya.

Yes, Universities Fund administers Government Scholarships for eligible university students under the Student-Centred Funding Model. The scholarship is determined based on the student’s assessed financial need and is paid to the university on behalf of the student.

Universities Fund scholarships are partial Government Scholarships awarded based on assessed financial need. They do not ordinarily cover 100% of the cost of university education. The balance is met through HELB loans and household contribution.

The tuition deficit is met through government loans provided by the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and household contributions from parents or guardians.

Universities Fund scholarships benefit eligible Government-placed Kenyan students in public universities who apply through the HEF Portal and
are assessed for funding under the Student-Centred Funding Model.

Yes. The scholarships are genuine, and over 400,000 Kenyan students have already benefited since the Student-Centered Funding Model was introduced in 2023.

Applicants must be Kenyan citizens who:

1. Must have scored the minimum university entry grade (C+) in KCSE.
2. Must have sat KCSE in 2022 or later.
3. Must be admitted to a public university
   through KUCCPS.
4. Must register and submit documents online via the HEF Portal.

No. Universities Fund scholarships are only available to students who are placed and admitted to public universities in Kenya.

No. Students are not required to repay the Universities Fund scholarship. The scholarship is a form of Government support aimed at promoting access, equity, and inclusivity in higher education, especially for students who require financial assistance.

The Government scholarship is utilised as tuition support. It is awarded to the student but disbursed to the university on behalf of the student to offset part of the programme cost.

Yes, a student may receive a Universities Fund  scholarship together with other financial assistance such as a HELB loan, bursary, sponsorship, or household contribution.

However, the student should disclose relevant funding information where required, and the combined support should be used to meet education-related costs.

Yes. Recipients must complete their studies within the approved programme duration and provide accurate information during the application process. Any costs resulting from extended study periods will not be covered.

First-time applications are made online through the Higher Education Financing (HEF) Portal –www.hef.co.ke. You can still access the Portal via
our website, www.universitiesfund.go.ke. Continuing students can apply by dialling *642# on their mobile phones, using the numbers registered on the HEF Portal.

The HEF Portal opens at the start of each academic cycle and after KUCCPS completes placement of students. Students are advised to keep checking No guarantors are needed.our official digital/social media channels for updates.

Eligible and interested students should:

1. Register and log in on the student portal on www.hef.co.ke.
2. Fill in the profile and upload relevant documents
3. In the dropdown, select Scholarship to apply.
4. Submit application.
5. Wait for an award letter.

1. Valid email address.
2. Valid telephone number.
3. KCPE and KCSE index number, and year of examination.
4. Passport-size photo.
   College/university admission letter.
5. Birth Certificate/Student’s
6. National ID
7. Parent/guardian registered telephone number.
8. Parent/guardian ID number.
9. Parent’s death certificate, if applicable.

Household contribution is determined based on a student’s financial need assessment. If a student applies for both scholarship and loan, the household contribution is determined within the approved minimum and maximum limits. If the student applies for only one product, the balance after the awarded amount is met by the household.

Universities Fund ensures fair scholarship allocation by requiring official applications, assessing students based on financial need, and allowing students to request a review where they believe the allocation is inaccurate.

No guarantors are required for a scholarship application.

Scholarship applications are made once per academic year.

1. First-time applicants apply through the HEF Portal, www.hef.co.ke.
2. Continuing students apply by dialling *642# on their mobile phones, using the
   numbers registered on the HEF Portal.

If you have already been awarded funding, disbursements will be processed directly to your
university. You are only required to pay your household contribution.

No. Scholarships for TVET students are administered by the State Department of TVET.

A student who needs maximum government financial assistance should apply for both a scholarship and loan. The scholarship is not repaid, whereas the HELB loan is repayable after studies, in accordance with HELB terms.

Yes. Students who did not apply for a scholarship in their first year can apply during subsequent application cycles. However, the scholarship will only cover funding from the time of application and will not cater for any previous fee balances.

f you are unsatisfied with your scholarship allocation, you can appeal or request a review of your Universities Fund scholarship award. This also applies to unsuccessful scholarship applications.

Appeals are made through the Higher Education Financing Portal once the appeal window is officially opened. You will need to log in to the portal, submit your appeal, and provide any supporting information required for
review.