Machogu Speaks On Admission Of Students With Pending Scholarship Applications

Only 26% of students who are eligible for higher education funding in Kenya have applied, Education CS Ezekiel Machogu said on August 24. This translates to 75,272 students out of 285,167.

Machogu said that the Ministry of Education would involve the Ministry of Interior to help raise the number of applications.

The low number of applications has raised concerns among MPs, as the deadline for applications is only two weeks away.

Machogu said that after the application process, students would be categorized into four groups: vulnerable, extremely needy, needy, and less needy. This process is expected to begin on September 7, but some schools have asked students to report much earlier.

“The reporting for some universities will be on Monday next week (August 28). You will start the categorisation of students who have qualified for a bursary or scholarship from September 7,” said Nyando MP Jared Odoyo.

Machogu said that the ministry has directed universities not to reject students whose applications have not yet been processed. He added that the ministry is working to resolve any challenges that have led to the low number of applications.

“Our students will be allowed as we are working on this and we have made it clear to our public universities. They will be admitted while we are processing the disbursement of funds,” he said.

Since the presidential directive on May 3, 2023, the government has developed and completed the Higher Education Financing Portal to receive applications for both scholarships, loans, and bursaries. Students who require funding must make formal applications through the Higher Education Financing Portal via www.hef.co.ke.

Machogu also directed tertiary institutions to release admission letters to candidates by August 2, 2023.