HELB Disburses Ksh 9.4 Billion to University Students

The Ministry of Education has announced the disbursement of Ksh 9.4 billion through the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) to support university students across the country. This move comes as a major relief to thousands of learners who depend on HELB for tuition fees and daily upkeep.

Beneficiaries of the Fund

According to the Ministry, the funds will benefit 309,178 university students, both government-sponsored and self-sponsored, spread across various institutions of higher learning.

The disbursement is structured as follows:

• Ksh 5.76 billion will go directly to universities to settle tuition fees.
• Ksh 3.7 billion will be released to students for upkeep, ensuring they can cater for basic needs such as food, rent, transport, and study materials.

Boost to Higher Education Access

The Ministry emphasized that the timely release of these funds demonstrates the government’s commitment to expanding access to higher education and supporting students from financially challenged backgrounds. For many learners, HELB loans are a lifeline that enables them to pursue their academic dreams without interruption.

Education stakeholders have welcomed the move, noting that the funds will ease the burden on both students and their families, especially given the rising cost of living.

Government’s Commitment

The Ministry reiterated that it remains focused on ensuring no student is left behind due to lack of finances. HELB will continue to play a critical role in bridging the gap between financial hardship and access to education.

The government has also urged beneficiaries to use their upkeep allocations responsibly, stressing that the funds are meant to support learning and personal welfare.

Conclusion

With over Ksh 9.4 billion injected into higher education, thousands of students can now breathe a sigh of relief as they focus on their studies. The Ministry reaffirmed its pledge to continue working with HELB and other stakeholders to strengthen the higher education financing model for sustainable student support.