The Ministry of Education has announced a major financial boost for thousands of university students across the country after releasing Ksh 9.46 billion through the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).

HELB funds are expected to ease the burden of tuition and daily expenses for 309,178 students pursuing higher education in public and private universities.

Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Migos Ogamba, while stating on Tuesday, explained that the allocation has been divided into two key components to directly cater to the pressing needs of learners. Out of the total disbursement, Ksh 5.76 billion will go towards settling tuition fees, ensuring that universities receive timely payments to facilitate learning without interruptions.

The remaining KSh 3.7 billion has been earmarked for student upkeep, enabling beneficiaries to cover basic living costs such as accommodation, meals, transport, and academic materials.

“We are pleased to notify parents, guardians, and university students that the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has, as of today, disbursed a total of Ksh 9.46 billion in financial support to 309,178 university students,” CS Ogamba announced.

He encouraged learners who applied for the loans to check their HELB student portals to confirm the disbursement of the funds and review detailed information regarding their loan accounts.

The Cabinet Secretary emphasized that the government remains firmly committed to ensuring that higher education is both accessible and affordable for all eligible students, regardless of their economic backgrounds. He assured learners that the Ministry of Education will continue to work closely with HELB to release funds promptly, so that no student is forced to defer studies due to financial challenges.

This latest disbursement comes just weeks after the government increased HELB’s capitation by an additional KSh 5 billion. The move raised the loan board’s budget from Ksh 36 billion to Ksh 41 billion, a development that Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said would significantly enhance the number of students accessing loans and bursaries.

Speaking during a separate event, DP Kindiki underscored the importance of prioritizing education funding as a way of expanding opportunities for young people.

He noted that the government’s decision to expand support to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, alongside slashing university fees, forms part of a broader education reform strategy aimed at producing graduates with industry-relevant skills.

“By increasing funding for HELB, reducing university fees, and strengthening support for TVET institutions, we are laying the foundation for a stronger, skills-based economy. No student should miss out on education simply because they cannot afford it,” Kindiki remarked.

Education stakeholders have welcomed the move, noting that timely HELB disbursements have a direct impact on student welfare and institutional stability. Universities rely heavily on these funds to sustain their operations, while students use them to manage daily survival and learning requirements.

For many students from disadvantaged backgrounds, HELB loans remain the only lifeline that allows them to pursue higher education. The disbursement of Ksh 9.46 billion, therefore, marks a critical step in the government’s efforts to bridge the financial gap for learners and ensure equity in education.

The Ministry of Education has further assured the public that it will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the funding model, while also strengthening transparency and accountability in the management of student loans.