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First-time university students and TVET trainees who missed the government funding deadline have been given more time to apply.
The Ministry of Education has extended the application window to September 21, 2026, allowing eligible students and trainees to submit their funding requests.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba directed the Universities Fund and the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) to reopen the application portal.
The ministry said the extension would assist eligible applicants who failed to apply before the original August 31 deadline for various reasons.
789,422 Applications Received
The government received 789,422 funding applications before the initial application period closed.
Ogamba said KSh22.12 billion had already been disbursed to support continuing university students and TVET trainees during the first semester and first term.
The extension comes as thousands of first-year students report to universities and TVET institutions for the 2026/2027 academic year.
Current Funding Model Remains
Ogamba clarified that first-time applicants will continue to receive consideration under the existing Student-Centred Funding Model.
The clarification comes as Parliament considers the Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill, 2026.
The proposed law could introduce a new funding framework that provides government support for first-year students, including tuition and upkeep costs.
However, the ministry said the current system will remain in use until Parliament completes consideration of the proposed legislation.
Ogamba said transitional arrangements for the Universal Access and Funding Framework will follow once Parliament passes the Bill.
Students who missed the original deadline have until September 21 to submit their applications.
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