President William Ruto’s government has explained the new university funding model that has been a subject of massive reactions among Kenyans in the past few days.
Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala Friday revealed that the new funding model is grouped into five bands depending on the family’s income level.
At the same time, the PS outlined the breakdown of the amount each band will receive as a scholarship and loan.
The band any student belongs to depends on the amount the applicant placed as family income while applying for a scholarship.
Band One, the most needy group, consists of a family whose income is not beyond Sh5,995.
Under this category, the government scholarship will cover 70 per cent of the fees while the loan will cover 25 per cent, making the total support 95 per cent. Under the category, the family will pay 5 per cent of the fees and the student will receive an upkeep loan from Helb of Sh60,000.
In Band Two, the government has grouped families whose income does not surpass Sh23,670 but is above Sh5,995.
In this category, the government scholarship will cover 60 per cent while the loan will cover 30 per cent.
The family will pay 10 per cent of the fees. Under this category, the student will receive an upkeep loan of Sh55,000.
In Band Three, the government has classified families whose family income does not pass Sh70,000 but it is above Sh23,670.
In this category, the government scholarship will cover 50 per cent, while the loan will cover 30 per cent.
The family will contribute 20 per cent of the fees supposed to be paid. Students in the category will receive an upkeep loan of Sh50,000.
In Band Four, the government has grouped families whose income does not exceed Sh120,000 but is above Sh70,000.
In this group, the government scholarship will cover 40 per cent while the loan will cover 30 per cent.
The family will pay 30 per cent of the fees.
In Band 5, the government has grouped families which earn more than Sh120,000.
In this category, families will pay 30 per cent of fees.
They will receive 30 per cent of the fees as a loan while their families will be required to pay 40 per cent of the fees.
Education CS Julius Ogamba on Friday said that students not satisfied with the bands they have been placed in can appeal at the Higher Education Portal.
