‘Be Honest’ – Gov’t Tells Varsity Students Applying For Funding Loans
The government is urging university students applying for loans and scholarships under the new funding model, to be honest, so that funding decisions are based on accurate and verified information.
Education CS According to Julius Ogamba, 134,029 applications have been received since the Higher Education Portal opened for the current application cycle.
He stated that 127,591 applications have already been categorised into various bands.
“Of the categorised applicants, 12,958 have lodged appeals for re-categorisation,” Ogamba said in a statement on Friday.
“The processing of the appeals has now started and will be concluded within three weeks from the date of each appeal.”
130K first-year university students have secured financial assistance under the #NewFundingModel,with a substantial allocation of Sh28.3B for loans and scholarships. CS Migosi has acknowledged concerns regarding student categorization and potential misplacements within the system pic.twitter.com/eHN2CxpHx5
— PETER MAYA 🇺🇸 🇿🇦 (@PETERMAYA027) August 23, 2024
Applicants are classified into five bands based on their level of need.
The Ministry of Education employs the Means Testing Instrument (MTI) to determine the appropriate financial assistance for each learner.
The MTI is based on the accuracy of self-generated information provided by applicants about their socioeconomic background, affirmative action considerations, sociodemographic factors, and family education expenses.
Learners in Band 1 receive 95% government support, Band 2 90%, Band 3 80%, Band 4 70%, and Band 5 60%.
Students in the respective bands are also eligible for Sh60,000, Sh55,000, Sh50,000, Sh45,000, and Sh40,000 upkeep loans.
There have been complaints that some disadvantaged students have been placed in Band 5 when they should be in Band 1.
Last week, State Department for Higher Education and Research PS Beatrice Inyangala informed Parliament that this was due to inaccurate information provided by applicants.
CS Ogamba stated that the ministry is collaborating with officers from the National Government Administration Office in a multi-agency approach.
This, he said, will ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and that no one is denied necessary funding.
“These officers will assist in verifying the information provided by applicants from their respective jurisdictions across all the 106,600 villages in the country to enhance transparency, efficiency and accountability in the funding process,” he said.
Meanwhile, the CS stated that the ministry has disbursed Sh5.2 billion to the Higher Education Loans Board for tuition and upkeep loans.
He stated that an additional Sh2.8 billion had been released to the Universities Fund for scholarships.
“The funds are now being disbursed to the respective university and student accounts, upon ascertainment of students’ reporting and admission,” CS Ogamba said.
“The disbursement process will be completed by August 30, 2024.”
‘Be Honest’ – Gov’t Tells Varsity Students Applying For Funding Loans
