HELB, University Funding Deadline Extended to September 21 — CS Ogamba Announces

Thousands of first-time university students and TVET trainees who missed the initial government funding application deadline have received a fresh opportunity to apply for financial support.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba has directed the Universities Fund and the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) to extend the application window to September 21, 2026.

The initial application period closed on August 31, with the government receiving 789,422 applications for tertiary education funding. 

According to a press statement issued by the Ministry of Education on September 3, the extension follows recognition that some eligible students and trainees were unable to apply before the initial deadline for various reasons.

“All eligible first time applicants in universities and TVETs are invited to promptly apply for funding within this extended window,” Ogamba said.

Sh22.12 billion already disbursed

The government has also confirmed that Sh22.12 billion has already been disbursed in first-semester and first-term funding for continuing university students and TVET trainees. 

The latest extension is specifically important for eligible first-time applicants who had not submitted their funding applications by August 31.

Current funding model to remain

Ogamba further clarified that applications from first-time students will continue to be assessed and processed under the current Student-Centred Funding Model.

The clarification comes as Parliament considers the Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Bill, 2026, which is expected to introduce changes to the country's higher education financing framework.

The Ministry said transitional mechanisms towards the proposed Universal Access and Funding Framework will be implemented once Parliament passes the legislation.

The government has therefore urged all eligible first-time university students and TVET trainees who have not yet applied to take advantage of the additional window and submit their applications before September 21, 2026.

Students who missed the August 31 deadline now have a second chance to secure government funding for their studies.