NAIROBI, Kenya — The Ministry of Education has extended the deadline for first-time university students and TVET trainees seeking government funding to September 21, 2026, giving eligible applicants additional time to submit their applications.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba directed the Universities Fund and the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) to reopen the application window after concerns that some eligible students and trainees had missed the initial deadline.
“Recognising that some eligible students and trainees may not have met the initial deadline on account of various causes, the Universities Fund and the Higher Education Loans Board have been directed to extend the application window for all eligible applicants to 21st September, 2026,” Ogamba said.
The extension applies to eligible first-time applicants seeking government financial support for university and TVET education.
Original deadline closed on August 31
The initial application window closed on August 31, with the government receiving 789,422 funding applications.
Ogamba also confirmed that Sh22.12 billion had already been disbursed to support continuing university students and TVET trainees during the first semester and first term.
The additional application period is intended to give students who were unable to submit their applications during the first window another opportunity to seek financial assistance.
Applications remain under current funding model
The extension comes as first-year students continue reporting to universities and TVET institutions amid uncertainty over proposed changes to the higher education financing system.
Parliament is considering the Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill, 2026, which proposes changes to the way government supports students entering tertiary institutions.
The proposed framework follows President William Ruto’s July announcement of plans for full government support for first-year students, including assistance towards tuition and upkeep costs.
However, Ogamba clarified that the proposed changes have not yet replaced the existing funding system.
“For the avoidance of doubt, it is notified for the general information of the public that applications for funding for first time applicants will be considered and processed in accordance with the current Student-Centred Funding Model,” the CS said.
This means students applying during the extended window will initially be assessed under the existing Student-Centred Funding Model.
Transition to new framework awaits Parliament
Ogamba said the government would introduce transitional arrangements after Parliament completes consideration of the proposed legislation.
“Appropriate transitional mechanisms to the Universal Access and Funding Framework shall be implemented once Parliament passes the Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Bill, 2026,” he said.
The clarification is intended to address uncertainty among students and parents over whether they should wait for the proposed funding framework or apply under the current system.
For now, the ministry’s position is that eligible first-time applicants should submit their applications under the existing model before the extended deadline.
Universities told to admit first-year students
The Ministry of Education has also asked universities and TVET institutions to proceed with the admission of first-year students as the government finalises funding arrangements.
The directive comes amid concerns from students, parents and institutions over delays in funding and uncertainty surrounding the proposed changes for the 2026/2027 academic year.
Institutions have faced pressure to accommodate new students even as details of the proposed funding framework continue to be debated in Parliament.
The ministry’s position allows admissions and funding applications to proceed under the existing arrangements while lawmakers consider the proposed legislation.
Students urged to use extended deadline
First-time university applicants and TVET trainees who missed the August 31 deadline have been urged to take advantage of the extension.
The new deadline is September 21, 2026.
Applicants who qualify for government funding should therefore submit their applications before the extended window closes rather than waiting for the proposed new framework to take effect.
The extension provides an additional opportunity for thousands of students who may otherwise have been left without access to government financial support as they begin their tertiary education.
