By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, January 08 2026 - The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has commenced disbursement of KSh 156 billion in upkeep funds for continuing students under the 2025/2026 academic year, marking one of the largest releases of student support in recent history.
This follows intense demands from students and directives from the Ministry of Education to ensure timely funding ahead of the new semester. The funds, earmarked for second semester upkeep, are set to be credited to students’ designated payment channels and accounts, enabling beneficiaries to cover living and academic expenses as they resume studies.
What the Funds Cover
Under the new Student Centred Funding Model, HELB allocates upkeep funds to both university and TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) students based on assessed financial need.
These funds are intended to assist with daily living costs such as accommodation, food, transport and other essentials as students continue their academic programmes. The disbursement comes amid broader government efforts to boost access to higher education and support students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, ensuring no eligible learner is forced to drop out for lack of funds.
Education officials have stressed that the release of the second semester funds aligns with the government’s commitment to consistent and reliable student financing following past delays that sparked concern among learners. Some students experienced delays in earlier years due to funding model transitions and administrative updates on the HELB portal, forcing authorities to streamline processes.
In addition to the upkeep funds, the government’s New Higher Education Funding Model continues to provide tuition support separately, ensuring students receive both tuition coverage through the Universities Fund and upkeep loans through HELB.
More from Kenya
Student Experience and Portal Updates
Students awaiting secondsemester credits have been advised to regularly check their HELB student portal or mobile notifications for updates as allocations are reflected in batches. Some beneficiaries had earlier reported delays in the portal showing “Semester 2” disbursements, a situation officials said was due to technical rollovers and verification processes aligned to the academic calendar.
Over the past year, HELB and related funds have been significantly boosted to meet rising demand for student financial support. In August 2025, government figures showed HELB disbursed about KSh 19.06 billion for student tuition and upkeep, with the Universities Fund providing scholarship support on top of that.
Previously, disbursements such as KSh 1.56 billion were credited to students and trainees under government directives to expedite funding, part of a broader push that saw billions distributed across higher education beneficiaries. The release of KSh 156 billion for secondsemester upkeep comes at a critical juncture as many learners prepare for the next academic term.
Timely funding is expected to alleviate financial stress for hundreds of thousands of students, enabling them to settle into university and TVET programmes without interruption. Education officials say this is part of a sustained approach to strengthen access and inclusivity in tertiary education financing, amid rising costs and increased enrolment in higher learning institutions across the country.
More from Kenya
Inside President Ruto’s Sh2.88 Trillion Budget: Priorities, Politics and Public Pressure
Jan 9, 2026
Business
Read more →
Tea Market Sells 8.4 Million Kgs at Weekly Auction As Producers Target Premium Prices
Jan 9, 2026
Business
Read more →
Ruto Launches KSh 235 Million NYOTA Startup Capital Rollout in Rift Valley
Jan 8, 2026
Business
Read more →