Students without IDs Can Now Apply for HELB; Govt
The government has made a significant change regarding the requirement for national identity cards (IDs) for students who are applying for scholarships and HELB loans.
In an announcement from the cabinet dated August 29 and released on Tuesday, it was revealed that the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with various stakeholders, has been given the directive to streamline the scholarship application process for eligible students.
Until now, students who enrolled in universities before turning 18 years old were ineligible for Helb loans. The CEO of the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), Charles Ringera, recently clarified that the agency will not be providing funds to over 2,000 students who have requested financial assistance but do not possess National Identity cards.
Ringera emphasized that the board’s hands are tied in this matter, as it is legally prohibited from granting loans to individuals under the age of 18, as mandated by the law. He further explained the importance of having an ID for student identification, particularly when it comes to loan repayment.
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Encouraging students to take advantage of the available funds, Ringera reassured them that there are ample resources to meet their financial needs. He highlighted the well-timed introduction of the new funding model, expressing confidence that it will ensure all students receive the necessary support for their educational progress.
The CEO also provided guidance to students who might consider changing their course of study or transferring to a different institution. He assured them that the allocated funds would still be accessible, a departure from the previous framework.
Ringera projected that by the year 2028, the board would have expended Ksh210 billion (Ksh145 billion for loans and Ksh75 billion for scholarships) to finance students under the new model.
During the Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday and chaired by President Ruto at Kakamega State Lodge, significant decisions were made regarding 13 Technical and Vocational Colleges. These institutions have been approved for an upgrade to National Polytechnic status.
The colleges include Maasai Technical Training Institute, Kiambu Institute of Science and Technology, Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology, Coast Institute of Technology, and Tseikuru Technical & Training College. Additionally, Sang’alo Institute of Science & Technology, Bureti Technical Vocational College, Jeremiah Nyagah Technical Training Institute, Mawego Technical Training Institute, and Baringo Technical Training Institute were also included in the list of institutions set to receive this upgrade.
Students without IDs Can Now Apply for HELB; Govt
