Students seeking financial aid for higher education now have a structured avenue to challenge funding decisions after the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and the Universities Fund (UF) launched a Scholarship and Loan Appeals Mechanism. This development follows a Court of Appeal stay order issued on March 26, 2025, which temporarily halted the implementation of the Variable Scholarship Loans Funding Model.
In compliance with the court directive, HELB and UF have established this mechanism to provide students with an accessible and transparent way to seek redress if they are dissatisfied with their loan or scholarship awards. In a joint statement, HELB Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Monari and UF Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr. Edwin Wanyonyi reassured students, parents, and stakeholders of their commitment to following the court’s decision.
“HELB and UF wish to assure students, parents, guardians, and stakeholders in the higher education sector of our full compliance with the Court order,” read part of the statement. The court mandated that the two institutions put in place an appeals process and publicize it within 14 days from March 26, 2025.
To facilitate this, students can now access the Scholarship and Loan Appeals Mechanism through the official online platforms, including the HELB website (www.helb.co.ke), the Universities Fund website (www.universitiesfund.go.ke), and the Higher Education Financing Portal (www.hef.co.ke).
Recognizing the importance of public participation, UF and HELB have also invited stakeholders to submit comments and memoranda on the appeals mechanism. The public participation period runs until April 4, 2025, at 5:00 PM, in line with Article 10 of the Constitution of Kenya. Students and stakeholders can send their submissions via email to slappeals@helb.co.ke or appeals@ufb.go.ke, or visit HELB desks at Huduma Centres nationwide.
In addition to online engagement, UF and HELB have scheduled physical public engagement meetings at select universities and polytechnics across the country on April 4, 2025. These meetings will allow students and other interested parties to voice their concerns and seek clarifications regarding the appeals process.
As HELB and UF work to ensure fair access to education financing, students are encouraged to make use of the appeals mechanism and participate in discussions to shape a more inclusive funding model.
