President William Ruto on Wednesday 3rd May announced a new model of university education funding that will see financially vulnerable and needy students exempted from paying fees. Ruto announced that the funding will now come in the form of government scholarships, loans, and bursaries and is expected to take effect starting this year.
According to the President, students hailing from financially disadvantaged households who enrol in universities will be eligible for government scholarships up to a maximum of 53% and loans up to 40%. The remaining expenses of their university education, which amounts to only 7% of the total cost, will be paid by their households.
As per the new funding model, students who are financially stable and enrol in universities will receive government scholarships of up to 38% of the total programme cost and loans of up to 55%. Their households will only be responsible for paying 7% of the expenses.
Students who enrol in TVETs will receive a 32% government scholarship, and 48% in loans, and their households will bear 20% of the total costs.
President Ruto emphasized the government’s dedication to supporting all students in their education adequately. He stated that a new funding model is essential to address the financial crises faced by public universities.
The model will be based on the level of need of the students and will be distributed equitably through scholarships and loans, as explained by the President during a media briefing held at the State House.
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