Universities Fund Opens 2026/2027 Scholarship Window for Continuing Students (Kenya, June 2026)
Universities Fund opened the 2026/2027 scholarship application window for continuing students under the Student-Centred Funding Model. The application route applies to students in second year and beyond who were placed in public universities by KUCCPS.
Universities Fund opened the 2026/2027 scholarship application window for continuing students under the Student-Centred Funding Model. The application route applies to students in second year and beyond who were placed in public universities by KUCCPS.
What Changed?
Continuing public university students became able to apply for the 2026/2027 scholarship cycle through the official USSD route. Universities Fund also confirmed that first-year undergraduate students from the 2025 KCSE cohort would be invited later through the HEF portal before joining universities from September.
Old System vs New System
Before the 2026/2027 window opened, continuing students did not yet have access to the new academic year’s scholarship application cycle.
Eligible continuing students in second year and beyond can apply for scholarships for the 2026/2027 academic year through *642#. Scholarship awards under the model range from 30 percent to 70 percent, depending on the student’s funding band.
Who Is Affected?
Student Impact
Continuing students must apply for the new funding cycle to maintain or renew scholarship support for the 2026/2027 academic year. First-year students should wait for the separate HEF portal invitation before applying.
Parent / Family Impact
Families can plan university costs using the official scholarship application cycle and should ensure eligible students complete the required application process on time.
School / Institution Impact
Public universities and student finance offices must guide continuing students through the application route and prepare for first-year HEF applications before September entry.
Teacher / Staff Impact
No direct teacher-specific operational change was identified.
Key Dates
- 2026-06-01: subsequent application window opened
- 2026-06-04: Universities Fund announcement published
- September 2026: expected entry period for first-year undergraduate students.
What To Do
- Continuing students should apply through *642#
- confirm KUCCPS placement eligibility and monitor official Universities Fund or HEF guidance for further application instructions.
What To Watch Next
The next step is the opening of the HEF portal process for first-year students from the 2025 KCSE cohort.
Global Context
The update is relevant for tracking how Kenya uses need-based public scholarships within university financing and how annual reapplication affects continuing students.
Source Record
Source type: Official announcement
Source name: Universities Fund