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| HELB Opens 2026/2027 Scholarship Applications for Master's and PhD Students |
HELB Opens 2026/2027 Scholarship Applications for Master's and PhD Students
The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has officially opened applications for its 2026/2027 postgraduate scholarship programme, offering eligible Kenyan students an opportunity to access financial support for Master's and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) studies.
The scholarship programme is designed to ease the financial burden faced by students pursuing advanced academic qualifications in local universities.
As the cost of postgraduate education continues to rise, the initiative is expected to benefit hundreds of scholars seeking to further their studies while contributing to research, innovation, and national development.
Under the programme, successful Master's students will receive a partial scholarship worth KSh200,000, which will be tenable for two years. PhD beneficiaries will receive KSh450,000, payable over three years to support their academic programmes.
The scholarships are open to Kenyan citizens enrolled in Master's and PhD programmes at public and private universities recognised by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements set by HELB before submitting their applications.
Among the key requirements is possession of a valid admission letter from a recognised university. Applicants are also expected to have attained at least a Second Class Upper Division in their undergraduate studies.
In addition, former HELB loan beneficiaries must demonstrate that they are actively repaying their loans or have fully settled any outstanding balances before qualifying for the scholarship programme.
Interested candidates are required to submit their applications through the official Higher Education Financing portal.
During the application process, applicants will be expected to upload essential documents, including academic transcripts, degree certificates, admission letters, identification documents, passport-size photographs, and bank account details. A non-refundable application fee of KSh3,000 is also required.
HELB has cautioned applicants against fraudsters who claim they can influence or fast-track scholarship approvals in exchange for payment.
The board has emphasized that all applications are processed through an automated system and that no individual can guarantee a successful application.
Applicants are therefore encouraged to apply personally and rely only on official communication channels.
The application window will remain open until August 31, 2026, giving prospective postgraduate students ample time to prepare and submit their applications.
Persons living with disabilities have also been encouraged to apply as part of the programme's commitment to promoting equitable access to higher education.
Education stakeholders have welcomed the reopening of the scholarship programme, noting that increased investment in postgraduate education will strengthen Kenya's research capacity, produce highly skilled professionals, and support innovation across key sectors of the economy.
The initiative also aligns with the government's broader efforts to expand access to higher education financing and empower more Kenyans to pursue advanced studies.
HELB Opens 2026/2027 Scholarship Applications for Master's and PhD Students