Government Launches Universal Student Funding Model to Enhance Access to Higher Education

The Kenyan government has introduced a new university funding framework designed to improve access and affordability for higher education across the country. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced the Universal Student Funding Model during the University of Embu’s 11th graduation ceremony on August 21, 2026.

This new model replaces the previous Student-Centred Funding Model (SCFM) that relied heavily on assessing parents’ financial status through the Means Testing Instrument (MTI). Ogamba highlighted that the earlier approach often disadvantaged talented students whose parents’ financial circumstances did not accurately reflect their ability to support higher education costs.

Shift in Funding Approach

The Universal Student Funding Model shifts the focus from parental wealth to investing directly in students’ future professional development. According to the Education CS, this new framework is intended to transform university education funding from a household expense into a strategic state investment in human capital.

Ogamba noted that previous funding systems, including the Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) model phased out in 2023, had contributed to financial challenges for universities, including significant debts due to insufficient government support.

Goals of the New Model

• Enable equitable access to higher education for all deserving students regardless of parental income
• Prevent talented students from abandoning preferred career paths due to financial constraints
• Support students’ professional capacity development as a national priority

By adopting this new funding strategy, the government aims to ensure that financial barriers no longer hinder students’ educational aspirations and career choices.