University Funding Application Deadline Extension.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has made an effort to extend the deadline for application for funding for students set to join institutions of higher learning to October 7. This is due to the low volume of applications received, with more than half of the students failing to make their applications close to the expiration of the set deadline.
The previous deadline for application was on Thursday, September 7, 2023. However, as of this date, only 156,532 students had successfully applied for funding, with an additional 108,468 failing to make their applications.
The process for application for higher education financing began on 31st July 2023. However, most students who have failed to make the application cite the slow application process and inaccessibility to infrastructure as the significant shortcomings in the application process.
According to the Education Cabinet Secretary, the Higher Education Loans Board and the University Fund are under firm instructions to develop strategies for speeding up the awarding of scholarships and loans for students who have completed the application process. Subsequently, other agencies involved will continually process and disburse these funds.
The Ministry of Education has also scrapped the requirement for a national identity card during the application process, making it possible for underage students to apply for scholarships and loans.
According to Geoffrey Monari, the University Fund’s CEO, all students must apply for both the scholarship and loans.
After transitioning from the old model, this is the first time the new model is in use. As a result, according to the CEO, application delays are a result of emerging technological challenges, including data validation.
As of last week, many students have reported to institutions of higher learning. This is under the Cabinet Secretary’s instructions that all students be admitted to universities and colleges even before processing their scholarship and loan applications.
However, regardless of the directive by the Cabinet Secretary, universities such as Chuka require that students provide proof of application before admission into the institution.
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University Funding Application Deadline Extension.