The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has opened applications for its 2026/2027 partial postgraduate scholarship programme, giving Kenyan students pursuing Master's and PhD studies an opportunity to receive financial support of up to Ksh450,000.
The scholarships are designed to help eligible students reduce the financial burden associated with advanced university education and are available to Kenyans enrolled in postgraduate programmes at public and private universities recognised by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Applications for the scholarships will remain open until August 31, 2026.
Under the programme, successful Master's degree applicants will receive Ksh200,000, which will be spread over a two-year study period. PhD candidates will receive up to Ksh450,000, payable over three years.
HELB said the funding will mainly support students undertaking programmes in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), as well as agriculture-related fields.
The targeted areas are considered key to Kenya’s development goals, including industrialisation, innovation, research advancement, and improving food security through specialised skills and knowledge.
Applicants seeking consideration must have achieved at least a Second Class Upper Division in their undergraduate studies and must provide a valid admission letter from a university recognised by CUE.
Students who have previously benefited from HELB loans will also be required to demonstrate that they are actively repaying their loans or have cleared their outstanding balances before they can qualify for the postgraduate scholarships.
HELB stated that applicants will pay a non-refundable application fee of Ksh3,000 through the eCitizen platform. The board also encouraged persons living with disabilities who meet the requirements to submit their applications.
The institution warned applicants to be cautious of fraudsters claiming they can influence the scholarship selection process, noting that awarding of the scholarships is handled through an automated system.
The latest scholarship programme comes shortly after HELB opened applications for continuing undergraduate loans under the 2026/2027 financial year, which received a record Ksh56.3 billion allocation for higher education financing.
For many students seeking advanced qualifications, the postgraduate scholarships could provide much-needed support by reducing tuition and research-related financial challenges. The initiative is also expected to expand Kenya’s pool of highly trained professionals in areas that contribute to economic growth and national development.
The announcement comes amid ongoing discussions around reforms in higher education financing, following President William Ruto’s proposal for the government to fully fund university and college students in the future.