A university student has received Ksh55,200 in upkeep funds from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) after seeking help over a missing allocation.
The student, who is pursuing her studies at Pwani University, had complained to the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) after HELB processed her tuition funding but failed to release money for her upkeep.
According to the Office of the Ombudsman, the student applied for HELB funding in August 2025 to help meet her tuition and living expenses while at the university.
She was approved for tuition support but did not receive the expected upkeep allocation, prompting her to seek the commission’s intervention.
CAJ took up the matter and wrote to HELB on May 11, 2026, asking the board to explain why the upkeep funds had not been processed.
HELB later confirmed that the student qualified as a government-sponsored learner. However, investigators found that she had listed herself as self-sponsored when making her original application.
The error affected the amount of funding she received, with HELB initially allocating Ksh90,301.80 towards her tuition.
The student was then told to visit the HEF Student Portal and amend her sponsorship information.
Upon doing so, HELB reviewed her application again and released a further Kshs. 55,200 to cover her sustenance costs.
The commission explained that the matter had been sorted out, stressing how important it is for students to provide accurate information during the process of applying for government support to pursue their studies.
This is amid ongoing applications for HELB loans and scholarships for the 2026/2027 academic year among first-time applicants taking undergraduate programs and TVET courses.
It has been recommended that those students applying for higher education funding be careful to confirm their information especially that regarding their sponsorship.
This is for those who have been given the funding but think that the amount they have been given is incorrect.
The resolution also shows how students can use the Ombudsman’s office to seek assistance when they face challenges accessing government services.
