HELB Has Abolished Bands — What This Means for the 2025 KCSE Cohort

You have just read five articles explaining the five funding bands in detail.

Now here is the update that changes things for you specifically.

In August 2025 HELB made a significant announcement. The rigid five band categorisation system is being abolished. Going forward, each student's funding allocation will be determined individually based on their assessed level of financial need and the cost of their specific programme.

Here is what that means in plain language.

What changed

Under the old band system, students were grouped into one of five fixed categories. Everyone in Band 2 received the same percentage of scholarship regardless of the specific differences in their household situations.

Under the new approach, your allocation is personalised. Two students with similar but not identical household situations may receive different amounts. The assessment is more granular. More individual. More accurate.

Why HELB made this change

The band system faced criticism from the moment it launched.

Students and parents felt it was too rigid. A family right on the border between Band 2 and Band 3 received very different funding despite almost identical financial circumstances. Small differences in reported income led to large differences in government support.

HELB Chairperson Ekwee Ethuro acknowledged publicly in July 2025 that the formula needed revision. He stated that the parameters must change to capture the real concerns of Kenyan families more accurately.

What stays the same

The principle has not changed. The more financial need you have, the more support you receive. The less financial need, the more your household contributes.

The HEF portal at hef.co.ke remains the application platform. The Means Testing Instrument still assesses your household situation. Scholarships still come from the Universities Fund. Loans still come from HELB. You still must apply. Nothing is still automatic.

What this means for you practically

Apply through the HEF portal as early as possible and as accurately as possible.

The individualised assessment makes honest and thorough information even more important than before. There is no longer a fixed band to fall into. Your specific household situation is what determines your specific allocation.

Document everything about your household accurately. Income. Family size. Assets. Special circumstances. The more complete your picture, the more accurately HELB can assess your real need.

The bottom line

The bands are being phased out. The need based assessment remains. For students with genuine financial hardship this change should result in fairer, more personalised support.

For all students it means your application must be as accurate and as detailed as possible.

Have you started gathering your household information for the HEF portal application?

Need help filling in your application correctly? BCH is here.

📞 +254 729 820 689
🌐 bonniecomputerhub.co.ke

© Bonnie Computer Hub | Empowering Through Technology