The University Fund Kenya announced on Monday that students seeking to join university in September 2024 without a National Identity Card risk losing out on government scholarships.
This revelation came in response to an enquiry by Principal Secretary for the State Department for Higher Education and Research, Beatrice Inyangala, after students voiced concerns about their inability to apply for funding through the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
A significant number of Kenyans criticized the government for delaying the issuance of ID cards, which made it impossible for students to apply for scholarships.
In response, the University Fund clarified that young Kenyans who have not yet attained the age of 18 can still apply for the scholarship.
For students under 18, the loan application portal allows them to bypass the ID requirement by entering their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) Index number instead.
However, this workaround is not available for students over 18 who have yet to obtain their national IDs.
“Those who have applied for IDs and are still waiting for them to be processed will have to be patient, as they will require the IDs to apply for the scholarship,” the agency responded.
This announcement highlights the bureaucratic challenges faced by many students in Kenya.
The delay in issuing ID cards not only affects students’ ability to apply for university funding but also creates a barrier to accessing higher education for those who have already achieved the necessary academic qualifications.
The situation underscores a broader systemic issue within the Kenyan government’s administrative processes, where delays in essential services like ID issuance can have a cascading effect on individuals’ lives, particularly in education.
The requirement for national IDs to access government scholarships and loans is intended to streamline and verify applicants’ identities, but it inadvertently penalizes those who are victims of administrative delays.
The University Fund’s provision for under-18 students to use their KCSE Index number is a welcome relief for younger students, ensuring that they do not miss out on educational opportunities due to bureaucratic inefficiencies. However, the lack of similar provisions for older students suggests a need for more flexible and inclusive policies that accommodate all students regardless of age or administrative hurdles.
As the September 2024 university intake approaches, it is crucial for the government to expedite the processing of ID cards and consider alternative verification methods for scholarship applications.
Ensuring timely access to education funding is vital for the academic and professional futures of many young Kenyans.
The situation calls for urgent attention from relevant authorities to prevent deserving students from being unfairly disadvantaged.
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