As of January 23, 2026, students who have transferred courses or moved between universities and colleges are required to update their information on the Higher Education Financing (HEF) Portal.
This step is critical to ensure that government funding, including loans and scholarships, is disbursed to the correct institution and aligned with the student’s current course of study.
Failure to update these details may result in misdirected funds, delayed disbursements, or temporary suspension of financial support.
Why this update matters
The HEF system uses institutional and course data to determine where funds are sent and how much a student qualifies for. When a student transfers—whether through KUCCPS inter-university transfers or internal course changes—the old information remains active unless updated manually.
In mid-January 2026, several institutions, including Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT), issued urgent notices asking transferred students to update their HEF profiles immediately. These notices followed reports of funds being sent to previous institutions after transfers had already taken effect.
While the main HEF application deadlines for the 2025/2026 academic year closed in late 2025, the “Update Institutions” feature and the Funds Appeal process remain open and dynamic for affected students.
How to Update Your HEF Profile
The HEF portal has introduced self-service tools to make the update process easier:
- Log in to the HEF Student Portal using your existing credentials.
- Click on “Update Institutions” and search for your current university or college and approved course.
- Confirm and complete your biodata, ensuring all sections are filled to 100%.
- Upload supporting documents, especially your new admission or transfer letter.
- If your funding was calculated based on a previous course with higher fees, submit an Online Scholarship & Loan Review (Appeal) to adjust your funding needs.
Critical requirements to avoid errors
To ensure a successful update and smooth disbursement, students must confirm the following:
- A valid phone number registered in your own name and ID number
- Correct bank details matching your National ID
- An official inter-university or course transfer letter
Important caution: Students who initially applied using their KCSE Index Number but now have a National ID should update their ID details on the same HEF profile. Creating a new account may lead to system conflicts and funding delays.
Key recommendation
Students are advised to complete all updates within 72 hours of receiving a new admission letter or after any system maintenance. Acting early is the best way to safeguard your education financing and avoid unnecessary stress.
