Thousands of Form Four leavers who qualified for university admission but missed out on placement have been handed a second chance after the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) unveiled a new platform that allows eligible candidates from previous KCSE cohorts to secure university admission instantly.
For the first time, candidates who attained a minimum grade of C+ in the 2022, 2023 and 2024 KCSE examinations but did not apply for placement can log into the KUCCPS portal, select an available degree programme and receive an admission letter immediately.
The move marks a significant shift in Kenya's university admissions system, ending years in which thousands of qualified students were locked out of higher education simply because they missed the annual placement exercise.
KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer Dr Agnes Wahome said the platform was developed after the agency realised that a significant number of eligible students never applied for placement despite qualifying for university admission.
Dr Wahome said successful applicants would immediately qualify to apply for government scholarships, Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans and other support under the Higher Education Financing Model.
“Every year, only about 85 per cent of eligible students apply for placement. The question has always been: What happens to the remaining 15 per cent? Once they receive the placement letter, they can proceed directly to apply for a HELB loan and a government scholarship. This is revolutionary because we want to ensure that no Kenyan is left behind simply because they missed the placement window,” she said.
She said the response had been overwhelming, with more than 100,000 applicants accessing the platform within the first 24 hours of its launch.
“This is history, and I am happy we are launching this platform here in Uriri,” she said.
The application window is open to Form Four leavers from 2022 to 2025 who attained the minimum university entry grade but did not secure placement through KUCCPS.
Ms Agnes Mercy Wahome, the CEO of the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS).
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Dr Wahome said the initiative addresses a long-standing gap in university admissions by giving qualified candidates another opportunity to pursue higher education without waiting for a new placement cycle.
“For TVET programmes, we have been allowing students to apply as far back as the year 2000. This is the first time we are extending a similar opportunity to university applicants from previous years,” she said.
“We are calling on all Form Four leavers from 2022 to 2025 who scored C+ and above but missed university placement not to remain behind. Eligible applicants are now receiving instant placement through the KUCCPS portal,” she said.
The announcement was made during the launch of a nationwide sensitisation campaign by KUCCPS, the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and the Universities Fund to help students understand the higher education financing process and complete their applications correctly.
Universities Fund Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Edwin Wanyonyi urged students from vulnerable families to submit accurate information and all the required documents to improve their chances of receiving maximum government scholarship support.
“Government scholarships are the State's investment in young people. We want every deserving student, especially those from needy backgrounds, to access higher education without financial barriers,” he said.
Uriri MP Mark Nyamita, who hosted the event and facilitated funding applications for more than 2,200 students, said the campaign was intended to dispel misconceptions about university funding and ensure no eligible learner misses out because of misinformation.
Higher Education Loans Board CEO Geoffrey Monari.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
‘The purpose of this exercise is to demystify the myths surrounding higher education funding. We have brought together the relevant agencies to guide students through the application process and help them avoid costly mistakes,” he said.
The new application window comes as public universities prepare to admit more than 270,000 students placed by KUCCPS for the 2026/27 academic year, while offering thousands of previously overlooked qualified candidates a fresh pathway to university.
HELB Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Monari said students who sat the 2025 KCSE examination would know their funding status by August 31, 2026, ahead of the September university intake.
