2022 KCSE examinations are over. The results might be released by the end of January 2023. That means, by May 2023 form four leavers might be joining colleges or universities.
Here is the Process of Preparing to Join College or University 2023.
Things to do before KCSE results are released
This is the time form four leavers should start preparing for their university or college years.
This is the time to learn computer packages for those who does not have computer exposure.
Computer packages are useful in completing presentable college or university assignments.
While learning computer packages, if the computer teacher is open minded, one is exposed to useful websites like KUCCPs, HELB, ITAX, etc.
At this time a form four leaver should also apply for an ID. This will be used to apply HELB loan. Note, without an ID you cannot apply HELB loan even if you have an A in your KCSE.
Things to do after KCSE is released
At this time one will be sure whether he/she will be joining college or university, the grades will determine it.
At this point many people make grave mistakes.
Meeting university entry points should not lure a person to join university. There are many useless courses in our universities, as well as in our colleges.
It will be wise to pursue a degree or diploma that can take you to a place or enable you start your own business.
When you get your KCSE result slip find open minded people who can guide you on courses to take.
I know of people who met university entry points but are in technical colleges or KMTC pursuing relevant courses.
I also know people in universities pursuing irrelevant courses. They are people who even lie about courses they are pursuing because they know they are meaningless.
At this point familiarise yourself with KUCCPs portal. Get to know their past cut off points.
After around 2 weeks (following KCSE release) KUCCPs portal will be opened for course selection.
Things to do when selecting courses.
First selection stage
First selection stage is like a market very early in the morning. It has all courses on offer.
At this stage select courses you want, but, it will depend with your grades. The KUCCPs portal and cut off points will automatically keep you out of courses you might not get.
Two, chooses colleges or universities you want. Do not be lured by big names. After, college or university, interest will not be where you schooled but what you learnt and what you can do with what you learnt.
If your parents are not well off, consider colleges or universities in remote areas where cost of living is low. This is a factor many people forget and they end up suffering in their entire college or university life.
When selecting courses remember you will pay ksh1500/= (or ksh1000 if you had paid 500/= while in school). You will be able to choose courses on your own if you will have done computer packages. This will save you cyber charges.
Second selection stage (revision)
It is not a must for one to get the courses selected at first selections stage. If that happens you are given an opportunity to revise courses from remaining courses.
This stage is like a market at noon. Courses are available but almost the good ones are already taken. This is a step one can avoid by being realistic during first selection.
Third selection or revision stage (final)
In this stage courses are available but in most cases are courses students do not want to take. It is like market in the evening.
If the applicant does not get a course of choice at this stage, he or she is allocated any available course. It is a sad stage.
Things to Do After Course Selection
KUCCPs course selection will take like one and half month.
When one will get university admitted to from KUCCPs, the next step is to regularly visit that university website for more updates.
It is on the university website where one downloads admission letter, fee structure and other forms that need to be filled.
Allow me to mention a document called acceptance/rejection/deferment form. If one is not able to join university due to various reasons like financial problem, health conditions, family issues etc., he or she should fill this form and take it to the university admitted to immediately in order to be able to join that university in the future.
When one gets the admission letter, the next step is to apply HELB loan if necessary. Also, one can apply county and CDF bursaries if available.
To apply HELB loan one will need a personal ID, KRA pin, parents IDs or death certificate, guarantors IDs and personal bank account.
It is good to note that HELB money cannot be used to pay for first semester as it is disbursed after applicants have already joined college or university. Therefore, the parent/guardian should have at least 40,000/= to cater for the first semester.
Note, you apply HELB loan online and then take the application form to their offices at Nairobi or nearest Huduma Centre.
Those are the things every form four leaver thinking of joining college or university should do.
Things to do before KCSE results are released
This is the time form four leavers should start preparing for their university or college years.
This is the time to learn computer packages for those who does not have computer exposure.
Computer packages are useful in completing presentable college or university assignments.
While learning computer packages, if the computer teacher is open minded, one is exposed to useful websites like KUCCPs, HELB, ITAX, etc.
At this time a form four leaver should also apply for an ID. This will be used to apply HELB loan. Note, without an ID you cannot apply HELB loan even if you have an A in your KCSE.
Things to do after KCSE is released
At this time one will be sure whether he/she will be joining college or university, the grades will determine it.
At this point many people make grave mistakes.
Meeting university entry points should not lure a person to join university. There are many useless courses in our universities, as well as in our colleges.
It will be wise to pursue a degree or diploma that can take you to a place or enable you start your own business.
When you get your KCSE result slip find open minded people who can guide you on courses to take.
I know of people who met university entry points but are in technical colleges or KMTC pursuing relevant courses.
I also know people in universities pursuing irrelevant courses. They are people who even lie about courses they are pursuing because they know they are meaningless.
At this point familiarise yourself with KUCCPs portal. Get to know their past cut off points.
After around 2 weeks (following KCSE release) KUCCPs portal will be opened for course selection.
Things to do when selecting courses.
First selection stage
First selection stage is like a market very early in the morning. It has all courses on offer.
At this stage select courses you want, but, it will depend with your grades. The KUCCPs portal and cut off points will automatically keep you out of courses you might not get.
Two, chooses colleges or universities you want. Do not be lured by big names. After, college or university, interest will not be where you schooled but what you learnt and what you can do with what you learnt.
If your parents are not well off, consider colleges or universities in remote areas where cost of living is low. This is a factor many people forget and they end up suffering in their entire college or university life.
When selecting courses remember you will pay ksh1500/= (or ksh1000 if you had paid 500/= while in school). You will be able to choose courses on your own if you will have done computer packages. This will save you cyber charges.
Second selection stage (revision)
It is not a must for one to get the courses selected at first selections stage. If that happens you are given an opportunity to revise courses from remaining courses.
This stage is like a market at noon. Courses are available but almost the good ones are already taken. This is a step one can avoid by being realistic during first selection.
Third selection or revision stage (final)
In this stage courses are available but in most cases are courses students do not want to take. It is like market in the evening.
If the applicant does not get a course of choice at this stage, he or she is allocated any available course. It is a sad stage.
Things to Do After Course Selection
KUCCPs course selection will take like one and half month.
When one will get university admitted to from KUCCPs, the next step is to regularly visit that university website for more updates.
It is on the university website where one downloads admission letter, fee structure and other forms that need to be filled.
Allow me to mention a document called acceptance/rejection/deferment form. If one is not able to join university due to various reasons like financial problem, health conditions, family issues etc., he or she should fill this form and take it to the university admitted to immediately in order to be able to join that university in the future.
When one gets the admission letter, the next step is to apply HELB loan if necessary. Also, one can apply county and CDF bursaries if available.
To apply HELB loan one will need a personal ID, KRA pin, parents IDs or death certificate, guarantors IDs and personal bank account.
It is good to note that HELB money cannot be used to pay for first semester as it is disbursed after applicants have already joined college or university. Therefore, the parent/guardian should have at least 40,000/= to cater for the first semester.
Note, you apply HELB loan online and then take the application form to their offices at Nairobi or nearest Huduma Centre.
Those are the things every form four leaver thinking of joining college or university should do.
