Congratulations for securing your slots at different universities and TVETs in Kenya.
In a few years, you will achieve your dreams and we will have many journalists joining us, new industrial chemists, engineers, doctors, nurses, teachers, agronomists, criminologists, psychologists, physicists, and so on.
Please do not drop out of school to eat HELB funds.
In this guide, we will be showing you how to apply for HELB loan and actually get it, plus the requirements and everything you need.
Requirements
HELB, the government agency responsible for financing higher education, offers low-interest loans currently at 4% plus a KSh 1,000 annual ledger fee, which helps cover tuition, books, accommodation and upkeep.
Under the revamped model launched in 2023, funding blends scholarships, loans and family contributions based on an applicant’s assessed financial need. The program primarily supports studies in public and chartered private universities and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions within the East African Community.
Key requirements include:
* A valid email address and a Kenyan-registered mobile telephone number in the applicant’s own name.
* KCPE and KCSE index numbers together with the year of examination.
* A recent passport-size photograph (JPEG, JPG or PNG format).
* Scanned copy of the National ID or Maisha Card (both sides, PDF).
* Valid bank-account details or an M-PESA number registered in the applicant’s name and ID.
* Parents’ or guardians’ National ID numbers and registered telephone numbers.
* If a parent is deceased, a copy of the death certificate (PDF).
* Birth certificate (PDF) for applicants under 18.
* Two guarantors (often parents) with their ID numbers and phone numbers.
Students placed through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) or admitted to approved private institutions are eligible, though public-university students may also qualify for scholarships alongside loans. Private-university and certain medical-training students typically receive loans only.
Pre-university, certificate, diploma, and postgraduate students are generally excluded from standard undergraduate loans.
Step-by-Step Application Process
The entire process is conducted online and typically takes 30–60 minutes once documents are ready. Applicants are strongly advised to apply at least one month before the institution’s opening date.
1. Visit the official portal: Go to www.hef.co.ke or www.helb.co.ke and click on the Student Portal (portal.hef.co.ke).
2. Register a new account: Enter your National ID or KCSE index number if under 18, a valid email address, and create a strong password. Click “Register.”
3. Activate the account: Check your email inbox or spam/junk folder for an activation link and click it. Verify your phone number with the one-time code sent via SMS.
4. Complete your profile: Log in and fill the five mandatory sections under “My Profile”:
- Personal Information
- Residence
- Education background
- Institution details
- Parents/Guardians information
Upload all required documents at this stage.
5. Select funding options: Under the HELB menu, choose “Loan Application” or Scholarship/Loan. Review and accept the terms and conditions.
6. Provide loan disbursement details: Enter your bank account or M-PESA number for direct disbursement.
7. Submit and confirm: Double-check all information, submit the application, and download or note the confirmation. A copy will be emailed to you.
Applications for the 2026 academic cycle for May and September intakes are open now. Officials strongly recommend submitting applications at least one month before the institution’s opening date to allow time for processing and disbursement.
How to Get HELB Now?
After applying, students get what we call batch numbers, which help in tracking their position in getting the loan.
It is usually given in slots in relation to when one applied for the loan.
After you get the batch, wait for a period of 1-3 months for funds to be disbursed and reflect on your wallet for you to withdraw.
Read: How to Check Your HELB Batch Number
Repayment and Responsibility
Once disbursed, loans are repayable upon completion of studies or after a grace period, with borrowers expected to begin contributions once they enter the workforce.
HELB emphasizes prudent use of funds strictly for education-related expenses.
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