The Helb Student Portal gives you instant access to a wealth of resources at HELB.
How does it work?
The system is very easy to use. When you register and login you will have access to everything from loan application to allocation and disbursement status. Who can use the portal? Any registered or existing students can have free and unlimited access to the portal.
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION PRESS STATEMENT
THURSDAY 31ST JULY 2025: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SCHOLARSHIPS AND LOANS FUNDING UPDATE FOR THE 2025/2026 ACADEMIC YEAR
The Ministry of Education wishes to reassure all Kenyans, especially students, parents, guardians, and our learning institutions, of the Government’s strong and ongoing commitment to supporting access to higher education for all deserving learners.
We are pleased to confirm that both HELB and Universities Fund have been facilitated by the Government to disburse funds to Universities and Students. Indeed the disbursement of HELB loans for first-year university students will begin on 15th August 2025, in line with the reopening of universities. These funds will be released in phases to ensure a smooth transition into University/TVET College and to help students settle into their academic journey without interruption. In addition, the Universities Fund has begun disbursing first quarter scholarship funds for this FY 2025/2026 to all Public Universities.
Applications for loans and scholarships for 2024 KCSE cohort placed by KUCCPS is ongoing. As of today, 129,403 university students and 60,976 TVET trainees have successfully submitted their Scholarships and loan applications under the Student-Centred Funding Model [SCFM]. The application portal remains open until 31st August 2025, and we encourage all eligible students who have not yet applied to do so before the deadline date.
This academic year under the SCFM HELB and the Universities Fund expects to support 201,695 first-year university students and over 237,000 TVET trainees in addition to 257,523 ongoing students. So far, the submitted applications represent 64% of university applicants and 51% of those expected for the September TVET intake, reflecting good progress. Processing of the already received applications are ongoing to ensure timely funds disbursement to students and Institutions of Higher Learning.
To ensure No Student is left behind, the Government has increased HELB’s annual funding from KSh.36 billion to KSh.41 billion, a significant boost of KSh.5 billion. Of this, KSh.13 billion has already been released to support tuition, and upkeep for students while KShs. 16.9 billion has been allocated to the Universities Fund for Scholarships.
The Ministry remains committed to ensuring that no eligible student is left behind due to financial constraints.
Get all the The Higher Education Loans Board, Helb, news on the go immediately it breaks. HELB information is updated immediately it breaks, here. You can also get access to a large number of HELB forms, circulars, guidelines and news.
Quickly jump to the HELB information you are seeking by selecting the items in the ‘table of contents’ below. This will save you the agony of moving through the whole post and time.
Students from extremely needy households to get 100% financing.
Students classified into four categories: vulnerable, extremely needy, needy and less needy
Kuccps placed University and TVET students with letters are eligible
Family economic background to be evaluated before loan or scholarship is awarded.
University and College students will now qualify for loans and scholarships via the Higher Education Funding Model. According to the University Fund Kenya, one must be Kenyan and a 2022 KCSE examination candidate to be eligible for the scholarship.
He or she must have also been placed by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) to pursue an undergraduate, diploma, craft certificate, or artisan course at one of Kenya’s accredited public universities or TVET colleges.
The scholarship will be open to students who sat their KCSE examination from 2022 onwards.
Once confirmed to have met the requirements, one will be needed to visit https://www.hef.co.ke/ for application with a checklist meeting the requirements hereunder;
A valid email address, a valid phone number registered to the applicant’s name, KCPE and KCSE index numbers and year of examination, College/University admission letter and a copy of the sponsorship letter for those sponsored in secondary school.
Others are the applicant’s parent/guardian’s registered numbers, the applicant’s ID number, death certificate if parents are deceased, a passport photo and a birth certificate.
Also, those who will be seeking loans will be needed to have the ID numbers and telephone numbers for two guarantors.
On the platform, one will first register/log in, fill out their profile and upload their documents, tick the box to apply for a scholarship or a loan and submit the application.
The applicant will then wait for the award within 30 days and then wait for an SMS payment notification.
It is also worth noting that students in private universities are not eligible for the government scholarship fund, but can apply for loans through HELB.
Continuing students will not be affected by the funding model and will continue to receive their funding based on the previous funding model.
The level of funding for each student will depend on the monthly household income and the financial aid has been classified into four categories, the vulnerable, extremely needy, needy and less needy.
Under the model, those students falling under the vulnerable and extremely needy band will qualify for 100% government funding for their studies with the money coming as scholarships and loans, and those deemed to be needy and less needy will get 93% government funding, with the students bearing 7% of the tuition costs.
Students from the vulnerable and extremely needy households will receive 100% funding while the needy and less needy will get 93% government funding and a 7% contribution from their households to cover for the tuition fees.
All university and TVET students who have received letters from universities and TVET colleges as per the placement from Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) are eligible for funding.
Classification of students
To effect this, the government has classified students seeking funding into four categories, the vulnerable, extremely needy, needy and less needy. The students joining private institutions too are eligible for the HELB loan and are encouraged to apply.
Funding across the four categories will be determined by evaluating family economic background to ensure that students from poor households are given priority in terms of scholarship allocation while those from less needy households are covered by loan financing from HELB as has been in the past.
The classes are vulnerable– who come from the poorest background; then there is the extremely needy who are the second neediest in the funding classification.
The third and fourth classes are needy and less needy respectively. These two categories need little to no support in paying their fees.
What students need when applying for financing under the new Higher Education financing Model
How to apply on the HELB App as a second and Subsequent applicant
Applicants should visit Google play store and download the HELB Mobile Application.
Register your details (First name, Phone, Email Address, National ID and KRA PIN number) on the HELB App to generate a PIN which you will use to log in and accept the license agreement. Ensure that you use the Safaricom number that you use for Mpesa transactions and it should be registered in your name
Read the mandatory Financial literacy notes and undertake a brief Question & Answer to appreciate the purpose of credit. Scroll down to view results then click “proceed”.
Click on loans then select undergraduate loans to get the Undergraduate Subsequent Loan Application Form [LAF].
Follow each step to fill in the required details and submit. A pop-up message will appear to show that you have successfully applied. The loan serial number will also be displayed
NB: You will be required to pay Kshs. 1 from your MPESA account during the application process to verify your telephone number. Please note, the application is paperless hence no printing.
Students that are not Safaricom subscribers will be directed to the Portal and apply using the application form, after which they will be required to print and submit the form to the HELB Student Service Centre on Mezzanine 1 Floor at Anniversary Towers
Please ensure that you read, understand, and follow the instructions provided at the beginning of the online loan application process including reading and undertaking the HELB Financial Literacy Program
Eligible students
Recent beneficiaries of the Undergraduate Loan
Students placed by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Placement Service [KUCCPS] in the local public and private universities
Self-Sponsored, Parallel and Module II Students studying for a Bachelor’s degree only [Certificate, Diploma, Pre-University and Postgraduate students ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PRODUCT]
Loan award
The maximum Undergraduate loan awarded is Kshs. 60,000. For the students placed by Kenya University and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), the loan amount is split to cater for both Tuition fee and Upkeep. A standard amount of Kshs. 4,000 for Government sponsored students only is deducted from the loan awarded and disbursed to the university per semester, for tuition [Total Ksh 8, 000] and the rest is sent to the applicant’s bank account as upkeep.
For the Self sponsored students, all the money is sent directly to the university once a year as tuition fees.
An Administrative Fee of Ksh. 500 per year is charged on the loan awarded and it is therefore deducted from the disbursed loan. A limited number of needy government sponsored students receive a bursary of between Ksh. 4, 000 and Ksh. 8,000 per year. The Bursary is paid to the university as tuition.
The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has disbursed a total of Sh. 1.56 billion for tuition and upkeep for university students and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) trainees.
Out of the amount, a total of 31,263 TVET trainees and 33,863university students will benefit from the loan disbursements.
In a press statement sent to newsrooms, the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Education Julius Ogamba said HELB has already notified students and trainees who are to benefit from the funds through its official communication channels.
“I call upon university students and TVET trainees to check their HELB portals,” advised Ogamba.
Education Cabinet Secretary, CS, Julius Migos Ogamba.
The CS stated that in the current Financial Year 2024/2025 HELB has to date disbursed a total of Sh32.7 billion in upkeep and tuition loans to 195,522 trainees in TVET institutions and 390,612 students in universities.
“The provision of this funding will ensure that student and trainee needs are met, this will enable them to continue with their academic, training and research programmes without hindrance,” he stated.
Ogamba assured that the government will continue to provide financial support to university students and TVET trainees towards the attainment of their academic and training goals.
The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has opened the student portal for first time undergraduate loan applications, online. Get all the details on requirements, how to apply and the Helb loan application form here.
HOW TO CHECK FOR YOUR LOAN APPLICATION AND DISBURSEMENT STATUS.
Enter *642# into your dialer.
Select option 1 for log in.
Enter your PIN.
Select 1 for Loan application and Disbursement.
For Disbursement report select option 1 and select the academic year. Your loan disbursement report will be sent to your line via SMS
Is HELB loan application on?
First Time Applications: HELB has budgeted to fund 72,000 applicants including those in medical training institutions. … The Afya Elimu Fund [AEF] loan for KMTC trainees is open until 31st August 2020 for both continuing students and first time applicants. All HELB loan applications are accessible on www.helb.co.ke.
Is helb portal still open?
The Higher Education Loans Board, HELB, has opened the online portal for the Undergraduate Subsequent Online Application for FY 2019/2020. The Application Deadline is 31st March, 2019
How do I contact helb?
The postal address of Higher Education Loans Board office in Nairobi is P.O. Box 69489-00400, Nairobi. The telephone conctacts of HELB offices are +254 711 052000 and 254 20 2278000. The email addresses of Higher Education Loans Board offices are ceo@helb.co.ke or complaints@helb.co.ke or lending@helb.co.ke.
Who qualifies for HELB loan?
Loan repayment is required after completion of undergraduate studies. HELB first time applicant needs to apply through helb student portal. Continuing Education Students (CES)- employed students who want to enhance their academic qualifications by obtaining a degree. Loan interest is 12%p.a.
Does helb give loans to diploma students?
Helb will give loans to a record 30,000 students pursuing various diploma programmes in middle-level colleges. … This means the agency will take in an additional 10,000 TVET students this year. TVET first time and subsequent loan and bursary online applications opened on August 22, and will go on until October 31.
What is the interest rate for HELB loan?
The current interest rate for HELB loans is 4% per annum. The due for repayment of this loan begins upon completion of studies of the student or when HELB recalls it.
What is the applicable interest rate on an undergraduate HELB loan?
You should apply for HELB loan only if you are in need of the funds. 6. What is the applicable interest rate and when does it start to accrue? The interest is currently 4% per annum for direct entry students and 12% for all salaried applicants
How do I start paying my HELB loan?
Using M-PESA (Safaricom) Money Transfer:
Select pay bill option.
Enter HELB business number as 200800.
Enter your national ID number as your account number.
Employed students pursuing the following higher diploma courses are eligible for the product:
Kenya Registered Critical Care Nursing. (KRCCN)
Kenya Registered Perioperative Nursing. (KRPON)
Kenya Registered Nephrology Nursing. (KRNN)
Kenya Registered Midwife. (KRM)
Terms and Conditions
Allocation amount is determined by the funding institution subject to applicant’s ability to repay.
Loan repayments commence one month after disbursement.
Kshs.500.00 Administrative fee.
7% interest rate.
Requirements
Applicants should visit the HELB website www.helb.co.ke to access the HELB Students’
Portal to register, create and activate account. (ensure you use your personal mobile number)
Log in, and click Loan Application Tab, on the left dashboard.
From the view window, select Catherine Mcauley Nursing School Loan Application.
Read and agree on the Consent for the Collection and Processing of Personal Data.
Access and fill the loan application form online.
Print TWO copies of the duly filled Loan Application Form.
Present one copy of the duly filled Loan Application Form and all the attached support documents HELB Offices select Huduma Centres or Mater Hospital offices.
Retain a copy of the duly filled and signed Loan Application Form. [This is
mandatory]
The Higher Education Loans Board, Helb, advances a number of loan products to students in tertiary institutions. Helb provides the following loan products to all students: Undergraduate Loan, Tvet Loan / Bursary First Time For Tertiary Institutions, Post Graduate Scholarship Application and Afya Elimu Loan. The following are loan products for the employed individuals: Civil Servant Training Revolving Fund, Post Graduate Scholarship Application, Kra Staff Training Revolving Fund and JIELIMISHE LOAN(Salaried Students): PgD,HND,Bachelors, Masters, PhD & Professional Courses.
UNDERGRADUATE LOANS
These loans are for students joining public or private universities within the East African Community directly from high school either through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) or as self-sponsored. Amounts awarded range between Kshs.40,000 minimum and Kshs.60,000 maximum based on the level of need. The loan attracts interest of 4% p.a and the students are required to repay their loans on completion of their studies. Students are advised to apply at least one month before the opening date to allow ample time for processing.
Type of Loan Application
There are two types of undergraduate loan applications:
First Time Application-This is for applicants who are applying for the first time.
Second & Subsequent Application-This is for applicants who are applying for a second, third, fourth time as per the program duration
The number of loans one is eligible for depends on the program duration i.e. one is given loan 4 times for a 4 year program.
Management of HELB Loans
Students are advised that the loans should be used mainly for:
Tuition,
Books and stationery,
Accommodation and subsistence.
Students are advised to desist from diverting the funds to leisure or other family obligations.
Loan Award
The loan awarded ranges from a minimum of Ksh.40, 000 and a maximum of Ksh.60, 000. For those placed by Kenya University and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), the loan amount is split to cater for both Tuition fee and Upkeep while the Self sponsored students, the money is sent directly to the university once a year as tuition fees. A standard amount of Ksh4, 000 for Government sponsored students only is deducted from the loan awarded and disbursed to the university per semester for tuition [total Ksh8, 000] and the rest is sent to the applicant’s bank account as upkeep. An Administrative Fee of Ksh500 per year is charged on the loan awarded and it is therefore deducted from the disbursed loan. A limited number of needy government sponsored students receive bursary of between Ksh4, 000 and Ksh8, 000 per year. The Bursary is paid to the university.
Requirements
A copy of the Applicant’s national ID Card
Copies of the parents national ID Cards/death certificate where the parent is deceased
Copies of both guarantors’ national ID Card
A copy of the applicant’s admission letter and KCSE result slip/certificate
A copy of the applicant’s Bank ATM/Bank card (for Government sponsored students only)
A copy of the applicant’s Smart Card from the institution
One recent colored passport size photograph of the applicant.
Repaying your Student Loan
Undergraduate loan repayment starts within one year of completion of studies or within such a period as the Board decides to recall the loan whichever is earlier. However, you can make voluntary payments before or after you complete your studies to reduce your loan balance.
Note:
Loans are charged 4% interest per annum
Loan repayment commences one year upon completion of studies or as deemed fit by HELB.
The loan is repayable up to a maximum of 120 months.
The First Time Loan Application is divided into the following categories.
INFORMATION ON PROFILE
This comprises of two sub categories as elaborated below.Please fill each section before proceeding to the next item. a) Applicant:- Personal Details In this section, an applicant is required to fill out their personal information. Items such as Sub-location,Division,location etc should reflect information as per your National Identification Card. b) Applicant:- Residence Details In this section, an applicant is required to fill out there current place of residence information. Items such as Sub-location,Division,location etc should reflect your current place of residence and not as indicated in your ID Card.
INSTITUTION DETAILS
This comprises of three sub categories as elaborated below.Please fill each section before proceeding to the next item. a) Applicant :- Institution Details In this section, an applicant is required to fill out their Institution details. b) Applicant :- Loan Information. Here you are required any information on your loan or bursary.
EDUCATION BACKGROUND DETAILS
This comprises of one category as elaborated below.Please fill each section before proceeding to the next item. a) Applicant :- Education Background Details In this section, an applicant is required to fill out their education background details.Primary and Secondary School Details are compulsary.Failure to include this will lead to automatic disqualification
EXPENSE DETAILS
This comprises of two categories as elaborated below.Please fill each section before proceeding to the next item. a) Applicant :- Family Expenses In this section, an applicant is required to fill out the family’s expenses.
GUARANTOR DETAILS
This comprises of one section as elaborated below.Please fill each section before proceeding to the next item. a) Applicant :- Guarantor’s Details In this section, an applicant is required to fill out the guarantor’s details.It is compulsory to fill in two guarantors failure to do this will lead to automatic disqualification
PARENTS DETAILS
This comprises of three category as elaborated below.Please fill each section before proceeding to the next item. a) Applicant :- Parents Marital Status In this section, an applicant is required to fill out their parent’s marital status. b) Applicant :- Parents Details In this section, an applicant is required to fill out various details about their parent’s eg.employment. c) Applicant :- Guardian’s Details If the applicant is orphaned he/she will be required to fill in the gurantors’ details.
BANK DETAILS
This comprises of one section as elaborated below.Please fill each section before proceeding to the next item. a) Applicant :- Bank Details In this section, an applicant is required to fill out the bank’s details. To get started off click on this link; https://portal.helb.co.ke/
TVET HELB LOANS
Students pursuing Diploma and Certificate courses in Public universities, university colleges, public national polytechnics and Institutes of Technology and Technical Training institutes country-wide are eligible for this loan and bursary. Orphans, single parent students and others who come from poor backgrounds will be given priority for the loans and or bursaries. The application period is January to April every year.
Required Documents
Applications should access and fill the relevant TVET Loan & Bursary Application Form (TLAF).
Print TWO copies of the duly filled Loan Application Form.
Have the TVET Loan Application Form signed and stamped by the Dean of Students/Financial Aid Officers.
Retain one copy of the duly filled TLAF (Mandatory).
Drop the TLAF personally at the HELB students Service Centre on the Mezannine One, Anniversary Towers or any of the SELECT Huduma Centers nearest to you.
Click HERE to download approved TVET institutions funded by HELB as at March 2019.
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