Helb loan allocation and disbursement Guide.
HELB enhances equity in higher education by awarding loans and bursaries to needy Kenyan students. The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) awards loans to students in institutions of higher learning to fund their education i.e. those students’ joining University as JAB or Self-sponsored.
This loans are not automatic and have to be applied for. Amounts awarded range between 37,000 minimum and 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 time for processing and remittance.
The application period is January to July every year.
HELB PRODUCTS
- Loans – Repayable sum of money
- Bursaries – Non repayable/ monetary grant- There is no separate application for this bursary but qualification for it depends on the information provided on the HELB application form.
HELB therefore awards bursaries to the following:
- Extremely needy students who benefit from loans;
- Orphans;
- Students from single parent;
- Families and others who come from poor backgrounds will be given priority for the bursaries.
- 3. Scholarships – Financial aid
- Managed funds – External resources mobilized from partners e.g. County governments, constituencies, K.R.A, ABSA Bank & other institutions. HELB manages these funds.
PRODUCT CATEGORIES & ELIGIBILITY
| No. | Product Type | Eligibility | Maximum number of loans | Interest Rate |
| 1 | Undergraduate Loan | Student admitted for undergraduate courses in approved institutions of higher learning recognized by CUE. | Subject to approved course duration | 4% |
| 2 | TVET Loan | Students admitted for artisan, certificate and diploma courses in approved TVET institutions recognized by TVETA and other relevant regulatory bodies. | Subject to approved course duration | 4% |
| 3 | Jielimishe | Students admitted in recognized institutions of higher learning and approved terms and conditions | Once per year | 10% |
| 4 | Afya-Elimu Loan | Students admitted in pre-service certificate and diploma courses in approved MTCs recognized by relevant regulatory bodies | Subject to approved course duration | 4% |
| 5 | Partnership loan | Refer to the respective MoUs and Service Contracts | As per MoUs and Service Contracts | As per MoUs and Service Contracts |
UNDERGRADUATE & TVET REQUIREMENTS NEEDED TO APPLY FOR HELB LOAN
UNDERGRADUATE & TVET APPLICATION GUIDELINES
WHERE TO SUBMIT THE LOAN APPLICATION FORM
Additional Points to Note
- Tuition funds are disbursed directly to the School account
- Upkeep funds are disbursed directly to the Student’s personal account (Use your own account)
- Always ensure your Bank account number is active
- HELB sends SMS/Email notifications after each process i.e. form verification, loan allocation and loan disbursement
ALLOCATION & DISBURSEMENT BREAKDOWN
| Undergraduate Allocation Bands | Loan (Kshs) | Bursary (Kshs) | (Undergraduate) Installment | Tuition (Kshs) | Upkeep (Kshs) | |||
| Minimum | 37,000 | 4,000 | Semester 1 | 4,000 | 16,000 | |||
| Maximum | 60,000 | 8,000 | Semester 2 | 4,000 | 15,500 | |||
| PSSP | 39,500 | |||||||
| Undergraduate Allocation Bands | Loan (Kshs) | Bursary (Kshs) | (TVET) Installment | Tuition (Kshs) | Upkeep (Kshs) | |||
| Minimum | 37,000 | 4,000 | Semester 1 | 26,400 | 6,800 | |||
| Maximum | 60,000 | 8,000 | Semester 2 | 6,800 | ||||
NB: PSSP & Bursary funds are paid at the beginning of semester two in one installment Kshs.500 is retained as administrative fees, see T&Cs on the Loan Application Form (LAF)
CAUSES OF DELAYS IN LOAN PROCESSING
- If it lacks any of the required documents and signature as listed on the last page of the Loan Application Form (LAF)
- If the applicant provides untruthful information ‘#Tellthetruth’
NB: Always ensure that all details provided are accurate
Quick Details Checks before submitting the application
- Institution (University name, admission number, student category (government/self-sponsored)
- Bank name and Bank account number – use your personal account
- Education background –Correct KCSE number and KCSE year
- Parental details
My Helb application was verified 3 months ago and I have not received any message for allocation my id number is 49250352
I applied for the loan 2 months ago and I have not received any message concerning the application what could be the problem
My id no is 40250352
My name is Nicholas,I applied 3 month ago and I have not received any message about it where may be the problem
Have received the disbursement message how do i get my upkeep
My helb was allocated on 20 November but I don’t see disbursement Id 41733524
My name is Felix Onyango, my loan status reads verified. Till now not yet allocated what is the problem. ID no.40577379. Pleas help me so that I can pay fees.
My name is Sharon Kemunto Otuke and I applied on August this year but allocated 2months ago what could be the problem
Hello my loan application status is still under verification stage since November last year when I applied. What might be the problem. My ID is 41683055
My loan was disbursed is a month now I haven’t gotten my upkeep ,I chose the disbursement to be made via phone no. 0768852607 ,and again I can’t access my disbursement report I don’t know why?
My name is Samuel, I applied for my first time loan 3 months ago and the disbursement is on the process for 1 months now, I have not received my upkeep till now, what my be problem for that delay. My id 40294038
My loan has stucked on verrified stage please when is allocation be done…kindly check id no 40316059🙏🙏
Hi, My Name is Newton.I was allocated a helb loan for a week now but I haven’t received a message on disbursement. why is there this delay? my iD IS 40532806 And My Phone Number IS 0704268272
My name is Edward,,,my loan has been allocated,,I have waited for a month but I’ve not received any message for the loan,,,I don’t know what is the problem,,,,Id number 40434712,,, phone number 0792968866
My loan is still on the registered level and has existed for more than a month I would to know where is the problem
My help loan is steal at verified stage and no amount and batch number allocated what could be the reason.My I’d no is 41570082 and I used a phone number account .
My name is Faith Cherono am still at allocated stage for a long like two weeks. Mindly help
My helb portal is still in allocation stage since 20 th November please help me…
My ID is 41509542
My helb status is allocated since January what might be the problem
Hello,my name is linet wamuyu muriuki my helb is stack on verification stage help me..ID number 41697123
My name is John Mutie, I applied my loan 2 months ago and its still at VERIFIED STAGE,what would be the problem???My ID is 40463793
My helb application has been verified but have not received anything…Id no.40569353