HELB loans disbursement, amount awarded, application procedure and requirements: Full details

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The Higher Education Loans Board, Helb, advances loans to students in Higher Learning institutions. These loans are given on yearly basis both to regular and self sponsored students. Regular students are placed by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service, Kuccps.

UNDERGRADUATE LOAN (DIRECT ENTRY STUDENTS)

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 and 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.

Application guide

Here are links to the most important news portals:

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.

Apply Now

Submission of Under Graduate  Loan Application Forms

Other HELB Products

You can also apply other types of loans from Helb. Click on the links below for further guidelines.

56 thoughts on “HELB loans disbursement, amount awarded, application procedure and requirements: Full details”

  3. I am Fredrick Odhiambo, i applied for the loan in October but haven’t received any notification.

    Reply

    • Hellow,, kindly,when I need to access my helb status they tells me the email doesn’t exist please what might be wrong

      Reply

  21. Please when is my disbursement I applied last year October but loan status is verified Please help me as first as possible I have problems with my fee

    Reply

  23. I’m Nkatha Glory Nkirote,my loan status has remained at verified status for the last two months.My mother is a single parent and am unable to complete my fee balance.Please help me

    Reply

  25. I have applied yet I have not gotten any message from account,,what might be the problem,,its my first time and not even a coin has been issued to me

    Reply

  37. Help me to know the problem if I try to login to the helb portal am told first name mismatch,,,,, what could have brought this???

    Reply

  43. Hello here am Ruth makasi mwathi, i applied helb loan on 28th Aug 2022.. the loan status hasn’t yet changed kindly help me know the problem.

    Reply

  45. Bramuel lwangu khayimba
    I have applied my Helb loan and as i check my status it is not responding please help me.It is still on a registration stage.

    Reply

  59. Hello,, I applied for helb August 2022 but still cannot access my helb account and also can’t receive helb yet my colleagues have been receiving. Am suffering.

    Reply

  61. Am Elias Omusugu since 29 September my loan status reflects verified up to date what’s the problem please work on my document

    Reply

  63. Please am Andrew ewoi ekuyan i applied my loan last year 2022 November but since am waiting Disparsement please

    Reply

  73. Hey please when I try to log in to the portal….wanasema aty deactivated…why this and what maybe the solution

    Reply

  75. I haven’t received any funding so far though I applied as a first applicant when I was in second year .am now in third year.i applied for subsequent and not yet received a bqtch number.please I need your help 🙏

    Reply

  81. I have single mother with no employed so i suffer on how I can pay school fees. Please assist me to get that money it remains at allocated stage

    Reply

  87. Hello , am Cidine,
    When I view my loan status, it usually tells me that it is verified since November 2021 up to now,,so where might be the problem ,, I applied last year October

    Reply

    • My status is in verified stage for the last three months what will I do? I am also experiencing the same problem what about we visit huduma center

      Reply

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