The Higher Education Loans Board, HELB, student loans, bursaries, website and portals guide.
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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