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    Types of Loans, Bursaries and Scholarships Offered to Kenyan University Students by HELB

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

    The Higher Education Loans Board offers a wide range of loans, Bursaries and Scholarships to students pursuing university Education. The loans include:

    1. LOANS FOR DIRECT ENTRY STUDENTS (DES)

    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 35,000 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 ample time for processing.

    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.

    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.

    2. LOANS FOR SALARIED STUDENTS

    Alternative loans comprise of Postgraduate (Masters & PhD) and Undergraduate loans for salaried applicants loans. This category of loan was introduced in the year 2000/2001 (PG) and 2008/2009 (CE). It runs as a commercial window targeting students who are able to repay their loans while studying, thus allowing the Board to generate income from application fees and interest charged to build and maintain a sustainable revolving fund. The loans are evaluated and awarded on the basis of the loanees’ ability to pay while studying at an interest rate of 12% p.a and repayable in 48months.

    Awards (per year)

    PhD- Kshs: 60,000 – 200,000.00;
    Masters -Kshs: 60,000 – 200,000.00;
    CE -Kshs: 60,000 – 100,000.00;

    Minimum Requirements

    • Repaying or Repaid UG and previous PG loans if a beneficiary
    • Ability to pay while studying based on the one third rule of basic salary as per the Employment Act.
    • Meet all the requirements as indicated in the online form

    Loan Interest Rate and Repayment period

    12% per annum ; 48 months

    Required Documents

    1. Copy of letter of admission to the university
    2. Certified copy of last acquired certificate
    3. Certified copy of ID
    4. Certified copies of two salaried guarantors’ IDs
    5. Certified copy of PIN card
    6. Certified copy of PIN card
    7. Certified copies (by employer) of the latest three months pay slips
    8. Recent colored passport size photograph
    9. Letter of appointment (contracted applicants only)(1-5 should be certified by an advocate and 6-9 by employer)

    3. POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS

    HELB awards scholarships to postgraduate students pursuing their Masters or Doctoral studies. The award is based on academic merit. Applicants are required to pay a processing fee of kshs 3,000.

    4. VISA OSHWAL SCHOLARSHIPS

    Oshwal aid in association with Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) offers scholarships to direct entry university students. The scholarships will funds 20 students for the total tenure of study. For undergraduate degree programme. The fund supports needy entrants in local universities to a maximum of kshs 100,000 per annum. The application period is July to August every year.

    5. TRAINING REVOLVING FUND

    Training Revolving Fund

    6. AFYA ELIMU FUND LOANS

    The Afya Elimu Fund is a partnership product of the USAID funded Human Resources for Health (HRH) Kenya Mechanism implemented by IntraHealth International Inc., the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), Ministry of Health, the private sector and county governments. The Fund offers affordable loans to needy students pursuing pre-service medical training at mid-level (diploma and certificate level only).

    7. UNDERGRADUATE BURSARIES

    HELB awards bursaries to extremely needy undergraduate students who benefit from loans for direct entry. Orphans, students from single parent families and others who come from poor backgrounds will be given priority for the bursaries. There is no separate application for this bursary but qualification for it depends on the information provided on the direct entry form.

    8. TVET BURSARIES

    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

    1. Applications should access and fill the relevant TVET Loan & Bursary Application Form (TLAF).

    2. Print TWO copies of the duly filled Loan Application Form.

    3. Have the TVET Loan Application Form signed and stamped by the Dean of Students/Financial Aid Officers.

    4. Retain one copy of the duly filled TLAF (Mandatory).

    5. 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.

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