The HEF portal is now open for scholarship application! For the new first-time applicants, please apply by visiting hef.co.ke, and for the second-time applicants, please use the HELB USSD code which is *642# to apply for the scholarship. The moment you create an account on the HEF portal, an activation link will be sent to your registered email. Please note that the link may go to your Spam / Junk.
Who qualifies for HEF funding
To apply for financial assistance through the HEF portal, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be Kenyan citizens.
- Possess a valid National ID number.
- Have their own mobile money account (MTN/Airtel).
- Be government-sponsored students placed by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) in universities, colleges, or TVET institutions for the current academic year.
HEF Application Requirements
When applying, prepare the following documents and information:
- Valid email address.
- Registered phone number (must be in your name).
- KCPE and KCSE certificate/diploma index numbers and year of completion.
- Passport-sized photo.
- Copy of National ID (for loan applications).
- Admission letter from your college/university.
- Parents’ registered phone number and National ID number.
- Death certificate (if applicable, for deceased parents).
- Birth certificate.
- Guarantors’ ID numbers and registered phone numbers (two, can be parents, required for loan applications).
- Copy of sponsorship letter (if sponsored in secondary school).
How to Apply
- Visit the HEF Portal: Go to the official Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) website: https://www.helb.co.ke/ and navigate to the HEF portal section.
- Register and Create an Account: Sign up and create an account on the HEF portal.
- Complete the Application Form: Fill out the application form accurately and comprehensively, including personal details, academic history, financial background, and upload any required documents.
- Submit Your Application: Review everything thoroughly for accuracy and completeness before submitting your application.
- Monitor Application Status: Track the progress of your application through the HEF portal and await communication regarding the outcome.
Accessing and Managing Your HEF Account
- Explore the HELB Website: Visit the Higher Education Loans Board website: https://www.helb.co.ke/
- Navigate to Portals: Locate the portals section on the HELB website.
- Register for an Account (New Users): If you’re a first-time user, click on the registration or sign-up option and follow the prompts to create your account.
- Activate Your Account: Follow the instructions provided to activate your HEF account using the activation code sent to your email.
Logging In and Managing Your HEF Account
- Access the HEF Portal: Go to the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) website.
- Enter Your Login Credentials: Provide your registered email address and password to log in to your HEF student portal account.
- Access Your Account: Once logged in, navigate through the portal to access various features and manage your financial aid.
Password Recovery:
If you forget your password:
- Access the HELB Sign-In Page: Visit the HELB sign-in page on the website.
- Select “Forgot Password”: Click on the “Forgot Password” option.
- Enter Your Email Address: Provide the email address associated with your HEF portal account.
- Reset Your Password: Follow the instructions provided in the email sent to you to reset your password.
How to apply for Higher Education Financing (HEF)?
- Visit our website or hef.co.ke to access the Student Portal and click on “register” to create an account.
- Enter your National Identification number or KCSE Index number (for a minor).
- Enter a valid email address and password and click “register”.
- You have successfully created an account. Check your email (Inbox or Spam/ Junk) to activate your account and log in after email activation.
- Enter a valid Telephone number where a verification code will be sent. If the verification code expires, click resend button to get a new verification code.
- Fill your profile & update your Biodata.
- Give consent to collection of your personal data.
- NOTE: Read through the consent form to understand why we are collecting your personal data then tick the checkbox to agree with terms of use.
- Fill in your personal details then save to continue.
- When all details are complete, submit your scholarship/loan request.
- Consent to processing of your data by Accepting the loan terms and conditions.
- Update your guarantor details.
- Provide loan payment information as per the fields provided (Bank or mobile payment)
- Submit your loan application.
Requirements for the Higher Education Financing (HEF) application
- A valid email address for the applicant (Student)
- Valid telephone number (must be registered in your name to apply for a loan)
- KCPE and KCSE index numbers and year of examination
- Passport size photo
- Copy of your National ID (for loan application)
- College/University admission letter
- Your parents’ registered telephone number
- Your parents’ national ID number
- Death certificate if any of your parent is deceased.
- Your birth certificate.
- Two guarantors’ (Can be your parents) ID numbers and registered telephone numbers (for loan application)
- Copy of the sponsorship letter if you were sponsored in Secondary school.
