What is HELB?
The Higher Education Loans Board’s mission is to provide financial support to Kenyan students attending local and international higher education institutions. The organisation offers loans, bursaries, and scholarships for studying at authorised public and private universities and colleges in Kenya and other countries.
Who is eligible to apply for HELB loans?
Students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Am I eligible for a HELB loan in the 2nd year of my study if I did not apply in 1st year?
Sure, you are. However, a first-time applicant must submit an application during the window for first-time submissions.
What are the requirements for applying for a HELB loan?
1). A copy of the applicant’s National ID card.
2). Copies of the parents’ national identification cards or, if a parent is deceased, a death certificate
Copies of the national ID cards for both guarantors
3). A copy of the admission letter and KCSE result slip/certificate of the applicant
4). A copy of the applicant’s bank or ATM cards (for government-sponsored students only)
5). A copy of the institution’s Smart Card for the applicant
6). One recent colour photo (passport size) of the applicant.
How can I apply for a loan from HELB?
For a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a HELB loan as a first-time applicant, read here.
How can I access the HELB student portal?
Visit https://www.helb.co.ke/ to register on the HELB Portal. Once you are logged in, navigate to the student portal. You can apply for your loan, access the self-service, print your compliance certificate, and also check the status of your loan.
How much does it cost to do the application?
Making a HELB loan application is free of charge. But for M-Pesa to verify your mobile number, you will be charged Ksh1. The funds will be deposited into your loan repayment account.
How much loan can I get?
Depending on the institution, a government-sponsored student may pay up to Ksh50,000/- each year to train at a public institution in compliance with the current Cost Sharing Policy.
A maximum loan amount of Ksh50,000 and a bursary of Ksh8,000 may be awarded out of this amount by HELB. If you are self-sponsored, commonly known as “parallel programmes” HELB doesn’t currently offer financial assistance.
What if I do not have a smartphone, how can I apply?
You can start your application procedure by simply dialling *642#.
When can I apply for HELB?
HELB advertises in the print media, requesting loan applications. Applications are often received in the fourth quarter of the year.
The Board adheres to a deadline, and applications received after that date without cause are not processed.
How do I know that my loan application was successful?
You will get a notification confirming that your application was successful once you have finished the application procedure.
If I was awarded a loan but it’s not enough, can I request additional funds?
Yes, if you genuinely need more money, you can contest the amounts that have been given to you by filling out the loan review (appeal) form on the HELB website.
What is the applicable interest rate for HELB and when does it start to accrue?
Currently, all salaried candidates pay 12% interest each year, compared to 4% for direct entry students. As soon as the first disbursement is made, interest will begin to accrue.
What are the modes of HELB loan repayment?
M-PESA
Using M-PESA (Safaricom) Money Transfer:
Select the paybill option
Enter HELB business number as 200800
Enter your national ID number as your account number
Enter the amount you want to pay
Enter your secret PIN number
Confirm the transaction and send
Note: The transaction reflects in your statement immediately after the transaction.
Using M-PESA (Safaricom) Money Transfer for Employers
Upload the remittance schedule
Generate the E-Slip
Go to the M-PESA menu and click on Lipa na M-PESA, then Paybill
Enter 200800 as the business number
For the account details, enter the generated E-Slip number as the account number
Enter your PIN number
You will receive a confirmation message for payment
Bank Deposits
For bank deposits, all payments must be sent to the Higher Education Loans Board, and must be made by crossed check, bankers draft, direct transfer/standing order/EFT, or cash deposit to the HELB collection A/C in any of the following banks:
Can I clear my HELB loan in one instalment?
Yes, without any extra charges.
What will happen when I clear my HELB loan?
On clearing your loan, a clearance certificate will be issued to you.
What will happen if I made an overpayment of my loan?
The extra funds will be reimbursed by HELB.
How long does it take to get a HELB refund if I overpay?
Not more than one-month maximum.
What will happen if I default on my HELB loan?
HELB charges a Ksh5,000 penalty fee every month.
How do I check for my loan status?
You can check your loan progress in the following ways:
Login to the HELB website and input your ID number.
Send an email to [email protected] asking for your statement.
Contact HELB by phone on 0722052000.
Who qualifies for the various HELB loans?
The Higher Education Loans Board (Helb) provides prospective students and graduates with loans, scholarships, and bursaries for their education in Kenya.
1. Undergraduate Loan
These loans are for students pursuing their studies in Public or Chartered Private Universities within the East African Community, placed either through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), Self-sponsored, Parallel and Module II Students studying for a Bachelor’s Degree only.
Pre-University, Certificate, Diploma, or Postgraduate students are not eligible to apply for this loan. The loan attracts an interest of 4% and Ksh1,000/= ledger fee per year. Students are advised to apply for the loan at least one month before the opening date to allow ample time for processing.
Qualifications for the Undergraduate Loan
For you to qualify you should be;
- A recent beneficiary of the Undergraduate Loan
- You should have been placed by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Placement Service [KUCCPS] in the local public and private universities.
- Self-Sponsored, Parallel and Module II Students studying for a Bachelor’s degree only [Certificate, Diploma, Pre-University and Postgraduate students ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PRODUCT]
2. TVET Loan
Kenyan students pursuing Certificate, Diploma, and Higher National Diploma courses in select Public Universities, select University Colleges, Public National Polytechnics, and approved TVET Colleges under the Ministry of Education are eligible for this loan and bursary.
The loan attracts an interest rate of 4% and a ledger fee of Ksh1,000/= per year.
Qualifications for TVET Loan
- You should be enrolled in approved TVET courses and should also be applying for your first student loan.
3. Jielimishe Loan for Salaried Students
HELB offers Jielimishe Loan to employed students pursuing Professional Courses, Higher National Diploma, Bachelors, Postgraduate-Diploma, Masters or Ph.D. degrees in Kenya. The loans are awarded per year and paid directly to the approved institutions of higher learning.
Qualifications for Jielimishe Loan for Salaried Students
To qualify for this loan, you should be an employee in:
- The Civil service (Ministries, Counties, National Police Service, Kenya Defense Forces)
- Public Commissions e.g. Teachers Service Commission, JSC, PSC, CAJ, SRC, CRA, etc
- Parastatals e.g. KRA, NSSF, NHIF, NTSA, KWS, KFS, KPA etc
- Public Universities
- Selected Private companies (E-mail [email protected] to check whether your company is eligible)
4. Civil Servants Training Revolving Fund
This is a facility specifically for Civil Servants in National Government, County Governments, and National Police Service. This loan is offered in collaboration with The Ministry of Public Service.
The amount awarded is between Ksh30,000/= and Ksh500,000/= at a competitive low-interest rate of 4% per year, with a prolonged repayment period of up to 72 months (6 years) through check-off.
The courses covered include examinable short courses of at least three (3) months and Postgraduate studies (Masters and Ph.D.). The loan is used to finance Tuition, Library, Computer, and Research, and Examination fee.
Qualifications for Civil Servants Training Revolving Fund
To qualify for this loan, you should be a;
- Civil Servant in National Government, Parliamentary Service Commission, Judicial Service Commission, County Governments, and National Police Service pursuing Postgraduate studies
5. KRA Staff Training Revolving Fund
This loan product from HELB offers loans of up to Ksh500,000/= at a competitive interest rate of 4% per year.
Qualifications for KRA Staff Training Revolving Fund Loan
To qualify for this loan product, you should be;
- An employee at KRA pursuing Certificate, Diploma, Undergraduate or Postgraduate studies at KESRA or a recognized Kenyan university
6. HELB Postgraduate Scholarships
HELB awards partial scholarships to Kenyans pursuing postgraduate programs (Masters or Ph.D.) in local Public or Private Universities recognized by the Commission for University Education [CUE].
The value of the scholarship award is Ksh200,000/= and Ksh450,000/= for Masters and Ph.D. programs respectively, tenable for 2 years in respect of the Master’s Programme and 3 years for the Ph.D.
Qualifications for HELB Postgraduate Scholarships
To qualify for this postgraduate scholarship you should;
- Have a letter of Admission into a full or part-time Postgraduate university program.
- Have a minimum undergraduate qualification of Second-Class Honors, Upper Division.
- Be reporting for your first year of study
Note;
- Preference is given to applicants undertaking Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Innovation, and Fisheries [STEM IF] and those courses which will directly contribute to the “Big Four Agenda”
- If the applicant is a previous or current HELB loan beneficiary, the applicant MUST be repaying his/her loan or has cleared the loan.
