Undergraduate loans- Helb opens portal for 2025/26 students’ first time loan applications; Requirements and application procedure

The Higher Educaion Loans Board, HELB, has opened its online portal for first time applications from the first year undergraduate students. The applications are open for First Time Undergraduate, Kenyan, students admitted into Government of Kenya- Sponsored or Self-Sponsored Programs in Public or Private Universities in Kenya and the East African Community.

The universities must be those recognized by the Commission for University Education [CUE].

Eligible students

To qualify for the HELB loans, the student must:

1). Have been placed by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Placement Service [KUCCPS] in the local and private universities
2). Self-Sponsored,/Parallel and Module II Students studying for a Bachelor’s Degree only.

Please note that; Truthful applications are approved for loan disbursement. While filling out your info, tell the truth always. All applicants who were barred from accessing the previous second and subsequent form due to incorrect family income details have been given a second chance by HELB. The applicants can now apply by filling in the Special application form. They have up to the 31st of May to provide correct details.; Pre-University, Certificate, Diploma or Postgraduate students are not eligible and thus cannot apply for the loan. Also, those Negatively listed, if you are in default, will have lower chances of getting the loans as this lowers their credit score thus limiting their access to credit facilities.

How to Apply:

1). Applicants should visit the official HELB website; www.helb.co.ke to access the Student Portal and click on “create an account” to register.
2). Log in and select the Undergraduate First Time Loan Application Form, LAF.
3). Read the literature or view the videos on Financial Literacy and participate in the brief exercise online
4). Access and fill the loan application form.
5). Print TWO copies of the duly filled Loan Application Form.
6). Have the forms appropriately filled, signed and stamped by the relevant authorities.
7). Read, understand and sign to accept the Loan Terms and Conditions.
8). Present one copy of the duly filled Loan Application Form and all the attached support documents at:

a). Any of the following Huduma centers nearest to you: Nairobi-GPO, Machakos, Mombasa, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisumu, Kakamega, Kisii, Nyeri, Embu, Kitui, Bungoma, Lodwar, Meru, Thika, Kitale, Kericho, Nandi, Muranga, Garissa, Narok, Migori, Chuka, Kilifi and Taita Taveta for free and secure delivery. Or
b). Drop the application form and supportive documents at the HELB Student Service Centre on Mezzanine 1, Anniversary Towers, University Way, Nairobi
9). Retain a copy of the Loan Application Form [This is mandatory]

Please ensure that you read, understand and follow the instructions provided at the beginning of the online loan application process including reading and undertaking the HELB Financial Literacy Programme.

According to HELB, ‘Truthful applications are approved for loan disbursement’. While filling out your info, tell the truth always.

Second Chance.

All applicants who were barred from accessing the 2021/2022 second and subsequent form due to incorrect family income details have been given a second chance by HELB. The applicants can now apply by filling in the Special application form.