The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has extended the deadline for eligible students for the 2026/2027 academic year to September 21, 2026.
The extension follows a directive from the Ministry of Education allowing eligible students and trainees who did not submit their applications within the initial window opened on June 1, 2026.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba earlier announced that the Universities Fund and HELB had been directed to extend the application period for eligible applicants.
On August 31, 2026, the application window was closed. By that date, the government had received 789,422 funding applications from university students and TVET trainees.
According to the Ministry of Education, the extension was necessary after recognizing that some eligible students and trainees could not apply before the initial deadline for various reasons.
Students who have not completed their applications can therefore use the additional period to submit their funding requests before the September 21 deadline.
“Attention all continuing students! The HELB Subsequent Loan Application deadline has been extended to 21 September 2026! HELB statement dated September 7 read.
Also Read: HELB Loan Status from Application to Disbursement: What Every Stage Means
How to Apply for HELB Subsequent Loans
The HELB subsequent loan is intended for continuing students who have previously received HELB funding and require additional financial support for the next academic year.
Eligible students can submit their applications through the HELB Mobile App or by dialing *642# using their Safaricom line and selecting “Register.”
They should then enter their National ID Serial Number and National ID Number and create a 4-digit PIN to access HELB services.
After registration, the applicant should select “Home”, log in, and choose “Subsequent Application.”
The student should then select the appropriate loan product based on their level of study, choosing Degree – Undergraduate Students or Diploma – TVET Students.
Additionally, applicants should confirm their institution details, accept the terms and conditions, and select “Request Loan.”
The applicant will then be required to choose how they would like their upkeep payment made, either through Mobile Money or a Bank Account, before entering their 4-digit PIN to complete the application and wait for a confirmation message.
Also Read: HELB Disbursement Delay: Ogamba Clarifies New Funding and When Students Should Expect Money
Government on Student Funding
The government has also continued disbursing funding to students already enrolled in universities and TVET institutions.
According to the Ministry of Education, KSh22.12 billion had been disbursed in first-semester and term funding to continuing university students and TVET trainees.
The extension comes as the government continues to implement the Student-Centred Funding Model, under which financial assistance is determined according to students’ assessed levels of need.
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