The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has clarified that students who missed loan funding during their first year may not receive the funds after completing their studies.
The clarification followed a question from a student, Cation, on X on September 4, who asked whether they could still access HELB funding after missing it in their first year without deferring their studies.
Cation said they completed their studies after receiving HELB funding for three of the four years covered by the agreed terms and conditions.
“If you missed 1st year HELB, canceled, and you didn’t defer, and you have completed the studies, can you still get HELB since the terms and conditions you agreed to were 4 years and you have received 3 years?” he asked.
Responding to the inquiry, HELB said its funds are intended to finance students’ education during their approved period of study.
“Hi. The funds are meant to finance your education during your approved period of study. Therefore, funding after completion of studies may not be applicable,” HELB said.
HELB on Deferring Your Studies
Students seeking to defer their studies must first complete the deferment process through their university or TVET institution before notifying the relevant higher education funding agencies.
The process typically involves writing a formal deferment request to the institution, stating the reasons for the decision and obtaining approval from the relevant academic authorities.
Once the deferment is approved, students should notify HELB or update the Higher Education Financing (HEF) system to ensure their funding status reflects the period they will be away from school.
Students may also be required to request the suspension or adjustment of tuition and upkeep disbursements for the deferred period. This helps prevent funds from being released when the student is not undertaking their studies.
When students resume their studies, they should ensure their institution updates their status and completes any required subsequent funding application to resume HELB support.
Also Read: Govt Extends HELB Application Deadline, Makes U-turn on New University Funding Model
How to Restore Loan Status to Active After Deferment
- Resume studies: Report back to your university or TVET institution and officially resume your programme.
- Update academic status: Ask the institution to update your status to show that you have resumed studies and notify the relevant funding authorities.
- Provide resumption documents: Where required, submit your resumption or re-admission confirmation to support the change in your funding status.
Also Read: HELB Begins Sending Upkeep Funds to Students: How to Check
- Submit a subsequent application: Log into the HEF Portal and complete the required subsequent loan application for the period in which you have resumed studies.
- Check your loan status: Monitor your HEF or HELB account to confirm that the loan status has changed from deferred or inactive to active.
- Follow up with HELB: If the status remains inactive despite your institution confirming your resumption, contact HELB and provide the necessary details and documentation for the record to be reviewed.
- Funding resumes subject to approval: An active status does not by itself guarantee immediate disbursement. Further funding remains subject to the applicable HELB requirements and approval.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
