The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has issued a clarification on the first-time application guidelines shared online with a July 10, 2024, deadline.
In a post via their official X account on Tuesday July 9, HELB attached a poster with a FAKE stamp on it to inform the public that the information is fake.
The loans Board warned that the statement had not been published by its officials and that the copy making rounds on various social media platforms was false.
“All HELB communication is done through official pages – Facebook and X and contacts listed. You have adequate time to apply for the scholarship & HELB loan but early is better. Stay alert, stay awoke,” noted HELB while flagging the poster.
The flagged notice purported to be a press release from the loans board directed to first-time HELB applicants.
It provided seven guidelines for applicants, warning that failure to comply with all applicable rules would result in an automatic decline of their application and disqualification from receiving any government funding.
How to Detect Fake Posts
Detecting fake publications and notices involves establishing the source of the information.
In an era rampant with misinformation, especially online, it is crucial to consider the origin of the information being consumed.
Verify if the content is from an official website or a social media platform linked to a credible entity.
Many fake publications often include grammatical errors and other mistakes that genuine government officials are unlikely to make.
These errors can serve as red flags indicating potential falsehoods.
Also Read: Mistakes Students Should Avoid When Applying for HELB Loan for the First Time
The Fake Post Flagged by HELB
The post mandated that applicants who selected “single parent” under their parent’s marital status must download a single parenthood self-declaration form and have it stamped by a magistrate or a commissioner of oaths/advocate.
It also required any applicant who indicated that one or both parents were deceased to upload the parents’ death certificates along with their own birth certificate.
Furthermore, it directed that individuals without an identity card who wished to apply for a loan must open a junior bank account at one of the designated banks.
The post explicitly warned against using a parent’s or relative’s account number to prevent access to funds intended for upkeep.
Also Read: How to Apply for HELB Loan Without National ID Card
In addition, the post stated that providing incorrect information, such as parental income or employment status, would be treated as a crime.
The statement also advised applicants to apply for government funding promptly to determine the required payment amount upon joining their institution.
“Anyone who did their transfer using other methods apart from the KUCCPS inter-institution transfer will not be funded. However, you can apply for funding using your previously placed course and later appeal using the course change option, available on the applications porta,” reads part of the flagged post.
“Ensure you only upload scanned and clear documents, including a passport photo in the mentioned dimensions/ formats. Do not upload documents that have some parts omitted or erased.”
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