The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has opened loan applications for students placed in universities and colleges by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) for the 2026/2027 academic year.
The applications, processed through the Higher Education Financing (HEF) Student Portal, allow eligible first-year students to apply for a government scholarship, a HELB loan, or both after receiving their admission letters.
The opening of the funding portal follows KUCCPS’s release of the 2026 university and college placement results, paving the way for successful applicants to secure financial support before reporting to their respective institutions.
Who Can Apply for HELB?
The application targets first-time applicants joining universities and TVET institutions under the government-funded placement programme.
According to the Higher Education Financing framework, students are required to complete their funding applications online through the Student Portal after receiving admission letters from their institutions.
Also Read: KUCCPS Explains Why 51,835 Students With C+ and Above Did Not Apply for University Placement
Requirements for Undergraduate and TVET HELB Applications
Students applying for HELB funding for the first time will be required to provide several personal, academic and financial documents during the application process.
- A valid email address and active mobile phone number.
- KCPE and KCSE index numbers, including the year of examination.
- A recent passport-size photograph in JPEG, JPG or PNG format.
- A copy of the applicant’s National ID or Maisha Card (both sides) in PDF format.
- Valid bank account details or an active M-Pesa number registered under the applicant’s name and National ID.
- Parents’ National ID numbers and registered mobile phone numbers.
- A copy of a parent’s death certificate in PDF format, where applicable.
- A copy of the applicant’s birth certificate in PDF format for applicants who are minors.
- National ID numbers and registered mobile phone numbers of two guarantors, who may include the applicant’s parents.
- A copy of a secondary school sponsorship letter in PDF format, where applicable.
Having these documents ready helps ensure a smooth application process and minimizes delays.
Also Read: Govt Opens HELB Loan Applications for First Time Applicants
How to Apply for a HELB Loan as a First-Time Applicant
Funding Depends on Programme Duration
The amount of funding a student receives depends on the duration of the programme they are pursuing.
For example, students enrolled in four-year degree programmes are eligible for funding throughout the four academic years, while those undertaking five-year courses can receive funding for five academic years, subject to meeting the applicable requirements.
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