Students awaiting Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) upkeep payments are seeking clarity on delays affecting funds already at the allocation stage.
The concerns come as some applicants report that their loan applications have been verified or allocated, but they are yet to receive their upkeep funds.
Others explained that their application had remained at the allocation stage for an extended period, while others sought confirmation of their upkeep batches.
Further, some applicants indicated that their universities have already completed the required confirmation process, but they have not yet received their upkeep funds.
“There is no confirmation from the Dean; you say disbursement has been in process for the last 3 weeks. Check loan status and provide batch number ID 40862456. Do not ignore me today, please,” Jacob Mangeli stated on October 2.
In addition, students questioned batches 7075, 7078, and 7080, seeking confirmation on whether their respective batches have been processed.
HELB Responds to Student Concerns
Responding to the concerns, HELB has indicated that the processing of student funding remains ongoing, with some accounts still in the queue as verification and other necessary procedures are completed.
“Good morning. It is an ongoing process. Please be patient as we complete the necessary verification. We will share the batch number once available. The process is underway. You can track its progress through the Students Portal as it advances,” HELB directed.
HELB confirmed that Semester 1 funding had entered the disbursement process, while other applications were being fast-tracked, with an SMS notification expected upon completion.
Also Read: Ruto Explains Why HELB and KUCCPS Are Being Collapsed into One Entity
Why Some Loan Statuses May Differ
According to HELB, students can have different loan statuses because applications move through different processing stages, including verification, allocation, and disbursement.
An application or verification status means the loan request is still being processed and undergoes vetting, during which the Board checks the information provided and identifies applications that meet the requirements.
An allocation status comes later in the process. HELB describes allocation as part of the loan cycle before the subsequent award and disbursement stages.
However, the funding board clarifies that the application has progressed to the allocation stage, but it should not automatically be interpreted as confirmation that the money has already been deposited.
During the disbursement stage, funds are released to the applicant and are ready for use.
Tuition is remitted directly to the learning institution, while upkeep is credited to the student’s bank account or mobile money account using the payment details provided during the application.
Also Read: HELB 2026 Allocations Out: How to Check Updated University Fee Statements
How to Track Your HELB Loan Status
Students waiting for upkeep payments can check the progress of their applications through the HELB Student Portal or using the *642# USSD service.
Applicants should visit the official HELB website, open the Student Portal, and log in using the email address and password registered to your account.
New users must first create an account using a valid email address and phone number; the phone number receives a verification code, and the email address activates the account.
Once logged in, open your loan information to view the current stage of your application.
HELB provides information on the loan application, allocation, and disbursement stages, allowing students to establish whether their funds have been allocated or have progressed to disbursement.
Students should also ensure their personal and payment details, including a telephone number registered in their name and a bank account or mobile money account, are correct.
For support, the board lists 0711 052 000 as its contact center number and [email protected] as its support email.
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