The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) is an online platform that allows students in Kenya to apply for loans, access their loan information, and manage their loan repayments.
HELB aims to offer a much-needed financial support to the hundreds of thousands of Kenyan students who want to pursue higher education.
HELB eligibility
To be able to access HELB loans, a student must be a Kenyan citizen with a valid national identification card (ID).
The student must also be admitted to a recognized university, college, or TVET institution in Kenya and be undertaking a program accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) or relevant authority.
HELB is accessible to students pursuing a degree, diploma, or certificate course, and the students should not be receiving any other government-sponsored financial aid.
Priority is given to students from needy backgrounds, including orphans, single-parent families, and those facing financial hardship.
To support your eligibility, you’ll need:
- National ID
- Admission letter
- KCSE certificate or result slip
- Passport-size photo
- Bank account details
- Parents’/guardians’ ID copies (or death certificate if deceased)
- Guarantors’ ID copies (2 non-relatives)
- Institution smart card or student ID
- Sponsorship letter (if sponsored in secondary school)
- KRA Pin
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Step-by-Step Application Process
First-Time Undergraduates
First-time undergraduates should follow the following steps to successfully apply for HELB loans:
- Visit hef.co.ke
- Click on Student Portal and then Register
- Use your National ID or KCSE Index Number (if you don’t have an ID)
- Provide a valid email address, phone number, and KRA PIN
- Activate your account via email and verify your phone number
- Log in and complete your biodata
- Give consent for HELB to collect and process your personal data
- Fill in personal, academic, and financial details
- Select Loan Type: Choose the correct loan form:
- Undergraduate Loan (First-time or Subsequent)
- TVET Loan
- Postgraduate Loan
- Salaried Employees Loan
- Upload Required Documents
- Double-check all entries, accept the loan terms and conditions, and submit your application online
- Print two copies of the completed Loan Application Form (LAF) and get signatures from your parent/guardian, religious leader, or chief
- Submit one copy to HELB offices, Huduma Centre, or via registered mail
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Continuing students
You qualify as a continuing student (also referred to as a subsequent applicant) if you’ve previously been awarded and received a HELB loan.
HELB Mobile App
This is the most user-friendly and fully digital method.
- Register or log in, entering your National ID, phone number, and email.
- Complete the mandatory financial literacy section and meet the required score to proceed.
- Tap on “Apply Subsequent Products”, then choose “Loan Application,” and submit. A confirmation message will appear on-screen.
- If you’re not a Safaricom subscriber, you may be prompted to download and complete a printable form for offline submission.
*USSD Code: Dial 642#
The USSD Code option is a quick option for feature-phone users or when there is limited internet access:
- Dial *642# on your phone.
- Select “Login” (or “Register” if it’s your first time using this method).
- Enter your PIN, choose “Loan”, and specify your application level and academic year.
- Once submitted, you’ll receive a confirmation SMS.
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