The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) CEO Agnes Wahome has confirmed that students placed in universities and colleges will begin applying for Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans and government scholarships after receiving their admission letters later this year.
Speaking during a webinar on the ongoing placement process, KUCCPS CEO Agnes Wahome said students who have already received messages confirming they secured one of their course choices should wait for another official communication specifying where they have been placed.
HELB and Scholarship Applications for 2026 University Students to Open in July
According to Wahome, the detailed placement messages are expected to be sent out by July after the placement process, validation, and approvals by the Ministry of Education are completed.
“Once we finish the process, you will now get another message by July telling you exactly where you have been placed,” she said.
She explained that students will then be able to log in to their respective university portals within two days to download their admission letters.
“Once you get the admission letter, you will now log into another system for higher education funding, which will allow you to apply for a scholarship, a loan, or both,” Wahome added.
The KUCCPS CEO noted that the funding application process will require students to provide household and personal details that will determine how much support they qualify for under the government’s funding model.
She urged applicants to provide accurate information and ensure all required sections are filled correctly.
“Your details are the ones that determine how much you will be eligible for, how much the government will give you as a scholarship, and how much you will get as a loan,” she said.
Wahome clarified that the management of scholarships and loans will be handled by the Higher Education Loans Board and the relevant higher education funding agencies after placement is complete.
Also Read: KUCCPS Explains Why Grade A Students Missed Medicine in University Placements
How to Apply for HELB Loan as a First-Time Applicant
The amount of loan a student is eligible for depends on the programme duration.
For instance, students pursuing a four-year course are awarded loans four times, while those in five-year programmes receive funding five times.
First-time applicants are required to visit the official HELB portal via the website or hef.co.ke to access the Student Portal and begin the registration process.
Applicants should click on “Register” to create an account. They will then be required to confirm whether they have a National ID and enter the ID number.
Those without an ID can use their KCSE index number.
Enter a valid email address and a password and click “Register” to complete account creation. Applicants will then receive an email containing an activation link, which may be found in the inbox or spam/junk folder.
After activating the account, log in and enter a valid telephone number to receive a verification code. If the code expires, applicants can request a new one using the resend option.
Once logged in, applicants are required to complete their profiles and update their biodata.
They must also give consent for the collection and processing of personal data after reading and understanding the terms and conditions.
Applicants are then required to complete personal information fields and save the details before proceeding.
After ensuring all required information is correctly filled out, students can submit their scholarship or loan request.
They must also accept the loan terms and conditions before proceeding.
The next step involves updating guarantor details, followed by providing loan payment information, including bank or mobile payment options.
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How to Apply for University Scholarship
Applicants are required to visit www.hef.co.ke, www.universitiesfund.go.ke, or www.helb.co.ke and click on the “Student Portal” to begin the application.
You must first confirm whether you have a National ID.
If you have a National ID, enter the ID number. Those without an ID can use their KCSE index number to proceed.
Next, enter a valid email address and password to create an account.
A confirmation email is then sent to activate the account. Proceed to check both the inbox and the spam or junk folders and activate the account before logging in.
After activation, log in and enter a valid telephone number where a verification code will be sent. If the code expires, request a new one.
Once logged in, fill in the profile and update biodata.
In addition, give consent for the collection and processing of personal data before proceeding.
You will then be required to enter your residential details and save the information.
Add details of your primary and secondary schools, followed by your university or college details.
Applicants are required to fill in their parents’ details before proceeding to the final stage.
At this point, accept the loan terms and conditions, consent to data processing, and update guarantor details.
You are also required to provide loan payment information, either via bank transfer or mobile money.
Once all details are completed, applicants can submit their scholarship and loan application for processing.
