The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has introduced an incentive for borrowers who will pay off their outstanding balances in full between June and July 2025.
This campaign, dubbed “Be the Reason Someone Believes,” offers an 80% penalty waiver to encourage prompt and complete repayment of student loans.
In a notice on Tuesday, June 17, HELB said the initiative aims to stress the importance of loan repayments for future students.
HELB stressed that every repayment contributes to funding the education of the next generation of learners, ensuring the cycle of opportunity continues.
“HELB opened the door to your education. Now, your repayment can light the path for another dreamer,” the board stated in its announcement.
HELB Announcers 80% Penalty Waiver
The offer is available to all HELB borrowers who settle their full outstanding loan amount within the specified two-month period. The discount specifically applies to penalties that have accrued over time.
To take advantage of this waiver, borrowers can make payments using the following methods:
- USSD code *642#
- The HELB Mobile App
- Employer check-off (for salaried individuals)
- The HELB Portal at www.helb.co.ke
For additional assistance, HELB can be contacted at 0711 052 000 or via email at [email protected].
Walk-in services are available at 28 HELB desks and Huduma Centres nationwide, as well as at the main office located in Anniversary Towers, Nairobi.
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This announcement comes amid concerns regarding a huge outstanding loan amount of Ksh40 billion owed by defaulters who borrowed from 2024 and as far back as over two decades ago.
HELB Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Monari noted that some loans date back more than 20 years and collecting the repayments has become increasingly challenging.
Speaking in a media interview on Tuesday June 17, 2025, CEO Monari revealed that 51,594 students who graduated over 20 years ago owe Ksh8 billion, while 23,786 graduates from 17 to 12 years ago collectively owe Ksh6.6 billion.
He indicated that the primary challenge in collecting these loans stems from the high levels of informal employment in the private sector, making it difficult to trace defaulters.
About the Authority
HELB is a Kenyan government agency that provides financial assistance to students pursuing higher education.
It offers a variety of loan products, scholarships, and bursaries to help cover tuition fees and other educational expenses.
Also Read: HELB to Partner with Police in New Strategy to Track Loan Defaulters
HELB loans are available for undergraduate, postgraduate, and TVET students, featuring low interest rates and flexible repayment options.
After completing their studies, beneficiaries are required to repay their loans, and HELB provides various repayment plans to accommodate different financial situations.
Applications for loans and scholarships can be made online through the HELB portal.
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