HELB Opens Loan and Scholarship Application for 2025/26 Students

The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has officially opened the loan and scholarship application portal for the 2025/26 students.

In a statement issued on July 2, 2025, the Loans Board announced that the application deadline is set for August 31, 2025.

“Big news alert! 2025/2026 Undergraduate & TVET Loans & Scholarships are now open.  Secure your future—apply early, study stress-free,” HELB announced.

Additionally, the loans board advised first-time applicants to apply through the HEF portal at https://portal.hef.co.ke/auth/signin, while subsequent applicants were directed to dial *642# or use the HELB App.

First Time Undergraduate Applicants – Universities & TVET Institutions

• Visit www.hef.co.ke, www.universitiesfund.go.ke, or www.helb.co.ke and click on the Student Portal.
• Click the User Registration tab, select Applicant Registration, specify if you have a National ID Number, then register using your valid email address and ID number or KCSE details if not yet issued with an ID. (Proceed to Login if you already registered or have a profile).
• A link will be sent to your email to activate the portal account. Check your Email inbox or spam to activate the link received from the HEF Portal.
• At the Log in box, key in your email and password.
• Once logged in, enter a valid Telephone number to which a verification code will be sent. Enter the code at the login page to proceed.
• Under ‘My profile’ – give details of your address and Consent to the collection of your data.
• Click on Update Profile to fill in the six (6) steps.
  1. Update your Biodata – attach the required documents, i.e. both sides of your ID card/birth certificate in PDF and passport in JPEG/PNG format.
  2. Fill in your residence details.
  3. Add your Secondary and Primary schools’ details i.e. KCSE and KCPE index number and year of examination.
  4. Add your current University/College details.
  5. Fill in your parents’ details and upload death certificate/burial permit in PDF in case of a deceased parent.
  6. Click on Complete Profile.
• Read, understand the Financial Literacy materials, and do an assessment (You must score 70% to access the Scholarship and Loan Applications).
• Tick Scholarship and/or Loan application boxes as applicable. Depending on your selection.
  1. Accept the Scholarship terms and conditions then submit your scholarship request – The scholarship application form is sent to your email address.
  2. Accept the Loan terms and conditions and click on First Time Loan Application to proceed.
• Add the Guarantors’ details – Parents qualify as guarantors.
• Select the preferred Payment mode to facilitate payment of upkeep money (Upkeep payment is for KUCCPS placed students in Universities and all TVET trainees).
• Provide the Mpesa number/ Bank account details – the Mpesa and bank number must be registered in your name.
• Click on the Submit button to complete your Loan application.
• The Loan application form is sent to your email address.

Also Read: HELB Opens Application Portal for KMTC Students; How to Apply

HELB Directives to Students

Students are reminded that the application and submission of both the Higher Education Fund (HEF) Scholarship and Loan forms are strictly conducted online.

Applicants, their parents, and guarantors must ensure that the phone numbers provided during the application process are registered under their respective names. This is necessary for verification purposes.

Minor applicants who sat for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in 2022 or 2023 can access the application portal using their KCSE index number in place of a National ID.

In cases where an applicant has forgotten their password, they are advised to click on the “Forgot Password” option on the login page and follow the prompts to reset it.

Also Read: HELB Announces 80% Penalty Waiver for Loan Defaulters

Required Documents

Applicants are also required to upload several supporting documents as part of the application process. These include:

• Both sides of the National ID card in PDF format

• A recent passport-sized photograph (not exceeding 1MB, in JPEG, JPG, or PNG format)

• A birth certificate (in PDF format), particularly for minor applicants or those who have lost a parent

• A sponsorship letter in PDF format, if the applicant was sponsored during secondary school

Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.