HELB Loans Open for 2023-2024 First-time Applicants - How to Apply

UPDATE AUGUST 2023: On Monday, July 31, 2023, the government introduced an application portal to facilitate the process of obtaining loans and scholarships under the New Universities and Colleges Funding Mode.

Education Cabinet Secretary, Ezekiel Machogu, announced during the launch event held at the Kenya School of Government in Kabete that all prospective students seeking financial assistance for higher education should now submit formal online requests through the Higher Education Financing (HEF) portal, www.hef.co.ke.

Follow this link learn how to make your application using the new portal. How to Apply for Scholarships and Loans Through the HEF Portal

NOTE: From August 2023, all new applications for scholarships and loans have moved to the HEF portal. However, continuing students will apply for subsequent disbursements as normal. If you sat your KCSE from 2022 onwards, follow the link above to learn how to use the HEF portal to make your application for a scholarship or loan under the new Higher Education Financing (HEF) model.

The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has opened the application portal for first-year loan applications for the academic year 2022-2023.

Applications are now being accepted from students placed by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), as well as those enrolled in self-sponsored programs at private and public universities in Kenya and the East African Community that are recognised by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

The deadline for applications is Wednesday, 30th November 2022.

Who is Eligible?

Undergraduate students applying for their first student loan

Requirements for HELB Loan First Time Applications

You should provide the following documents with your HELB application form (enclosed in a single envelope):

• A copy of the applicant's national identification card.
• Copies of the parents' national identification cards/death certificates, if the parent is deceased.
• Copies of both guarantors' national identification cards.
• A copy of the admission letter and KCSE result slip/certificate of the applicant.
• A copy of the applicant's bank ATM/bank card (for government-sponsored students only)
• A copy of the applicant's institution's Smart Card.
• One recent coloured passport photo of the applicant.

How to Apply for Your First Time HELB Loan

• To register, visit www.helb.co.ke to access the Student Portal, create and activate your account.
• Log in, navigate to Loan Application, and then click and select the 2022-2023 Undergraduate First Time Loan Application Form (LAF).
• Read and evaluate your financial literacy online, and understand the purpose of credit.
• Access the Loan Application Form and fill it.
• Print 2 copies of the filled Loan Application form. Preview the form and make any required changes before submitting it for printing.
• Fill out the forms appropriately and sign where necessary.
• Read, comprehend, and sign to accept the loan terms and conditions and data protection consent form.
• Present one copy of the filled form and all the attached documents at; a) Any of the following Huduma centers nearest to you; Nairobi- GPO, Bomet, Bungoma, Chuka, Eldoret, Embu, Garissa, Kakamega, Kericho, Kilifi, Kisii, Kisumu, Kitale, Kitui, Lodwar, Machakos, Makueni, Meru, Migori, Mombasa, Murang’a, Nakuru, Nandi, Narok, Nyeri, Taita Taveta, Thika, West Pokot. b)HELB Student Service Centre, Anniversary Towers, University Way, Nairobi, OR c) Send to HELB through registered and secure mail or courier.
• Keep a copy of the completed and signed Loan Application Form [This is mandatory].
• After loan application submission, there will be progressive notifications on receipt, application verification, award and payout of upkeep and tuition loans, and, where applicable, bursary.‍
• Do not be duped, this Loan Application process is free.

How Much Loan Does HELB Award?

Undergraduate university students may be eligible for loans ranging from Ksh40,000 to Ksh60,000 per year.

For students placed through Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), the loan amount is divided between tuition fees and upkeep costs, whereas self-sponsored students have their tuition payments transferred directly to the university once a year.

According to the HELB, its loans come with a 4% interest rate and a Ksh1,000 ledger every year, with a maximum Undergraduate loan amount of Ksh60,000 per academic year.

The number of loans available is determined by the length of the program. For a 4-year program, for example, a loan is issued four times, and for a 5-year program, five times.

The loan is charged an administrative fee of Ksh500 every year, which is taken from the disbursed amount.

A limited number of needy government-sponsored students get annual bursaries ranging from Ksh4,000 to Ksh8,000. The Bursary is paid to the university.

Repayment of undergraduate loans begins one year after graduation or as soon as the Board decides to recall the loan, whichever comes first.