Helb Loan Application in Kenya 2023: News and Guide at Hand

The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) is an organisation that grants loans, bursaries, and scholarships for training in TVET colleges and universities. The organisation has allowed numerous Kenyans to pursue higher studies regardless of their family backgrounds. Beneficiaries must submit HELB loan application forms to be considered for funding.

HELB was founded in 1995 by an Act of Parliament. The history of loans for Kenyans to pursue education can be traced back to 1952. The colonial government issued loans to successful students under the Higher Education Loans Fund. Today, the HELB loan application portal is open to students pursuing higher education in local TVET colleges and universities.

HELB loan application in Kenya in 2023

HELB gives financial support to applicants to pursue higher studies, i.e. after completing secondary education. The aid is disbursed in the form of loans, bursaries, or scholarships. Loans must be repaid after completion of one's studies as stipulated in the terms and conditions.

The primary purpose of HELB student loans is to help needy students whose parents cannot afford higher education. The financial assistance is not intended for wealthy families or students without financial difficulties.

Eligibility

In the past, only government-sponsored students who secured admission through the Joint Admissions Board were eligible for financial assistance. This has since changed. Today, self-sponsored students and those pursuing diploma courses in technical institutions are eligible to apply.

Portal registration guide

To apply for a HELB loan, you must register on the HELB portal. Follow the steps below for successful account creation.

• Open a web browser on an internet-enabled device, preferably a computer.
• Visit the HELB loan portal.
• Click Register and enter the required information.
• Click Sign Up. An activation link will be sent to your email address.
• Access your personal email address and click on the activation link.
• Log into your personal account.
• Fill in your personal and residence details and click Save.

Your account is ready, and you are free to apply for a loan, bursary, or scholarship.

HELB loan application requirements

HELB applicants need to have the following documents and information in order to apply for financial assistance. Ensure you have them before you start your application.

• A copy of your national ID card.
• A valid bank account where the money will be deposited. Applicants are advised to open an account with the National Bank of Kenya, Kenya Commercial Bank, Cooperative Bank of Kenya, Kenya Post Office Savings Bank (Postbank), or Equity Bank.
• Your Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) PIN.
• Your parent(s)/ guardian particulars.
• Your parents' death certificate (for orphans).
• Your letter of admission to a particular educational institution (or its copy).
• Copies of two guarantors’ identification cards
• Three coloured passport-size photographs

HELB loan application

Once you have the above documents in place, you can begin the application process. Follow the steps below to complete the application process.

• Open your browser on an internet-enabled device and log into your personal account.
• Click Apply. A list of different application forms will appear. Choose the relevant HELB loan application form for your needs.
• Fill in all the required fields on the form. Proofread to ascertain all information entered is truthful and accurate.
• Download the completed form and print two copies.
• Ensure the form is properly filled, signed, and stamped by the relevant authorities and guarantors.
• Sign the application form, and attach all the required documents. You will find the complete list of the documents you must attach on the last page of the application form.
• One copy of your complete application form with the documents should be sent to the HELB Head Offices at the HELB Student Centre on Mezzanine One, Anniversary Towers, University Way, Nairobi.
• Alternatively, you can deliver it to the nearest Huduma Centre. Store the second copy safely.

HELB loan application forms

Before you fill in an application form, ascertain it is the correct one. The forms available on the portal are listed below.

• HELB application forms for non-salaried applicants
• Undergraduate First Time Applicants
• Undergraduate Second and Subsequent
• Undergrad Loan Review/Appeals
• Constituency Loan Application Forms Embu
• Constituency Loan Application Forms Tinderet
• Constituency Loan Application Forms Naivasha
• Constituency Loan Application Forms Igembe
• Constituency Loan Application Forms Karachuonyo
• Constituency Loan Application Forms Awendo
• TVET for Tertiary Institutions
• TVET for Tertiary Institutions Second and Subsequent
• Afya Elimu Fund (AEF) Subsequent Loan Application
• First Time and Subsequent Afya Elimu Fund Pre-Service
• Visa Oshwal Scholarship
• HELB application forms for salaried applicants
• Alternative Loans for Undergraduate, Salaried Applicants
• KRA Staff Loan Application Form
• Alternative Loans for Postgraduate, Salaried Applicants
• Postgraduate Scholarship
• Training Revolving Fund (TRF) for Civil Servants

NB: Always choose the correct form. If you are not sure, consult with the relevant people before completing any of the above forms.

Subsequent HELB loan application

Second-time or subsequent applicants can apply for financial assistance using the steps below.

• Visit the Google Play Store and download the HELB Mobile Application.
• Register your personal details to generate a PIN which you will use to log into your account.
• Accept the license agreement. Read the mandatory Financial literacy notes and undertake a brief question-and-answer section to appreciate the purpose of credit. Scroll down to view your results, then click Proceed.
• Click Loans, then select Undergraduate loans to get the Undergraduate Subsequent Loan Application Form.
• Follow the prompts and fill in the required details and submit. A pop-up message will appear to show that you have completed the process successfully, and a loan serial number will be displayed.
• At this stage, you will be required to pay KES 1 from your M-Pesa account during the application process to verify your telephone number. Ensure you use the Safaricom number that you use for M-Pesa transactions. The number should be registered in your name.
• If you are not a Safaricom subscriber, you will be directed to the portal for application using the application form. You will be required to print and submit the form to the HELB Student Service Centre.

Eligibility for subsequent applicants

• Recent beneficiaries of the undergraduate loan.
• Those placed by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Placement Service (KUCCPS) in local public and private universities
• Self-sponsored, parallel, and module II students studying for a Bachelor’s degree only.

How to check your HELB loan status

To check your status, visit the HELB student portal and log into your personal account. Once you log in, you will be able to view the necessary information.

Note that not all applications are accepted. It is possible to apply for a loan, bursary, or scholarship and not get it.

Contacts

If you need to contact HELB for further enquiries, use the contact details below.

• Physical Address: Anniversary Towers, 18th Floor, University Way.
• Postal Address: P.O. Box 69489 - 00400, Nairobi, Kenya.
• Telephone numbers: +254 711 052 000/ 020 2278000.
• General loan repayment queries:
• Remittance (for employers):
• Start payment:
• HELB Statement queries:
• Request for HELB clearance:
• Request HELB refund:
• Alternative HELB loans queries:

When is the deadline for HELB loan application in 2022?

The application deadline is Wednesday, 30th November 2022. If you are yet to apply, do so before the given timeline elapses.