The government has released Sh2.7 billion for loans and bursaries for university 180,000 students.
Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ezekiel Machogu said in a press statement that the funds will be used by some 180,000 students in public and private universities to offset tuition fees ahead of end of semester examinations.
“The funds have been sent to HELB for further disbursement to eligible students who are preparing to sit their end of semester examinations for the 2022/2023 Academic Calendar,” said Machogu.
“I, therefore, wish to assure all the affected students that they will be eligible for registration ahead of the examinations. Further, I direct all universities to ensure that all beneficiaries of government loans and bursaries are given the opportunity to sit their end of semester examinations as scheduled,” added the Cabinet Secretary.
Machogu’s announcement came hours after the Kenya Universities Students’ Organisation (KUSO), through its chairperson Jesse Saruni, said they’ll engage in peaceful demonstrations countrywide to push the government to release the HELB funds, saying students risked to miss out on exams and subsequent graduations.
HELB loan disbursement status, repayment and Registration using SMS services/Mobile phone
A student can also access HELB loan services using Short message services, SMS. The following services can be obtained through SMS code:
Loan Application and Disbursement status.
Loan repayment status.
Loan balance.
Loan mini-statement
HELB Compliance and Clearance Certificate Checker.
Loan repayment and many more.
HOW TO REGISTER FOR HELB LOAN MOBILE SERVICES.
Go to your dialer on your mobile and enter *642# and send.
Then Select/ enter 1 and send.
On the next window prompts, provide your: First name, last name, National ID number, date of birth.
Enter a PIN you can easily remember and confirm it.
A registration success message will be displayed thus: “Thank you for registering with the HELB mobile platform. You will receive SMS Confirmation Shortly.”