The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has opened the application portal for first-year loan applications for the academic year 2023-2024. This targets undergraduate students applying for their first student loan.
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.
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 2023-2024 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 HELB Loan will you be awarded?
- The loan awarded to university undergraduate students ranges from a minimum of Sh40,000 to a high of Sh60,000.
- For those placed by Kenya University and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), the loan amount is split to cater for both Tuition fee and Upkeep while the Self-sponsored students, the money is sent directly to the university once a year as tuition fees.
- A standard amount of Ksh4,000 for Government sponsored students only is deducted from the loan awarded and disbursed to the university per semester for tuition [total Ksh8,000] and the rest is sent to the applicant’s bank account as upkeep.
- An Administrative Fee of Ksh500 per year is charged on the loan awarded and it is therefore deducted from the disbursed loan.
- A limited number of needy government sponsored students receive bursary of between Ksh4,000 and Ksh8,000 per year. The Bursary is paid to the university.