How to Apply for HELB Student Scholarship Loan 2024/2025

Recently, information was made public by the Higher Education Loans Board, addressing how to apply for HELB student scholarship loan for the 2024/2025 session.

Unfortunately, a plethora of students have dropped out of schools due to financial crises. To many countries, a quick way to solve this issue is by providing the needy students with loans.

Furthermore, when it comes to African countries providing their students with loans, Kenya is no exception as one of the professional bodies in the county, HELB is currently overseeing this.

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You might already be wondering how to apply for a HELB loan or how it works. Interestly, this guide details the information concerning HELB Student Scholarship loan which you may have had no idea about.

You can also apply for:

So, without further wasting of time, let’s get down to understanding the application procedures of HELB loans and how the whole system works.

Overview of HELB

The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) is the management team behind the provision of loans to Kenyan students who are eager to obtain higher education at Kenya recognized institutions and/or beyond.

The well-known HELB was established as a Statutory State Corporation in the Ministry of Education, Kenya by an Act of Parliament, ‘Higher Education Loans Act’ Cap 213A.

Types of HELB Loans

1. TVET Loan

The Technical, Vocational & Education Training (TVET) loan is provided for students pursuing certifications in TVET approved institutions/colleges under the Ministry of Education.

This loan is attached with a Ksh. 1000 ledge fee annually with an interest rate of 4% per annum. HELB only disburse the loan to the applicant once he/she has met the application requirements.

Adding to that, TVET loans are repayable for a maximum of 48 months. The loanee will have to repay within a year of study completion. Also, voluntary payments before or after the completion of studies are allowed.

2. Undergraduate Loan

This HELB loan is only provided to students pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree. In simple words, students undertaking Diploma, Certificate, Postgraduate, and Pre-University programmes are not eligible.

The loan repayment can be made for a maximum of 120 months after one year of study completion.

3. Jielimishe Loan

Jielimishe Loan is available in variations depending on the student’s employment, plus the loan is available for only working students pursuing professional courses in Master’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Post-graduate, and Higher National Diploma.

It has the same interest rate of TVET and ledge fee. Also, its repayment is due a month after getting approved and has received the loan and is repayable for a maximum of 72 months.

HELB Loan Amount

The maximum amount which TVET loanees can borrow up to is Ksh. 40,000 with Ksh. 26,420 going into the tuition fee and Ksh. 13,580 as the student’s upkeep.

For undergraduate loanees, they can borrow up to Ksh. 60,000 for secondary and first-time applicants with loan splitting to cater student’s tuition fees and upkeep places by The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS)

Lastly, students can borrow up to 90% of their program fees, with a limit of Ksh. 600,000

Eligibility for HELB Student Scholarship Loan 2024

The trick and easy way to considered eligible for HELB loan is to meet the application requirements just as detailed below:

You must have passport size photo
A Government issued National Identification
Birth certificate
A valid email address
A registered phone number in your name
KCPE and KCSE index numbers and the year of the examination
Admission Letter from the recognized institution
Applicant Guardian/Parents’ registered telephone number
Two qualified guarantors’ ID numbers and registered numbers
A copy of the sponsorship letter (if you were sponsored in Secondary School)
Parents’ National ID Card
Death Certificate of parents is deceased

How to Apply for HELB Student Scholarship Loan 2024

HELB loan application procedures have been streamlined to friendly steps which makes it super easy for applicants.

1. HELB Student Portal

Login to HELB student portal
Navigate to the Loan Application page
Select the Loan Application option
Enter the necessary information
Finalize and submit the application

2. HELB Mobile App

Download and install HELB Mobile app from Google Play Store
Sign up/Login to the app with the appropriate details
Complete the financial literacy form
Select the loan type to match your academic level and course
Review your details and submit the application

3. HELB USSD Code

Dial *642 with your mobile device
Select the loan application option
Agree to the terms and conditions
Confirm the loan placement and other details
Submit the application

Application Deadline for HELB Loan 2024

31st December, 2024 is the application deadline for HELB loan. Students applying for the loan have from 18th June, 2024 till the last day of 2024 or they will be automatically disqualified.

How Do I Withdraw HELB Loan?

After getting the loan approval, to withdraw it, simply proceed as follows:

Download and install the M-PESA app from your device store
Register an account or login if you have an existing account
Navigate to the Education tab and select HELB
Place the withdrawal by following the on-screen instructions

How Do I Repay HELB Loan?

Repayment of a HELB loan is important just like applying for the loan. To repay, you will have to use the M-PESA app after downloading and installing it.

Select the pay bill option from the menu, enter HELB business number, enter your National ID number as your account number, enter the amount you want to repay, confirm and process the transaction.