The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) lends to Kenyan students at universities and colleges. Under the newer funding model, HELB loans sit alongside government scholarships, assessed by need. Repaying on time matters: HELB status is checked by many employers and by public-service recruiters.

Applying

  1. Apply on the HELB portal (or through the government’s higher education funding portal for first-year university students) during the application window.
  2. Provide your ID, KCSE or equivalent details, admission letter, and family and income information for the needs assessment.
  3. Track the application on the portal. Funds go to the institution for fees, and upkeep to the student.

Repayment

  • Repayment starts after a grace period of about a year after you complete, or leave, your course.
  • If you are employed, your employer deducts repayments through payroll once HELB notifies them. Tell HELB who your employer is.
  • If you are self-employed or unemployed, pay directly by M-Pesa or bank as set out on the HELB portal, and keep records.

Penalties

For each month a loan in repayment goes unpaid, HELB charges a penalty of at least KES 5,000. Arrears can also be reported to credit reference bureaus. If you cannot pay, contact HELB early - it can agree a repayment plan, and has run penalty waiver schemes for people who clear their arrears.

Checking your balance

Log in to the HELB portal with your ID number to see your loan balance, repayments and statement.

Compliance and clearance certificates

  • Compliance certificate - shows you are up to date with repayments, or never had a HELB loan. Employers and public bodies ask for it. It is free for borrowers who are up to date; people who never borrowed pay a small fee.
  • Clearance certificate - issued once the loan is fully repaid.

Apply on the HELB portal or through eCitizen. See Clearance certificates for jobs.

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