A HELB loan in Kenya helps thousands of students pay for university and college every year, and applying is easier than most people think.
In this guide, you will learn who can apply, which papers to get ready, and how to fill in the form step by step. You will also see how much money you may get and how to pay it back later. Campus life can cost more than a loan covers, so it also helps to know a few side hustles you can start with Ksh 5,000.
How do you apply for a HELB loan in Kenya?
To apply for a HELB loan in Kenya, first-time students register on the HEF portal (hef.co.ke) using their ID number and personal phone number, complete their profile, upload documents, enter two guarantors, and submit. Continuing students apply through the HELB app or by dialling *642#. The application is paperless and free.
Want the rules straight from the source? HELB publishes an official checklist and steps in its HEF application guide. We used it, along with recent news from the Ministry of Education, to write this article.
Deadline alert: 21 September 2026
The Ministry of Education extended the 2026/2027 funding window for first-time and continuing students to Monday, 21 September 2026. If you have not applied yet, start now. Dates can change, so confirm on HELB's website. You can also read the Nation report on the extension.
In this guide
- What HELB is and how it works now
- Who can apply
- Documents to get ready
- How to apply: first-time students
- How to apply: continuing students
- TVET and college students
- How much money you may get
- Deadlines and timeline
- How you get the money
- Interest and repayment
- Mistakes that delay your application
- How to avoid HELB scams
- Other ways to pay for school
- Frequently asked questions
What is HELB and how does it work now?
HELB stands for the Higher Education Loans Board. It is a government body that helps Kenyan students pay for university and college. In the past, HELB gave only loans. Today, one application can bring you three kinds of help:
Scholarship
Free money from the government. You do not pay it back.
HELB loan
Money you pay back later. Interest is low, at 4% a year.
Family share
The part of the fees your household is expected to pay.
How does the government decide your mix? It uses a tool called the Means Testing Instrument, or MTI. The MTI checks how much your family can afford. It looks at your household income, how many people depend on it, and where you live. Students from poorer homes get more free scholarship money. This system is called the Student-Centred Funding Model.
You do not pick a product first. You fill in one form, and HELB works out your scholarship, loan and bursary for you.
What may change? Parliament is looking at the Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Bill, 2026. The Ministry of Education says first-time applicants are still handled under the current model for now. Watch HELB's website for news.
Who can apply for a HELB loan?
You can apply if you meet these simple rules:
- You are a Kenyan citizen with a National ID, a Maisha card, or a birth certificate if you are under 18.
- You have a place at a university or TVET college in Kenya. The form asks for your admission number, so you need your placement first.
- You have an email address and a phone number registered in your own name.
- You are ready to name two guarantors.
There are two groups of applicants, and each one uses a different route:
- First-time applicants are new students in their first year. They apply on the HEF portal.
- Continuing students are in their second year or later. They apply every year through the HELB app or by dialling *642#.
Not placed yet? Check your placement on the KUCCPS website first.
Documents to get ready before you start
Most delays happen because a student is missing one small detail. Use this checklist and tick each item as you find it. This list follows HELB's official first-time requirements.
0 of 9 ready
What is a guarantor? A guarantor is an adult who promises HELB that you will pay the loan back. Your parents can be your guarantors. Tell them before you apply, because HELB may contact them to confirm.
Tip: Type your names exactly as they appear on your ID and KCSE slip. A small spelling difference can slow down your application.
How to apply for a HELB loan in Kenya: first-time students
These steps follow HELB's official guide for undergraduate students. You do not need to print anything. The whole process is online.
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Open the HEF student portal
Go to hef.co.ke and choose Student Portal. You can also reach it from the HELB or Universities Fund websites. Then choose Register.
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Create your account
Enter your National ID number. If you are under 18, use your KCSE index number instead. Add a valid email address and make a password. Use your own phone number, registered under your name and ID.
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Activate your account
HELB sends a link to your email. Open it to activate your account. If you do not see it, check your Spam or Junk folder.
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Complete your profile and upload documents
Log in and open the My Profile tab. Fill in Personal Information, Residence, Education, Institution and Parents. Upload your documents here. Give true answers, because HELB uses this information to place you in a band.
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Choose your application
Open the HELB menu, go to the Loan Application tab, and pick First Time Undergraduate Scholarship and Loan.
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Read and accept the terms
Read the data consent form and the loan terms. Then accept them to move on.
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Add your guarantors and bank details
Enter the details of your two guarantors. If KUCCPS placed you, add your bank details too.
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Submit your application
Check every field, then submit. There is no form to print. HELB emails you a PDF copy of your application, so save it.
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Track your status
Log back in to the portal to follow your application. Need help? Email contactcentre@helb.co.ke.
Already applied with your KCSE index number? If you now have your National ID, update your details on the HEF portal. Do not create a new account. HELB warns that a second account causes problems.
Tip: The form is long. A laptop is easier than a phone, but use what you have. Keep your internet steady and do not wait for the last day.
How to apply for a HELB loan in Kenya: continuing students
If you already got HELB support before, you apply again each year. This is called a second and subsequent application. You can use the HELB app or the USSD code.
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Get the HELB app or dial *642#
Download the HELB App from the Google Play Store, or dial *642# on your phone.
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Register with your phone number
Register to get a PIN. The phone number must be registered in your name. Accept the terms and conditions.
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Enter your details
Type your first name as it appears on your National ID, your ID number, and a valid email address.
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Pick the right application
Tap the Scholarship, Loans, or Loans and Scholarship tab. Choose your degree level, then tap Apply on Undergraduate Second and Subsequent Scholarship and Loan.
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Finish the short money lesson
Read the tutorial and answer the financial literacy questions. Check your results and tap Proceed.
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Verify yourself
Enter your phone number and ID number to show the phone is yours. Then agree to the scholarship and loan terms.
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Request your loan
Tap Request Loan and check the loan details. Choose how you want the money paid, then submit.
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Save your proof
A pop-up shows your loan serial number, and HELB sends a confirmation SMS. That SMS is your proof that you applied, so keep it.
Can TVET and college students apply?
Yes. HELB funds students in national polytechnics, technical training institutes, and vocational colleges too. The steps are almost the same:
- First-time TVET students use the same HEF portal. In the Loan Application tab, choose First Time TVET Scholarship and Loan.
- Continuing TVET students use the HELB app or *642#. Pick Certificate or Diploma, then choose TVET Second and Subsequent Scholarship and Loan.
How much HELB loan will you get?
Your band decides everything. Band 1 is for the poorest households and gets the most free money. Band 5 is for households that can pay more. Each bar below shows how your tuition fees are split. Upkeep is extra money for food, rent and transport.
Band 1
Household income up to Ksh 5,995 a month
- Scholarship
- 70%
- HELB loan
- 25%
- Family pays
- 5%
- Upkeep loan a year
- Ksh 60,000
Band 2
Household income up to Ksh 23,670 a month
- Scholarship
- 60%
- HELB loan
- 30%
- Family pays
- 10%
- Upkeep loan a year
- Ksh 55,000
Band 3
Household income up to Ksh 70,000 a month
- Scholarship
- 50%
- HELB loan
- 30%
- Family pays
- 20%
- Upkeep loan a year
- Ksh 50,000
Band 4
Household income up to Ksh 120,000 a month
- Scholarship
- 40%
- HELB loan
- 30%
- Family pays
- 30%
- Upkeep loan a year
- Ksh 45,000
Band 5
Household income above Ksh 120,000 a month
- Scholarship
- 30%
- HELB loan
- 30%
- Family pays
- 40%
- Upkeep loan a year
- Ksh 40,000
Prefer a table? Here are the same numbers side by side.
| Band | Household income (monthly) | Scholarship | HELB loan | Family pays | Upkeep loan (yearly) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | Up to Ksh 5,995 | 70% | 25% | 5% | Ksh 60,000 |
| Band 2 | Up to Ksh 23,670 | 60% | 30% | 10% | Ksh 55,000 |
| Band 3 | Up to Ksh 70,000 | 50% | 30% | 20% | Ksh 50,000 |
| Band 4 | Up to Ksh 120,000 | 40% | 30% | 30% | Ksh 45,000 |
| Band 5 | Above Ksh 120,000 | 30% | 30% | 40% | Ksh 40,000 |
These are the figures widely reported since the funding model began, for example by Kenyans.co.ke. Rules can change each year. Your own HEF portal shows your final band and amounts, so treat this as a guide.
A simple example
When the model began, a Bachelor of Arts course was reported to cost Ksh 122,400 a year. Here is how that fee splits:
- Band 1: Ksh 85,680 free scholarship, Ksh 30,600 tuition loan, and Ksh 6,120 paid by the family. The student also gets a Ksh 60,000 upkeep loan.
- Band 5: Ksh 36,720 free scholarship, Ksh 36,720 tuition loan, and Ksh 48,960 paid by the family. The student also gets a Ksh 40,000 upkeep loan.
Remember: The upkeep money is a loan too. A Band 1 student on that course would borrow about Ksh 90,600 a year (tuition loan plus upkeep). Over four years, that is about Ksh 362,400 before interest. Plan for this early.
HELB deadlines and timeline for 2026/2027
Dates change from year to year, so always check HELB before you plan. Here is what happened this year:
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HELB opened subsequent loan applications for continuing students.
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First deadline for first-time applicants. About 789,000 applications had come in by then.
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The Education Cabinet Secretary told HELB and the Universities Fund to reopen the window.
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HELB confirmed the same new date for continuing students.
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New deadline for first-time and continuing students.
How and when you get the money
HELB does not send tuition money to you. It goes straight to your university or TVET college. Your upkeep goes to the bank account or Safaricom number you gave in your application. Double-check those details before you submit.
Processing can take a few weeks, and it takes longer when many students apply at once. This year, some first-year students reported waiting for their funds. Keep a little cash aside for your first weeks. If your status does not move, ask your institution's finance or HELB desk for help, or email contactcentre@helb.co.ke.
Interest and repayment: what you must know
A HELB loan is cheap money, but it is still a loan. These are the key rules:
- Interest is 4% a year on undergraduate loans. This is set by the HELB Act. Interest starts to build up after your first payout, not after you graduate.
- Repayment starts one year after you finish your studies. It does not depend on getting a job. HELB says this applies if you are employed, self-employed, or running your own hustle.
- You can pay early. Extra payments lower your balance and cut the interest you pay.
- Undergraduate loans can usually be paid over up to 120 months (10 years).
- Tell HELB where you are. The law expects you to share your address, location and job status. If you are jobless after the grace year, tell HELB.
You can pay through the *642# USSD code, the HELB Loanee Self-Service Portal on helb.co.ke, or the HELB mobile app. If you do not start on time, you risk monthly default penalties, a bad credit record, and no compliance certificate. Public sector jobs need that certificate. Read HELB's own reminder in this K24 Digital report.
HELB repayment estimator
- Monthly payment
- Ksh 3,669
- Total you repay
- Ksh 440,295
- Interest paid
- Ksh 77,895
This is a simple estimate at 4% a year, worked out on a falling balance. It does not include penalties or any interest added while you studied. Your HELB statement is the final word.
Common mistakes that delay your application
Avoid these seven slips and your application will move faster:
- Names that do not match. Copy your name exactly from your ID and KCSE slip.
- Making a second account. Update your old one instead.
- Using someone else's phone number. HELB asks for a number registered in your name.
- Guarantors who do not know. Tell them first, and check their phone numbers twice.
- Blurry uploads. Use clear photos or scans, and keep the files small.
- Skipping parent or household details. HELB uses them to find your band, so be complete and honest. Wrong details can delay or cancel your application.
- Waiting for the last day. Portals get slow when thousands apply together.
How to avoid HELB scams
HELB does not charge any fee to access the loan application. If anyone asks for money to "speed up" or "guarantee" your loan, walk away. Report it to the authorities.
Fake agents love deadline week because students are in a hurry. Their tricks look a lot like online job scams: pressure, upfront fees, and promises that sound too good. Our online job scams red flags checklist shows the warning signs to watch for. Only use hef.co.ke, helb.co.ke, the HELB app, or *642#, and share your PIN and password with nobody.
Other ways to pay for school while you wait
HELB may not cover everything, and money can arrive late. These options can fill the gap:
- HELB partner funds. HELB works with other organisations to support promising students who need help. See the products on helb.co.ke.
- The Universities Fund. It runs the scholarship side of the new model. Visit universitiesfund.go.ke for updates.
- Bursaries. Ask about constituency (NG-CDF) and county government bursaries, as well as help from churches and employers.
- Small income. Freelancing and online work can pay for data, books and daily needs. See the earn-while-you-study links in the sidebar.
Key takeaways
- First-time students apply on the HEF portal. Continuing students use the HELB app or *642#.
- Applying is free and paperless. Never pay anyone to apply.
- Get your documents, guarantors and admission number ready before you start.
- Your band decides your mix of scholarship, loan and family share.
- Interest is 4% a year. Repayment starts one year after you finish studies.
Frequently asked questions about a HELB loan in Kenya
How do I apply for a HELB loan in Kenya?
First-time students register on the HEF portal at hef.co.ke, complete their profile, choose the First Time Undergraduate Scholarship and Loan (or the TVET version), add two guarantors, and submit. Continuing students apply through the HELB app or by dialling *642#.
Does HELB charge a fee to apply?
No. HELB says it does not charge any fee to access the loan application. If someone asks you to pay to speed up your loan, do not pay. Report it to the authorities and contact HELB at contactcentre@helb.co.ke.
What is the HELB application deadline for 2026/2027?
The Ministry of Education extended the deadline for first-time and continuing students to Monday, 21 September 2026. Dates can change, so always confirm on the official HELB website.
What documents do I need for a HELB loan?
You need a valid email and phone number, your National ID or Maisha card (or birth certificate and KCSE index number if you are under 18), a passport photo, your KCPE and KCSE index numbers, your admission number, your parents' ID numbers or death certificates, and two guarantors' ID and phone numbers.
How much HELB loan will I get?
It depends on your funding band. Reports on the current model show a tuition loan of 25% to 30% of fees plus an upkeep loan of Ksh 40,000 to Ksh 60,000 a year. Your HEF portal shows your exact award after processing.
What is the HELB interest rate?
Undergraduate HELB loans carry interest of 4% a year under the HELB Act. Interest starts to build up after your first payout, not after you graduate.
When do I start repaying my HELB loan?
Repayment starts one year after you finish your studies, whether or not you have a job. If you are jobless after that year, tell HELB so you avoid default penalties.
Who can be my HELB guarantor?
You need two guarantors, and they can be your parents. You will enter their ID numbers and phone numbers. Tell them before you apply because HELB may contact them.
I applied with my KCSE index number and now have an ID. Should I open a new account?
No. HELB says to update your details on the HEF portal instead of creating a new account.
How do I check my HELB application status?
First-time applicants can track their application on the HEF portal. Continuing students should keep the confirmation SMS with their loan serial number. For help, email contactcentre@helb.co.ke.
Can TVET students apply for a HELB loan?
Yes. TVET students use the same HEF portal and choose First Time TVET Scholarship and Loan. Continuing TVET students choose the TVET Second and Subsequent option in the HELB app or on *642#.
Do I need to print the HELB form?
No. The application is paperless. HELB emails a PDF copy of your first-time application for your records.
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📲 WhatsApp 0714 701 814This guide is for information only. KE Offers and Online Errands are not part of HELB or the government. Rules, amounts and dates can change, so always confirm on hef.co.ke and helb.co.ke before you apply.