When applying for undergraduate, masters or PhD helb loan in Kenya, you first visit helb website where you will be directed on how to apply for the loan.

The documents required to apply for helb loan include:
1) Copy of letter of admission to the university
2) Certified copy of last acquired certificate
3) Certified copy of ID
4) Certified copies of two salaried guarantors’ IDs
5) Certified copy of PIN card
6) Certified copies (by employer) of the latest three months pay slips
7) Recent colored passport size photograph
8) Letter of appointment (contracted applicants only)(1-5 should be certified by an advocate and 6-9 by employer)

The documents listed above are for individuals who are employed,commonly known as salaried.

When you present your documents to the HR for signature, ensure they indicate that you are on long term contract or a permanent employee, otherwise if you indicate that you are a casual worker you will automatically fail to qualify for the loan.

For Kenyans who want to join college and are not salaries,they have to present their form four certificate or result slip,identity cars or birth certificate,photocopy of their parents’ ID,copy of letter of admission to  the university and coloured passports.

In addition,you must fill a form that you download from helb website,which must be accompanied with the documents listed above.

In addition to the loan listed above,helb offers various scholarships for needy cases.Keep on visiting their website for updates.

Undergraduate Loans

How to apply for a HELB Loan as a First Time Applicant:

1. Visit our website or hef.co.ke to access the Student Portal and click on “register” to create an account.
2. Confirm whether you have your National ID and enter your ID number. Enter your KCSE Index number if you don’t have a National ID.
3. Enter a valid email address and password and click “register”.
4. You have successfully created an account. Check your email (Inbox or Spam/ Junk) to activate your account and log in after email activation.
5. Enter a valid Telephone number where a verification code will be sent. If the verification code expires, click resend button to get a new verification code.
6. Fill your profile & update your Biodata.
7. Give consent to collection of your personal data.
8. Read through the consent form to understand why we are collecting your personal data then tick the checkbox to agree with terms of use.
9. Fill in your personal details then save to continue.
10. When all details are complete, submit your scholarship/loan request.
11. Consent to processing of your data by Accepting the loan terms and conditions.
12. Update your guarantor details.
13. Provide loan payment information as per the fields provided (Bank or mobile payment)
14. Submit your loan application.

Requirements

1. A valid email address for the applicant (Student)
2. Valid telephone number (must be registered in your name to apply for a loan)
3. KCPE and KCSE index numbers and year of examination
4. Passport size photo
5. Copy of your National ID (for loan application)
6. College/University admission letter
7. Your parents’ registered telephone number
8. Your parents’ national ID number
9. Death certificate if any of your parent is deceased.
10. Your birth certificate.
11. Two guarantors’ (Can be your parents) ID numbers and registered telephone numbers (for loan application)
12. Copy of the sponsorship letter if you were sponsored in Secondary school.

How to apply on the HELB App as a second and Subsequent applicant

1. Applicants should visit Google play store and download the HELB Mobile Application.
2. Register your details (First name, Phone, Email Address, National ID and KRA PIN number) on the HELB App to generate a PIN which you will use to log in and accept the license agreement. Ensure that you use the Safaricom number that you use for Mpesa transactions and it should be registered in your name.
3. Read the mandatory Financial literacy notes and undertake a brief Question & Answer to appreciate the purpose of credit. Scroll down to view results then click “proceed”.
4. Click on loans then select undergraduate loans to get the Undergraduate Subsequent Loan Application Form [LAF].
5. Follow each step to fill in the required details and submit. A pop-up message will appear to show that you have successfully applied. The loan serial number will also be displayed.

Jielimishe Loan (For Salaried Students)

HELB takes the stress of fee payment off your mind to let you focus on your studies.

Education is one of the most important investments you can make in yourself. HELB offers Jielimishe Loan to employed students pursuing Professional Courses, Higher National Diploma, Bachelors, Postgraduate-Diploma, Masters or PhD degrees in Kenya. The loans are awarded per year and paid directly to the approved institutions of higher learning.

Requirements

1. Admission letter from a recognized university/College in Kenya.
2. Certified copy of your last acquired academic certificate (certified by a commissioner of oaths).
3. Three (3) months latest pay slips (certified by your employer).
4. If you are employed on contract, please provide copy of appointment letter for a contract of not less than two years (certified by your employer).
5. Certified copy of your National ID (certified by a commissioner of oaths).
6. Certified copy of your KRA PIN (certified by a commissioner of oaths).
7. Certified copy of National ID from two employed guarantors (certified by a commissioner of oaths).
8. Recent colored passport size photograph of yourself.

Who is eligible

Employees in:

1. Civil service (Ministries, Counties, National Police Service, Kenya Defense Forces).
2. Public Commissions e.g. Teachers Service Commission, JSC, PSC, CAJ, SRC, CRA etc.
3. Parastatals e.g. KRA, NSSF, NHIF, NTSA, KWS, KFS, KPA etc.
4. Public Universities.
5. Selected Private companies (E-mail [email protected] to check whether your company is eligible).

TVET Loans

How to apply as a First Time Applicant

1. 1. Visit our website or hef.co.ke to access the Student Portal and click on “register” to create an account.
   2. Confirm whether you have your National ID and enter your ID number. Enter your KCSE Index number if you don’t have a National ID.
   3. Enter a valid email address and password and click “register”.
   4. You have successfully created an account. Check your email (Inbox or Spam/ Junk) to activate your account and log in after email activation.
   5. Enter a valid Telephone number where a verification code will be sent. If the verification code expires, click resend button to get a new verification code.
   6. Fill your profile & update your Biodata.
   7. Give consent to collection of your personal data.
   8. Read through the consent form to understand why we are collecting your personal data then tick the checkbox to agree with terms of use.
   9. Fill in your personal details then save to continue.
   10. When all details are complete, submit your scholarship/loan request.
   11. Consent to processing of your data by Accepting the loan terms and conditions.
   12. Update your guarantor details.
   13. Provide loan payment information as per the fields provided (Bank or mobile payment)
   14. Submit your loan application.
2. Note:
   1. Please ensure that you read through the consent form to understand why we are collecting your personal data before you tick the checkbox to agree. View HELB Data Privacy Statement. 
   2. It is recommended that students prudently manage their HELB loans once disbursed to cater for Tuition, books, stationery, accommodation, and subsistence.

Application requirements

2. A valid email address for the applicant (Student)
3. Valid telephone number (must be registered in your name to apply for a loan)
4. KCPE and KCSE index numbers and year of examination
5. Passport size photo
6. Copy of your National ID (for loan application)
7. College/University admission letter
8. Your parents’ registered telephone number
9. Your parents’ national ID number
10. Death certificate if any of your parent is deceased.
11. Your birth certificate.
12. Two guarantors’ (Can be your parents) ID numbers and registered telephone numbers (for loan application)
13. Copy of the sponsorship letter if you were sponsored in Secondary school.

How do I apply for Higher Education Financing (HEF)?

1. Visit our website or hef.co.ke to access the Student Portal and click on “register” to create an account.
2. Enter your National Identification number or KCSE Index number (for a minor).
3. Enter a valid email address and password and click “register”.
4. You have successfully created an account. Check your email (Inbox or Spam/ Junk) to activate your account and log in after email activation.
5. Enter a valid Telephone number where a verification code will be sent. If the verification code expires, click resend button to get a new verification code.
6. Fill your profile & update your Biodata.
7. Give consent to collection of your personal data.
8. NOTE: Read through the consent form to understand why we are collecting your personal data then tick the checkbox to agree with terms of use.
9. Fill in your personal details then save to continue.
10. When all details are complete, submit your scholarship/loan request.
11. Consent to processing of your data by Accepting the loan terms and conditions.
12. Update your guarantor details.
13. Provide loan payment information as per the fields provided (Bank or mobile payment)
14. Submit your loan application.

What do I require to apply for the Higher Education Financing (HEF)?

1. A valid email address for the applicant (Student)
2. Valid telephone number (must be registered in your name to apply for a loan)
3. KCPE and KCSE index numbers and year of examination
4. Passport size photo
5. Copy of your National ID (for loan application)
6. College/University admission letter
7. Your parents’ registered telephone number
8. Your parents’ national ID number
9. Death certificate if any of your parent is deceased.
10. Your birth certificate.
11. Two guarantors’ (Can be your parents) ID numbers and registered telephone numbers (for loan application)
12. Copy of the sponsorship letter if you were sponsored in Secondary school.

How do I apply for subsequent loan using USSD?

1. Dial *642# and select login option.
2. Enter your PIN to login.
3. Select the loan application option.
4. Choose your application level: Degree, Diploma or Certificate.
5. Select academic year and click send.

How do I apply for Undergraduate Subsequent loan using the HELB mobile App?

1. 1. Download the HELB App from Google Play Store .

Note. There has been an upgrade on the HELB App, therefore ensure to upgrade your App.

1. Register using your phone number to generate a PIN which you will use to log in.
2. Ensure the mobile number is registered under your name. Please NOTE that mobile numbers not registered in the student’s name will not be able to proceed with the application.
3. Read, understand, and click to accept the license agreement.
4. Enter your first name as it appears on your national ID card, the ID number and valid email address to complete registration.
5. Click on the “loans” tab and choose Degree. Then click “apply” on the Undergraduate subsequent loan.
6. Read and understand the process tutorial and proceed to read the financial literacy guide.
7. Click on get started to start the application process.
8. Enter your phone number which should be registered in your name and national id number to verify that you are the owner of that number.
9. Read and understand the loan terms and condition and agree to proceed.
10. Answer the financial literacy questions and scroll down to view results and click “proceed”.
11. Select your preferred loan payment option.
12. Click request loan to view and verify your loan details.
13. Click “submit” to complete the loan application. A pop-up message will appear to show that you have successfully applied. The loan serial number will also be displayed.
14. At later dates, you will receive other notifications on awards and disbursements of upkeep and tuition loans and where applicable, bursary.

How do I apply for TVET Subsequent Loan using the HELB Mobile App?

1. Download the HELB App from Google Play Store . Note. There has been an upgrade on the HELB App, therefore ensure to upgrade your App.

2. Register using your phone number to generate a PIN which you will use to log in.
3. Ensure the mobile number is registered under your name. Please NOTE that mobile numbers not registered in the student’s name will not be able to proceed with the application.
4. Read, understand, and click to accept the license agreement.
5. Enter your first name as it appears on your national ID card, the ID number and valid email address to complete registration.
6. Click on the “loans” tab and choose Certificate/ Diploma. Then click “apply” on the TVET second and subsequent loan.
7. Read and understand the process tutorial and proceed to read the financial literacy guide.
8. Click on get started to start the application process.
9. Enter your phone number which should be registered in your name and national id number to verify that you are the owner of that number.
10. Read and understand the loan terms and condition and agree to proceed.

11. Answer the financial literacy questions and scroll down to view results and click “proceed”.
12. Select your preferred loan payment option.
13. Click request loan to view and verify your loan details.
14. Click “submit” to complete the loan application. A pop-up message will appear to show that you have successfully applied. The loan serial number will also be displayed.
15. At later dates, you will receive other notifications on awards and disbursements of upkeep and tuition loans and where applicable, bursary.

How do I access my funds through MPESA Wallet?

The HELB loan mobile payment option is currently available on Mpesa, below is the procedure on how you can access and withdraw the funds from HELB Mini App.

1. Download the MPESA App from Google App Playstore or Apple App Store or Huawei App gallery.
2. Register on the MPESA App using your MPESA registered phone number, and make sure you are using data bundles from Safaricom.
3. Login and go to the home page, then Categories, and to the Education tab.
4. Select HELB from Education tab.
5. Register on the HELB Mini app.
6. Sign in using your MPESA registered phone number, and you will receive a verification code via SMS for login.
7. Once you log in, kindly click on the home page tab to withdraw your funds to your MPESA using the withdraw button on the page.

How can I get in touch with HELB?

Should you require further support, please email Helb on [email protected] or call them on 0711052000. 

Helb Postgraduate scholarships

HELB awards partial scholarships to Kenyans pursuing postgraduate programmes (Masters or PHD) in local Public or Private Universities recognized by the Commission for University Education [CUE]. The value of the scholarship award is Kshs. 200,000 and Kshs. 450,000 for Masters and PhD programmes respectively, tenable for 2 years in respect of the Master’s Programme and 3 years for the PhD.

Eligibility:

1. Letter of Admission into a full or part time Postgraduate university program.
2. Minimum undergraduate qualification of Second-Class Honors, Upper Division.
3. Reporting for First year of study.
4. Preference will be given to applicants undertaking Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Innovation and Fisheries [STEM IF] and those courses which will directly contribute to the “Big Four Agenda.”
5. If the applicant is a previous or current HELB loan beneficiary, the applicant MUST be repaying his/her loan or has cleared the loan.

The HELB Postgraduate Scholarship application form is accessible from the Student Portal upon registration.

How to Apply:

1. The applicant should register, access and duly complete the Postgraduate Scholarship Application (PGSA). The application is accessible through the Student Portal.
2. After filling the required application details, click and submit the duly completed application then download and print the PGSA.
3. Proceed to have the PGSA duly signed and stamped by the relevant authorities and attach all the necessary documents as indicated in the checklist.
4. Scan the filled PGSA and all the attachments in PDF format as one document.
5. Send the scanned PDF copy to [email protected].

Note:

1. Geographical distribution and gender are considered during the Scholarship Award.
2. Applicants from marginalized regions are highly encouraged to apply.
3. The applicant shall be prompted to pay a non-refundable application fee of Kshs.3,000 via MPESA once they click on the payment tab on the portal.
4. Do not pay any individual to process your Postgraduate Scholarship Application.