The Higher Education Loan Board (HELB) Portal is an essential online portal that has served almost every generation of students in Kenya. If you are a university student in Kenya, HELB should be a familiar term in your Vocabulary. Established in July 1995 by an Act of Parliament, ‘Higher Education Loans Board Act’ Cap 213A, HELB offers both loans and scholarships to students in Kenya to pursue higher education learning. The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has many products under its wing that anyone can apply for and be awarded. In this article, We will take you through everything that you need to know about the higher education loan board portal.
The Importance of HELB in Higher Education Financing
The moment you finish your Post Primary Education in Kenya and you have qualified to join a university or College in Kenya, and you don’t have the finances to fund your education, that is where HELB comes in. Think of HELB as a Bank that lends you money to use for some time, and then later on, you start repaying the loan based on the agreement details. As for HELB, you are expected to pay back your HELB Loan after one year of completion of your education. To learn more about HELB, you can start by checking out their Official HELB Portal for Students and Loanees. It’s full of information and steps on how to get started.
Overview of Higher Education Loan Board Portal Portal Online Services
HELB’s objective is to ensure every student in Kenya, regardless of their background, has access to education. To make this possible, the HELB portal offers a lot of services that you can take advantage of today. Additionally, these services are accessible online, providing convenience and saving you the time and money of traveling to Huduma Centre for assistance. Here are some of the services that you can access.
1. Loan application:
Did you know that you can make an application for a HELB loan online? Just head over to the official HELB or HEF portal. Start by creating an account and following all the necessary Prompts.
2. Checking your HELB loan status online:
Another critical aspect of the HELB Loan portal is that you can check the status of your loan. After your application, you can log into the Portal and head over to the Check Loan status section(access it via the right sidebar panel)
3. Receive money
Once your HELB verifies your details, the HELB Portal should immediately release the funds directly to your bank or Mpesa account.
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4. Check Loan Balance
Another essential aspect of the HELB Loan portal is its ability to display the amount of money you owe HELB. Once you complete your education, you may find additional resources on loan repayment via the HELB Portal.
For a step-by-step guide on how to use all these tools, refer to the HELB Loan Application Guide.
How To Use The HELB Portal
The HELB Portal offers a lot of opportunities that you should take advantage of. For this to be possible, you must know how to get around some things. Using the HELB Portal can seem challenging in the first place, but once you master all the Tricks, it is pretty straightforward. Here’s how to go about it:
1. Registration and Login Process
Before you access HELB Portal services, you need to create your account. Having a personal account will permit you to apply and access your Loans. Here is how To Register an account with HELB:
- Go to the HELB portal.
- On the Top Navbar, hover to students, and you will be redirected to the registration Page. If you like, you can access the Registration page directly here.
- Fill in the form with your details. They’ll ask for your name, email, and a password. Remember to use a robust password so your account cannot be compromised.
- Once you’ve filled everything out, hit the “Submit” button. Ta-da! You’ve got an account.
But what if you try to log in, and something goes wrong? Maybe you forgot your password, or it’s just not working. Don’t worry! There’s usually a link that says “Forgot Password?” or “Troubleshoot Login.” Click it, and follow the steps to get back into your account.
2. Loan Application through the HELB Portal
Now, let’s talk about getting a loan. HELB offers different kinds of loans for students like you, whether you’re just starting college or almost done. HELB provides three types of HELB products. These include:
- Jielimishe Loans: For Salaried Students
- Undergraduate Loans: check First Time Application-This is for applicants who are applying for the first time or Second & Subsequent Application
- TVET Loans: For tertiary students
When you’re ready to apply, you’ll need some essential papers. Things like your ID, your admission letter from school, and some information about your family’s money situation. These are but the basic requirements. When applying, be sure to go through the official documentation to see all the requirements m that you need to qualify to be awarded a HELB Loan.
Please take note that when it comes to application, HELB does offer deals. They are super important if you want to get a HELB loan. To see about deadlines, check on your student Portal under the loans section.
This article has been updated for 2023, and here are the deadline dates:
- Undergraduate Scholarship, Loan & Bursary (First Time Application): 7 October, 2023
- Undergraduate Loan (Subsequent Application): 7 October, 2023
3. Loan Allocation and Disbursement Status
After you apply, you’ll want to know what’s happening with your loan. Did you get it? How much? When will you see the money? You can find all this out on the HELB portal.
Here’s how to check your loan status:
- Log into your HELB account.
- Look for a section that talks about loan status or disbursement.
- Click it, and you should see all the details about your loan.
But what if your loan loan is taking a long time to show up? Sometimes, things get delayed. If that happens, don’t panic. There’s a process for this. You can contact HELB through their contact page or visit a HELB office for help. They’re there to make sure you get what you need. Here are the official contacts that you might want to use:
- Phone: 0711 052000
- Email address: contactcentre@helb.co.ke
- Help desk contacts: 0711 052000.
- HELB Kenya Facebook page: @HELBpage
- Twitter handle for HELB : @HELBpage
Loan Repayment and Compliance
After finishing your education, it is now time to start repaying your HELB Loan. In your Helb student portal dashboard, you can see all the balances you owe Helb. Do you know all the processes involved with repaying your HELB Loan ? If not, down below, we have compiled everything to learn.
Repayment Process for HELB Loans
First, you need to know when and how to pay back the loan . HELB will tell you when it’s time to start paying. This is usually one year after you have finished your studies. Here are various ways to follow when repaying a HELB Loan:
1. Mobile Payment Services: M-PESA
Using M-PESA (Safaricom) Money Transfer:
- Select the pay bill option
- Enter HELB business number as 200800
- Enter your national ID number as your account number
- Enter the amount you want to pay
- Enter your secret PIN
- Confirm the transaction and send
Using M-PESA (Safaricom) Money Transfer for Employers
- Upload the remittance schedule
- Generate the E-Slip
- Go to the M-PESA menu and click on Lipa na M-PESA, then Paybill
- Enter 200800 as the business number
- For the account details, enter the generated E-Slip number as the account number
- Enter your PIN
- You will receive a confirmation message for payment
2. Bank Deposit
All payments are payable to the Higher Education Loans Board by crossed cheque, bankers draft, direct transfer/standing order/EFT, or cash deposit to HELB collection A/C in any of the following banks:
| Bank Name | Account Number | Bank Branch | EFT Swift Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingdom Bank | 11748527001 | Koinange Street | CIFIKENAXXX |
| NCBA | 1002247638 | NCBA House | CBAFKENX |
| SBM | 0332084215001 | Delta House | CKENKENAXXX |
| Family Bank | 035000024971 | Family Bank Towers | FABLKENAXXX |
| National Bank of Kenya | 01001060391100 | Harambee Avenue | NBKEKENX |
| Equity Bank | 0550293573408 | Equity Center | EQBLKENA |
| Standard Chartered Bank | 0108018264700 | Koinange Street | SCBLKENX |
| KCB Bank | 1103266314 | University-way | KCBLKENX |
| Absa Bank | 0775018216 | Absa Plaza | BARCKENX |
| Co-operative Bank | 01129061222800 | University-way | KCOOKENA |
| Citibank | 300040012 | Nairobi | CITIKENA |
Word of advice: It’s essential to keep up with these payments because it helps HELB help other students just like you.
Accessing HELB Compliance Certificates
After Paying back your loan, HELB will award you a compliance certificate to indicate that you have finished paying your HELB Loans. Remember that a certificate is essential as you might need this certificate when you’re looking for a job or want to continue studying. To get your certificate, you’ll need to visit the HELB portal. No one should charge you for getting a HELB compliance certificate. It is entirely free.
Loanees’ Obligations and Responsibilities
As someone who has a HELB loan, you have some responsibilities. It’s like being part of a team. You have to play your part for everything to work well.
- Constantly update your contact details so they can reach you.
- Make payments on time
- Save all your payment receipts or statements. It’s proof that you’re keeping your promise.
If you don’t repay the loan, HELB might ask you to pay extra charges. A penalty of Ksh5,000 will be added to your HELB Amount that you owe HELB.
People also ask
Is the HELB portal open from 2023 to 2024?
If you are interested in applying for HELB loans in 2023, you should know that the HELB Portal is now open from 2023 to 2024. However, take note that the deadline for application for undergraduate loans is on 7 October 2023,
Has HELB 2023 been disbursed?
The application deadline for the loans was 7 October. Education cabinet member Ezekiel Machogu has announced that the HELB Loan funds disbursement will start on 7 November 2023.
How was my HELB application successful?
Usually, after applying on your HELB portal, a pop-up message will show that you have successfully used it. Also, HELB will send you a notification to your phone number indicating that the application is successful.
How to apply for the HELB Scholarship 2023?
To Apply for the HELB Scholarship, visit the official HELB Or HEF portal—and log in to your dashboard. On the side panel, click on scholarships and follow the rest of the prompts to get the scholarships. Make sure to provide the correct information.
What is the deadline for HELB application 2023?
The closing date for the loan application is 7 October 2023. To get a HELB Loan, make sure to apply before the said dates
Who is eligible for the HELB scholarship?
All Kenyan students in local Public or Private Universities recognized by the Commission for University Education are eligible for HELB scholarships. You must be qualified to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate programs at universities or colleges.
How much does HELB give per semester?
HELB usually gives students Loan amounts between Kshs. 40,000 minimum and Kshs. 60,000 maximum. The Loan attracts the interest of 4% p.a., and the students must repay their loans upon completion of their studies.
What is the age limit for HELB?
You should be 18 years of age with proof of national identity card or a birth certificate to apply.
