First Time Undergraduate HELB Loan Application

The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) on Monday, July 20, officially opened applications for undergraduate first-time loan applicants for 2020/2021. The loans are applicable to students looking to fund their higher education in Kenyan institutions. This is a Guide to First Time Undergraduate HELB Loan Application

Procedure

The following is the procedure of applying for a first time undergraduate HELB loan.

1. Visit HELB to register.
2. Log in, select and fill in the required Loan Application Form (either First Time or subsequent) for the respective program (TVET, Undergraduate or Continuing education) from the HELB website.
3. Print two copies of the duly filled Loan Application Form.
4. Have the form appropriately filled, signed and stamped by the relevant authorities and guarantors (for first time applicants only) and by the Dean (for subsequent applicants)
5. Sign the form and attach all the necessary documents as indicated in the checklist appearing on the last page of the Loan Application Form.
6. Present the two copies of the Loan Application Form to one of the listed banks that you have opened an account with, for verification and insertion of your bank account details.
7. Present one copy of the duly completed Loan Application Form and all the attached supporting documents at any of the following:
   • Select Huduma Centres: Nairobi, Kakamega, Eldoret, Nakuru, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nyeri, Embu, Machakos, Kisii, Bungoma, Turkana, Meru, Kitui, Kericho, Nandi (Kapsabet), Thika, Garissa, Kitale and Muranga for free and secure delivery to HELB Head Office.
   • HELB Student Centre on Mezzanine One (M1), Anniversary Towers, University Way, Nairobi
8. Retain one copy of the duly filled loan application form Remember: The HELB Loan Application process is free. Do not pay anyone to process your HELB Loan.
9. HELB will credit your helb bank account before the beginning of each semester. HELB applicants are advised to provide helb bank details of one of the the following banks: National Bank of Kenya, Kenya Commercial Bank, Cooperative Bank of Kenya, Kenya Post Office Savings Bank (Postbank), Equity Bank. Undergraduate HELB Loan Application

Required Documents – Undergraduate HELB Loan Application

• National Identification Card copy. HELB staff will use your ID to identify you as an applicant. It is also required when creating a new helb account at the helb potal.
• Valid bank account.
• Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) pin. Used by HELB board to track its borrowers.
• Your Parent (s)/ guardian particulars: name, marital status, level of education, source of income, employee details, current pay slip and employee No. (if employed).
• Your Parents Death certificate (for orphans). Letter of admission to the educational institution (or its copy).
• Copies of two guarantors’ Identification Cards

Office Locations & Contacts

HELB Offices
University Way,
Anniversary Towers,
18th Floor.
P.O. Box 69489 – 00400,
Nairobi,
Telephones: +254 711 052 000; 020 2278000.
HELB website:web
HELB portal:portal

HELB Contacts

For more queries, applicants are advised to visit the Helb website: www.helb.co.ke 

Email: contactcentre@helb.co.ke 

Tel: 0711052000 

Facebook & Twitter: @HELBpage

General helb loan repayment queries: recovery@helb.co.ke
Remittance (for employers): remittance@helb.co.ke
Start payment:billing@helb.co.ke
Helb Statement queries:statements@helb.co.ke
Request for helb clearance:certificate@helb.co.ke
Request helb refund: refund@helb.co.ke
Alternative helb loans queries: alternative@helb.co.ke

Eligibility

• Government of Kenya-Sponsored Undergraduate Students placed by Kenya Universities & Colleges Central Placement Service and admitted by the universities. 
• Direct Entry Undergraduate Self-Sponsored Students.

Fees

The HELB Loan Application process is free. Do not pay anyone to process your HELB Loan.

Validity

One year. The applicant should make new loan applications for subsequent years.

Instructions

• Students are advised to apply at least one month before the opening date to allow ample time for processing and remittance. The application period is January through July every year.
• Loans are available for undergraduate studies, as well as for postgraduate education as well.
• Applications are accepted each year during the final calendar quarter, usually between October and December for the next academic year. Loans are to be repaid one year after studies are completed.
• You should collect all required information before setting out to apply for a HELB loan
• The process normally starts with filling of the application form downloaded from the HELB website
• You should try to apply early enough to if you want to go through a smooth process

Required Information

• Full names
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Email Address
• Physical Address
• Place of birth
• National ID number
• Bank Account number
• KRA Pin number
• Parents Particulars
• County, Constituency, Ward, Location, Sub-location, Street, Village, Estate
• Nearest Public Primary School
• University Details [University, Faculty/School, Course, Registration/Admission Number, Cost of Program]
• Education Bacground Details [Primary School, Secondary School; Institution Name, Start year, end year, index number, grade]
• Guarantors Details [Two in number; Names, Telephone Number, Occupation, Email Addresses, Year of Birth, Physical Address]

Need for the Document

• The Government of Kenya, through the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), provides financial assistance to Kenyan students who have achieved annually predetermined cut-off points at the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education for University entrance.
• The purpose of the Higher Education Loans Board of Kenya (HELB) is to help those looking to attend college or university, by providing financing in the form of affordable loans and scholarships.
• These loans are for Kenyan students joining public or private universities within the East African Community directly from high school either through the former Joint Admissions Board (JAB) now Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) or as self-sponsored.

Information which might help

• Students are advised to apply at least one month before the opening date to allow ample time for processing and remittance. The application period is January through July every year.
• Loans are available for undergraduate studies, as well as for postgraduate education as well. Loans for Masters and Doctorate studies are limited to 200 each year and they are awarded on academic merit, not monetary needs.
• Applications are accepted each year during the final calendar quarter, usually between October and December for the next academic year. Loans are to be repaid one year after studies are completed.
• You should collect all required information before setting out to apply for a HELB loan. The process normally starts with filling of the application form downloaded from the HELB website. You should try to apply early enough to if you want to go through a smooth process

External Links

HELB website :Web
HELB portal :Portal

Others

• The interest of the loan is currently 4% per annum for direct entry students and 12% for all salaried applicants. The interest will start to accrue immediately after the first disbursement.

HELB loan repayment options

• HELB bank payment

All payments are payable to “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:

• Citibank, Nairobi A/C No. 300 040 012
• Co-operative Bank, University way A/C No. 011-296 122 2800,
• Barclays Bank, Barclay’s plaza A/C No. 077-501 8216,
• Kenya Commercial Bank, University-way A/C No. 1103 266 314,
• Standard Chartered Bank, Koinange street A/C No. 010 801 826 4700
• Equity Bank A/C No. 055-029 357 3408
• National Bank of Kenya Harambee Avenue A/C No.010 016 039 1100

• Payment with HELB mpesa paybill number To repay the helb loan via MPESA, you should enter HELB business number as 200800 or Airtel Money, please enter nickname as HELB. Your national ID number is account number. You will instantly receive confirmation via SMS.

• Choose the paybill option
• Type in 200800 (HELB mpesa paybill number)
• Use your national ID number as your account number
• Specify the amount you want to repay
• Type in your PIN number
• Confirm the transaction

The transaction requires 2 business days. The payment will be reflected in your helb statement.

• If you have a genuine need for additional funds, you can appeal amounts awarded to you by completing the appeal form.
• Once you are awarded a HELB loan, you will be required to fully repay the amount in accordance with the terms & conditions as well as the interest accrued thereafter and penalties incurred (if any).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the applicable interest rate and when does it start to accrue?

The interest is currently 4% per annum for direct entry students and 12% for all salaried applicants. The interest will start to accrue immediately after the first disbursement

2. Am I eligible for a loan in 2nd year if I did not apply in 1st year?

Yes you are. However one will be required to apply as a first time applicant during the first time applications window

3. What if I was awarded a loan but it is not enough, can I request for additional funds

Yes, if you have a genuine need for additional funds, you can appeal amounts awarded to you by completing the loan review (appeal) form on www.helb.co.ke

4. If I discontinue my education, do I have to pay amount awarded to me even if I didn’t complete my education?

Yes, once you are awarded a HELB loan, you will be required to fully repay the amount in accordance with the terms & conditions as well as the interest accrued thereafter and penalties incurred (if any).