Tag Archives: HELB Loan Status

HELB News Portal

Answers to frequently asked Helb questions

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The Higher Education Loans Board, HELB, has provided official responses to all questions on the agency’s loan products and services. You can get all the answers to any questions concerning Helb.

HELB Loan FAQ: I used a wrong pin number and now my Account is locked how can I access the app? You can still access the HELB App by clicking on ‘reset pin’ to enter a new pin and confirm it.

HELB Loan FAQ: How do I know I have successfully applied? Once you have completed the application process, you will receive a notification with confirmation of successful application.

HELB Loan FAQ: I have not received a One Time Password code (OTP), what should I do? Don’t panic, the OTP code is always sent to the mobile number you provided during HELB App registration. You can resend the request after 5 minutes if you haven’t received the OTP code.
HELB Loan FAQ: How much does it cost to do the application? The application is free of charge. However, you will be charged KES 1 via M-Pesa to authenticate your mobile number. The amount will be deposited to your loan repayment account.
HELB Loan FAQ: How do I know I have successfully applied? Once you have completed the application process, you will receive a notification with confirmation of successful application.
HELB Loan FAQ: I do not have a smart phone, how do I apply? Simply dial *642# to begin your application process.
HELB FAQ: My institution details are not correct, how do I edit? Go to “my account” on the HELB App. Click on “Institution”, then click on “Edit”. Caution! Ensure you do not provide incorrect details that may lead to misdirected funds or non-disbursement.
HELB FAQ: I do not have a smartphone or android phone, how do I apply? You can still apply by dialling *642# from your mobile phone.
HELB FAQ: How do I download the HELB Mobile App? Simply visit Google Play Store, bit.ly/HELB-App, and download the App for free.
HELB FAQ: How do I access the Helb Student Portal? Register on the HELB Portal by visiting bit.ly/NewHELBportal. You can now Self-Serve, check your Loan Status and print your Compliance Certificate.

I don’t have an ID card; can I apply for a HELB loan

Is it compulsory to apply for a HELB loan?

Are you a first-time HELB applicant? Do you want to know everything about HELB loan registration and application?  Then you are in the right place. We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions about HELB.  Let’s start.

What is HELB?

The Board’s objective is to give financial support to needy Kenyan students in institutions of higher learning both locally and abroad. The organization gives loans, bursaries and scholarships for training at public and private institutions of higher learning, which are recognized by the Ministry of Education of Kenya. Thanks to HELB loans, all Kenyan citizens can empower their dreams by getting an academic degree and embarking on a successful career. However, due to financial constraints, it is currently not in a position to provide loans to students studying outside the country and those on Self-Sponsored Programmes (commonly known as the ‘Parallel Programmes’).

What are the requirements for applying a loan?

  1. A copy of the Applicant’s national ID Card
  2. Copies of the parents national ID Cards/death certificate where the parent is deceased
  3. Copies of both guarantors’ national ID Card
  4. A copy of the applicant’s admission letter and KCSE result slip/certificate
  5. A copy of the applicant’s Bank ATM/Bank card (for Government sponsored students only)
  6. A copy of the applicant’s Smart Card from the institution
  7. One recent colored passport size photograph of the applicant.

How do I apply for the loan or download the application forms?

Applications for HELB loan are usually done through the HELB student’s application portal. ( www.helb.co.ke )  Interested applicants will be required to log in to the student’s portal to initiate the application and download the application forms.

How to apply for KUCCPS 2019/2020 Inter-University Transfer

How much loan can one get?

In accordance with the current Cost Sharing Policy, a student is required to pay Kshs.50,000/- per year to train at a public university. Out of this amount, HELB can award a maximum loan and bursary of Kshs.50,000/- and a bursary of Kshs.8,000.

How do I check for my loan?

  1. Access the HELB website and enter your ID number
  2. Send an email to requesting for your statement to contactcentre@helb.co.ke.
  3. Call HELB on 0722052000
  4. Email contactcentre@helb.co.ke

When can one apply for a HELB loan?

HELB places advertisements in the print media in which it invites applications for loans. The Board maintains a deadline and those applications received after the deadline without justifiable reasons are not processed.

When are Loan Awards released?

HELB releases loan results before the new academic year starts. Thereafter, students who fail to secure a loan or are awarded inadequate amounts are encouraged to appeal. Each appeal is reviewed on its own merit. If one fails to get a loan, the following could be possible reasons:

  1. a) The student may not have provided adequate information about him/herself as requested
  2. b) The student may have provided false information on the loan application form.

I don’t have an ID card; can I apply for a HELB loan?

Unfortunately, this is not possible at the moment. The national ID is proof of attainment of majority age. The HELB Loan Application form is a contract and legally we are not in a position to enter into a contract with a minor.

Is it compulsory to apply for a HELB loan?

No. You should apply for a HELB loan only if you are in need of the funds.

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

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.

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

If I discontinue my education, do I have to pay the 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)

What if I can’t remember my password for the HELB Online Portal?

Use the “forgot password” option available on the portal to recover your account

What if I can’t see the HELB portal activation link on my email?

Please check your junk or spam emails

Why is my ‘Application Form Defective’?

If any or all of the following are missing then the application is defective and your form will not be processed:

  1. Missing signatures and stamps: i.e. applicants’ signature, parents/guardian, priest, Chief or Assistant chief, Commissioner of Oaths or Magistrate and bank. Please note that signatures and stamping is mandatory.
  2. Missing documents: if any of the documents on the checklist haven’t been attached then the form will be termed defective. These include: KCSE result slip, Admission letter; if orphaned, copy/copies of parent/s death certificate; if sponsored in High school, a confirmation letter from the school or sponsor and a colored passport size photo which is to be attached to the form before submission.
  3. Scanned copies: the forms to be submitted should be the original copies and not scanned copies, if one submits the scanned copy then it is termed defective since it’s not the original.
  4. 2nd & Subsequent loan application forms: All the subsequent application forms MUST be signed and stamped by the Dean of students.

In case of any queries, how do i contact HELB customer service team?

www.helb.co.ke

Student Service Centre: Mezzanine 1 – University Way, Nairobi

Email: contactcentre@helb.co.ke

Tel: 0711052000

HELB News Portal

Kuccps Helb Loan 2021-2022

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The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has opened the student loan applications for 2021 to 2022. You can now apply for the various loans; for both new and continuing students.

The loan products that are available include:

  • Undergraduate Student Loan,
  • TVET Student Loan,
  • Afya Elimu Student Loan,
  • Post Graduate Scholarship,
  • Jielimishe Loan,
  • KRA Staff TRF Loan and
  • Civil Servants TRF Loan.

It is important to note how to apply for these loans and deadlines (See table below);

PRODUCT APPLICATION CATEGORY APPLICATION MODE APPLICATION DEADLINE
Undergraduate Student Loan First Time HELB Student Portal 31st December, 2021
Undergraduate Student Loan Second & Subsequent Times HELB App or USSD Code *642# 30th October, 2021
TVET Student Loan First Time HELB Student Portal 31st December, 2021
TVET Student Loan Second & Subsequent Times HELB App or USSD Code *642# 31st December, 2021
Afya Elimu Student Loan Second & Subsequent Times HELB App or USSD Code *642# 31st October, 2021
Post Graduate Scholarship Post Graduate Students HELD Student Portal 31st Aug 2021
Jielimishe Loan Employed Students HELB Student Portal 30th June 2022
KRA Staff TRF Loan KRA Staff HELB Student Portal 30th June 2022
Civil Servants TRF Loan Civil Servants HELB Student Portal 30th June 2022
HELB News Portal

Higher Education Loans Board, HELB, to publish names of defaulters since 1975 on newspapers; This is what you should do

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The Higher Education Loans Board, HELB, has given defaulters a period of 30 days to clear their outstanding loan balances. The Loans agency has threatened to publish names and photographs of all defaulters. HELB will at the same time take legal action against the defaulters.

Here is the notice from HELB;

NOTICE: PUBLISHING NAMES AND PICTURES OF UNIVERSITY LOAN DEFAULTERS

The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) is a State Corporation established in July 1995 by an act of Parliament, the Higher Education Loans Board Act, CAP 213A of the Laws of Kenya. HELB is mandated to provide loans, bursaries and scholarship to Kenyan students pursuing higher education in recognized institutions of higher learning and to recover loaned out funds from the beneficiaries.

HELB wishes to notify the general public and loan defaulters that the HELB student loan is a government debt which should be repaid as per the terms and conditions on which it was advanced.
However, some beneficiaries who are in default have not responded to previous communication addressed to them yet the funds received from loan repayment are used to support the current needy students therefore sustained default hinders funding of other deserving Kenyan youth.

Please take note that the names and pictures of HELB loan beneficiaries who have defaulted repayment of the loan from 1975 to date shall be published in the leading newspapers after expiry of 30 days from the date of this notice and thereafter legal action may ensue against each defaulter as stipulated in the HELB Act.

Beneficiaries who are not servicing their loans are therefore advised as follows:

  1. Get in touch with HELB via dru@helb.co.ke for particulars of their loan accounts and any other inquiry.
  2. Loan status may be confirmed via the loanee portal on the website http://www.helb.co.ke; USSD Code #642# or HELB App through Google playstore.
  3. Loan Repayment Options are available online on https://www.helb.co.ke/repay-loan/

Related News: Guide to the helb mobile short code used for loan repayment application and disbursement status

Here are links to the most important news portals:

Repaying your Student Loan

Undergraduate Loan Repayment starts within one year of completion of studies or within such a period as the Board decides to recall the loan whichever is earlier. However, you can make voluntary payments before or after you complete your studies to reduce your loan balance.

Completion of Loan Repayment

Upon completion of loan repayment, kindly seek clearance from HELB. Please note that only HELB and not your employer can confirm your loan repayment status. HELB shall confirm loan repayment completion by issuing certificate of clearance. For clearance, please fill in the HELB Enquiry form.

Over Repayment

If you overpay your loan, you will receive a refund from HELB and not your employer. To claim refund, please fill in the Loan Recovery Enquiry form.

Click here to access HELB Enquiry Form

Jielimishe Loans (for salaried students)

Jielimishe Loans are due for repayment immediately upon disbursement. Successful applicants shall be notified via e-mail.

Loanee Obligations

All loanees [HELB loan beneficiaries] are required to start repayment after a period of one year on completion of studies, or within such a period as the Board may decide to recall the loan whichever is the earlier (Section 15 HELB Act). Paying the higher education loans at an early age reduces an individual’s financial burden in midlife when one is bringing up a family, paying a mortgage as well as planning for retirement. Among other advantages of paying the loans include; reduction of the number of loans that an individual has hence avoid being blacklisted with the Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) hence one can easily get a bank loan.

To ease your repayment, the Board has developed several different modes of repayment that suits the loanees who are employed and self-employed such as check off system, mobile payment that include M-Pesa, Airtel among others.

Therefore your obligation as a Loanee under the Act is to;

  • Inform the Board of your contact addresses (section 15 (a) HELB Act),
  • Begin repayment of your loan together with the interest accrued thereon (Section 15(b) HELB Act),
  • Facilitate the deduction and remittance of the loan to the Board – (Section 15 (c) HELB Act).

EMPLOYERS

Employers Obligations

The Higher Education Loans Board Act, 1995 demands that employers adhere to the law as stipulated below:

  • Disclose Loanees: Inform the Board that they have employed loanee(s). This should be done within three months from the date of employment. (Section 16(1) (a) of the HELB Act)
  • Deduct from the wages or remuneration of the loanee(s) the amount of any loan as instructed by the Board (Section 16(i)(b) of the HELB Act)
  • Discharge/remit the amount deducted from the loanee’s wages or remuneration

LOAN REPAYMENT METHODS

HELB offers various loan repayment methods as follows:

Local Repayment Methods

Mobile Payment Services: M-PESA

Using M-PESA (Safaricom) Money Transfer:

  • Select pay bill option
  • Enter HELB business number as 200800
  • Enter your national ID number as your account number
  • Enter amount you want to pay
  • Enter your secret PIN number
  • Confirm transaction and send

Note: The transaction reflects in your statement immediately after the transaction.

Bank Deposit

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:

Bank Account Number Branch Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
Kenya Commercial Bank 1103 266 314 University-way SWIFT CODE : KCBLKENX
Family Bank 035 000 024 971 Family Bank Towers SWIFT CODE : FABLKENAXXX
Co-operative Bank 011290 612 228 00 University-way SWIFT CODE : KCOOKENA
Barclays bank 077 501 8216 Barclays Plaza SWIFT CODE : BARCKENX
Standard chartered Bank 010 801 826 4700 Koinange street SWIFT CODE : SCBLKENX
Equity bank 055 029 357 3408 Equity Center SWIFT CODE : EQBLKENA
National Bank of Kenya 010 016 039 1100 Harambee Avenue SWIFT CODE :NBKEKENX
Citibank 300 040 012 Nairobi SWIFT CODE : CITIKENA
SBM Bank 0332 084 215 001 Delta House SWIFT CODE : SBMKENA
NCBA Bank Kenya
 1002 247 638 NIC House SWIFT CODE : CBAFKENX
Jamii Bora Bank 1174 852 7001 Koinange street SWIFT CODE : CIFIKENAXXX

Diaspora Repayment Methods

Wave
  • You can make payments instantly from the US and Canada through Wave via KCB account number 1103266314.
  • Go to www.sendwave.com to update/download the app and then make transfers immediately.
  • Please forward the wave email notification as well as your ID NUMBER to OnlinePayments@helb.co.ke
 World Remit
  • Log in to www.worldremit.com
  • Select the ‘Bank Deposit’ service from the blue ‘Send to’ box on this page
  • Choose whether to make the transfer to a Kenyan shilling (KES) or US dollar (USD) account
  • Enter the amount you want to transfer
  • We’ll show you the highly competitive exchange rate you’ll receive and any fees upfront
  • Enter recipient’s details KCB ACCOUNT NUMBER 1103266314
  • Pay online using a credit or debit card
  • Use your ID number as the reference
  • You and your recipient will receive SMS and email notification once the transfer is complete
  • Please forward the wave email notification as well as your ID NUMBER to OnlinePayments@helb.co.ke

HELB Products

Important Links For You, Click below: