HELB offers loans to university and college students to pay fees and upkeep. This guide shows you exactly how to apply online from start to finish.
What is HELB?
HELB stands for Higher Education Loans Board. Government agency that gives loans to students. Helps you pay university or college fees. Also provides upkeep money for living expenses. Loans must be repaid after completing studies. Interest rates are favorable compared to banks. Application is done entirely online.
Who Can Apply?
Kenyan citizens studying in accredited institutions. University students in public or private universities. TVET (Technical and Vocational) students. Students in diploma and certificate courses. Must be admitted to a recognized course. Need valid admission letter from your institution. Must have financial need.
What You Need Before Starting
Valid national ID number. KRA PIN number (must get this first). Active phone number. Email address. Admission letter or student ID number. Father’s and mother’s ID numbers and names. Two guarantors’ details (family or guardians). Bank account details in your name. Internet connection and device.
Example: If you don’t have KRA PIN, apply for one first on iTax portal—it’s required.
Step 1: Visit HELB Website
Open your web browser. Type www.helb.co.ke in the address bar. Press Enter to load the website. Wait for the HELB homepage to appear. Look for blue and white design with HELB logo.
Example: Make sure it’s “helb.co.ke”—the official website. Don’t use other sites claiming to help with applications.
Step 2: Find Application Portal
On the homepage, look for the navigation menu. Find a link saying “Apply for Loan” or “Student Portal”. Click on it. You might also see “New Loan Application” button. Click to open the application page.
Example: The application link is usually prominently displayed since it’s a main service.
Step 3: Register New Account
On the login page, look for “Register” or “New User” link. Click it since you’re applying for first time. If you applied before, just log in with existing details. For new applicants, the registration form opens.
Example: Returning students who already applied just click “Login” and skip to Step 9.
Step 4: Enter Your ID Number
On the registration form, find “ID Number” box. Type your national ID number carefully. Use numbers only, no spaces or dashes. This is your main identifier in the system. Double-check it’s correct.
Example: If your ID is 12345678, enter 12345678.
Step 5: Enter KRA PIN
Find the box labeled “KRA PIN”. Type your KRA PIN exactly as shown on your certificate. It has 11 characters with letters and numbers. Format: A001234567B. This is mandatory—you cannot proceed without it.
Example: KRA PIN: A123456789Z
Step 6: Provide Contact Details
Enter your active mobile phone number. Format: 0712345678 or +254712345678. Type your email address carefully. Check for spelling mistakes. You’ll receive important notifications here. Make sure you can access both phone and email.
Example:
- Phone: 0722123456
- Email: john.kamau@gmail.com
Step 7: Create Password
Think of a strong password you’ll remember. Type it in the “Password” box. Must be at least 8 characters. Include capital letters, small letters, and numbers. Type exactly the same password in “Confirm Password” box.
Example: Good password: Helb@2026 Bad password: password
Step 8: Complete Registration
Fill in any remaining required fields. Tick the terms and conditions checkbox. Complete CAPTCHA if shown. Click “Submit” or “Register” button. Wait for confirmation message. You might receive SMS or email confirmation.
Example: Save your username and password somewhere safe.
Step 9: Log In to Your Account
Go to the HELB student portal login page. Enter your ID number as username. Enter the password you created. Click “Login” or “Sign In” button. Your student dashboard will load.
Example: If login fails, check that ID and password are correct—passwords are case-sensitive.
Step 10: Start Loan Application
On your dashboard, look for “New Application” or “Apply for Loan”. Click this button or link. A long application form will open. The form has many sections to fill. Take your time—you can save and continue later.
Example: Don’t rush—gather all required information before starting to fill the form.
Step 11: Fill Personal Information
Enter your full names as on ID. Date of birth. Gender. County of origin. Constituency and ward. Marital status. Disability status if applicable. Phone number and email (should already be there).
Example: Fill each field carefully. County might be Nairobi, Constituency Westlands, Ward Kitisuru.
Step 12: Enter Parent/Guardian Details
You need both parents’ information. Father’s full name and ID number. Mother’s full name and ID number. Their phone numbers if available. If parent is deceased, indicate this. If you don’t know a parent, mark as “Unknown”.
Example:
- Father: James Kamau Mwangi, ID: 1234567
- Mother: Mary Wanjiru Mwangi, ID: 2345678
Step 13: Add Guarantor Information
HELB requires two guarantors. Usually parents or close relatives. For each guarantor, enter: Full name. ID number. Phone number. Relationship to you. Physical address.
Example:
- Guarantor 1: Father (James Kamau, ID: 1234567, Phone: 0722111222)
- Guarantor 2: Uncle (Peter Njoroge, ID: 3456789, Phone: 0733222333)
Step 14: Enter Institution Details
Select your institution from dropdown menu. If university, choose the specific university. If college, choose the college. Enter your admission or registration number. Select course name from list. Enter year of study (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.). Expected year of completion.
Example:
- Institution: University of Nairobi
- Course: Bachelor of Commerce
- Year of Study: 1
- Admission Number: J12/1234/2025
Step 15: Enter Bank Account Details
Provide your bank account information. Bank name from dropdown menu. Branch name. Account number. Account must be in your name. HELB disburses loan money to this account.
Example:
- Bank: KCB Bank
- Branch: Thika Road
- Account: 1234567890
Step 16: Specify Loan Amount
Indicate how much you’re requesting. There are categories: Fees loan (paid directly to university). Upkeep loan (paid to your account). Enter the amounts you need. Don’t exceed maximum allowed per category. System shows maximum amounts allowed.
Example:
- Fees Loan: KES 45,000 (per year)
- Upkeep Loan: KES 15,000 (per year)
Step 17: Upload Required Documents
Look for “Upload Documents” section. You need to attach: Scanned copy of your ID (both sides). Admission letter from university. Fee structure from your institution. Any other documents listed. Click “Choose File” for each document. Select file from your device. Upload.
Example: Save documents as PDF or JPEG, less than 2MB each. Name files clearly like “ID_Front.pdf”.
Step 18: Review Application
Scroll through entire application form. Check every section for accuracy. Verify names are spelled correctly. Confirm all ID numbers are right. Make sure phone numbers are correct. Review guarantor information. Check bank details carefully.
Example: One wrong digit in ID or account number can delay your loan processing.
Step 19: Submit Application
After reviewing everything, find “Submit” button. Usually at the bottom of the form. Click it once and wait. Don’t click multiple times. System will process your application. You’ll see a confirmation message.
Example: Note down your application reference number when it appears—you’ll need it to track your application.
Step 20: Get Confirmation
After submission, check your email. HELB sends confirmation of receipt. Check your SMS—you might receive notification. Log back into portal to verify application was submitted. Status should show “Submitted” or “Under Review”.
Example: Save the confirmation email. Your application reference might be REF123456789.
How to Check Application Status
Log into HELB student portal. Go to “My Applications” or “Application Status”. You’ll see your application listed. Status shows: Submitted, Under Review, Approved, Rejected, or Disbursed. Click on application for more details. Check regularly for updates.
Example: Status changes as HELB processes your application. Can take 2-8 weeks.
What Happens After Approval
You’ll receive email and SMS notification. Log in to see approved amount. HELB disburses in two parts: Fees loan goes directly to your university. Upkeep loan goes to your bank account. Check with your university to confirm they received fees. Check your bank account for upkeep money.
Example: Disbursement happens per semester or term depending on institution.
Loan Repayment Information
Repayment starts one year after completing studies. You can also start repaying while studying. HELB calculates monthly installments based on amount borrowed. Interest rate is around 4% annually (cheaper than banks). Can repay via Mpesa, bank, or online. Paybill Number: 555555. Account: Your ID number.
Example: If you borrowed KES 200,000 total, monthly repayment might be around KES 2,000-3,000.
Common Problems and Solutions
KRA PIN not recognized: Make sure PIN is correct with exact format. Spaces and dashes matter—enter exactly as on certificate. If still failing, verify PIN on iTax portal first.
Institution not in dropdown: Make sure your institution is HELB-accredited. Contact HELB to add it if it’s genuinely accredited.
Documents won’t upload: Check file size is under 2MB. Use PDF or JPEG format only. Try from computer instead of phone. Clear browser cache.
Application not submitting: Make sure all required fields are filled. Red asterisks (*) show mandatory fields. Check for error messages in any section. Try different browser.
Parents’ IDs rejected: Use exact ID numbers from their cards. If parent doesn’t have ID, select “Not Applicable” or “Unknown” option.
Important Tips
Apply early—HELB processes thousands of applications. Ensure all information is accurate—errors cause delays. Keep copies of all documents you upload. Respond quickly if HELB requests additional information. Check your application status regularly. Update your contact details if they change. Never pay agents—application is free and you can do it yourself.
Appeal if Rejected
If application is rejected, read the reason given. You can appeal the decision. Log into portal and select “Appeal”. Provide additional information or documents. Explain your situation clearly. Appeals are reviewed within 2-4 weeks.
HELB Allocation Criteria
HELB considers several factors: Your family’s financial background. Number of siblings in school. Parents’ employment status. Your academic performance. Type of institution and course. Available HELB funds that year. Not everyone gets full amount requested.
Example: Students from needy families get priority. Maintain good grades to improve chances.
Contact HELB for Help
If you have problems, contact HELB. Call: 0709-053-000 or 020-209-2340. Email: info@helb.co.ke. Visit HELB offices: Anniversary Towers, University Way, Nairobi. Check website FAQ section: www.helb.co.ke. Social media: HELB Kenya on Facebook and Twitter. Huduma Centres can provide basic guidance.
Application Deadlines
HELB opens application windows at specific times. Usually April-June for first-year students. September-October for continuing students. Check HELB website for exact dates. Apply within the window—late applications rejected. Set reminders for application periods.
Example: If you miss the window, you’ll wait for next cycle—usually next academic year.
Cost of Application
HELB loan application is completely FREE. You don’t pay anything to apply. Beware of scammers asking for money. Do everything yourself online. Only pay fees to your university, not HELB. If someone demands payment for HELB application, it’s a scam.
HELB loans have helped millions of Kenyans get education they couldn’t afford. Apply early, provide accurate information, and maintain good academic performance. Your education investment will pay off in your future career.