The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has issued guidance to students facing difficulties activating their Higher Education Fund (HEF) Portal accounts.
In a notice posted on Wednesday, August 5, HELB outlined the steps applicants should follow to complete the registration process.
The clarification comes after several students took to the board’s official X account to report problems receiving or using activation links while registering for funding.
One applicant said they had been unable to register despite trying for several hours.
“After 3 hours it still says index and ID already registered. It doesn’t allow registration afresh,” the student posted.
HELB Addresses Student Complaints About HEF Portal Activation Link Issues
In response to the growing complaints, HELB advised applicants who are still waiting for their activation email to first check their spam or junk folders before seeking further assistance.
It noted that the activation email is generated automatically immediately after a student completes the registration process using their personal email address.
“Still waiting on that HEF Portal activation email? Before you panic, check your Spam or Junk folder—it might already be there!” the board said.
The loans board has also encouraged applicants to complete the activation process immediately after receiving the email to avoid the link expiring.
The activation links are only valid for three hours after they are sent.
Students who fail to activate their accounts within that period have been instructed to register afresh on the HEF Portal to generate a new activation link.
“Remember, your activation link is only valid for 3 hours. If it expires, simply register afresh on the HEF Portal,” it added.
The board’s guidance comes after it spent much of the day responding to students experiencing account activation challenges.
Some applicants said they had not received activation emails despite waiting for days, while others reported registering with the wrong email address or losing access to the email account used during registration.
At the same time, HELB warned students against sharing personal information such as identity card numbers, email addresses and telephone numbers on public platforms.
The latest advisory comes as students continue submitting applications for loans and scholarships under the Higher Education Fund, with many turning to HELB’s customer support channels for assistance with registration, account activation and application-related queries.
Students Urged to Apply Early for HELB Loans and Scholarships
HELB opened applications for first-time applicants seeking undergraduate and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) loans and scholarships for the 2026/2027 academic year on July 10, ending the long wait for incoming students.
HELB urged applicants to apply early and carefully follow the prescribed application guidelines to avoid delays in processing.
The board advised students looking to benefit from the funding to submit their applications at least one month before their reporting date to allow sufficient time for processing.
Applicants are required to log into the HEF portal using their existing accounts.
Those who had initially registered using their KCSE index numbers but have since obtained National Identity Cards have been advised to update their details instead of creating new accounts.
According to HELB, applicants must have an official admission letter from the institution in which they have been placed before submitting their applications.
They will also be required to provide personal information, details of their parents or guardians, guarantors, and banking information, as well as upload the required supporting documents before completing the process.
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