How to Apply for HELB As a First-Time Diploma or Certificate Student

The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) provides a simple guide for first-time applicants on how to apply for a loan.

The HELB funding is open to Kenyan students admitted to national polytechnics, technical training institutes, and vocational colleges under the Ministry of Education.

To qualify, the student must be placed either through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS).

According to HELB, the loan targets newly placed TVET students applying for the first time.

First Time Application Requirements

The students applying for the loan should be ready with the following requirements during the application process:

• A valid email address and phone number
• If 18 years and above: National ID or Maisha card
• If under 18 years: KCSE index number, Birth Certificate, and Waiting Card (if already applied for your ID)
• Student’s passport-size photo
• Parent’s ID number or Death Certificate (if parent/s deceased); for living parent/s, provide their phone number
• KCPE/KCSE index number and examination year
• Institution’s admission number
• Two guarantors’ ID numbers and phone numbers
• For KUCCPS-placed students: Bank card/ATM or a Safaricom number registered under the student’s ID

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How to Apply For HELB

To apply for a HELB loan, applicants should follow these steps:

• Visit hef.co.ke and access the Student Portal to register, create, and activate an account. Use your personal mobile number registered under your name and National ID.
• During registration, enter your National ID number (or KCSE index number for placed students under 18), a valid email address, and create a password, then click Register.
• Verify your account using the activation link sent to your email’s Inbox or Spam/Junk folder.
• Log in to the portal and complete your profile under the My Profile tab by filling in the sections for Personal Information, Residence, Education, Institution, and Parents. Upload all necessary documents at this stage.
• Navigate to the HELB menu, under the Loan Application tab, and select First Time TVET Scholarship and Loan.

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• Review and consent to the collection of personal data as outlined in the consent form, and accept the loan terms and conditions.
• Fill in your guarantors’ details and bank details as requested.
• Submit your completed application form online.
• Note: This is a fully paperless application process; no need to print or submit a physical copy.
• Track the status of your application on the portal.
• For assistance, contact HELB at contactcentre@helb.co.ke.

 Directives to Students

For first-time applications, a PDF copy of your completed application, whether for a loan, scholarship, or both, will be sent to the email address you provided for your records.

A confirmation SMS containing your loan application serial number serves as proof of a successful application for second and subsequent applications. 

Students should note that HELB does not charge any fees for accessing the loan application.