If you are looking to find out how to apply for and secure Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) student loans, this article is for You.
The HELB (Higher Education Loans Board) loans are separated into two; either the Salaried Students loans or the Direct Entry Students (DES) loans.
Salaried Students Loans
This type of HELB loan is for Postgraduate (both Masters & PhD) and Undergraduate students who will be able to repay their loans while still undergoing their studies.
The Salaried Student loans are awarded and evaluated to a student based on his or her ability of to pay back while still studying at an interest rate of 12% per annum. The loans are repayable in 48 months.
Direct Entry Students (DES) Loans
This type of loan is for students who are joining public or private universities within the East African Community directly from high school either through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) or as self sponsored.
The loan amounts issued to these students Amounts range between a minimum of 35,000 Kenyan Shillings and a maximum of 60,000 Kenyan Shillings depending on the level of need.
The loans attract a 4% per annum interest. Students are required to repay their loans upon completion of their studies.
PhD are given between 60,000 Kenyan Shillings to 200,000 Kenyan Shillings, Masters students between 60,000 Kenyan Shillings and 200,000 Kenyan Shillings as well and between 60,000 Kenyan Shillings to 100,000 Kenyan Shillings for CE.
Requirements For HELB Applications
Before you begin your HELB loan application, ensure that you have
- 1 coloured passport sized photograph.
- Your admission letter from your University.
- Your National ID card.
- A functioning Bank Account.
- Your KRA Pin Certificate.
- Your Parents’ Particulars (payslips if they are employed, as well as their bank statements if they are farmers or they conduct any other business, letter of retirement or retrenchment.
- A Copy of your Parents’ or Guardians’ National ID cards.
- A Copy of your Guarantors National ID cards.
- If you are an orphan, your Parents’ Death Certificate. The copies must be certified by the district registrar of births and deaths. You can also use copies of Burial Permits certified by the district registrar of births and deaths instead.
- Your KCSE Result Slip.
- A letter from the District Medical Officer confirming physical challenge(s) if you have any.
You will also need:
- Your (the applicant)’s own declaration signature.
- Your (the applicant)’s signature on the Loan Agreement Form.
- A signature and stamp of the Advocate or Magistrate.
- Your Guarantor’s signature.
- Your Parents’ or Guardians’ signatures.
- A signature and stamp from your Priest or Pastor or Kadhi.
- A signature and stamp from the Magistrate or Commissioner for Oaths for both Guarantors.
- A signature from your Local Chief or Assistant Chief.
And now for the nitty gritty.
How To Apply For A HELB Loan
1. First visit the HELB website; https://portal.helb.co.ke/auth/register/applicants
2. Next, create a new HELB account. You will be required to type in your details i.e Names, ID Number, Email Address, and also create a Password.
3. After creating your HELB account, an activation link will be sent to the email address you registered with.
4. Next, proceed to log in to the HELB Portal using the activation link that was sent to your email.
5. After that, select the type of loan you want to apply for.
6. Once done, fill in all the required details carefully and then select save. Make sure you do Not skip any step.
7. Once the form has been filled correctly, proceed to the homepage to print the form. Ensure that you print TWO copies of the forms.
8. Once both copies of the form have been printed, cross check to ensure that all the required places have been signed by the relevant people.
9. Next, add your signature to the forms and attach all the requested documents.
10. Once done verifying that all documents and signatures are available, take a copy of the loan application to HELB offices at Anniversary Towers OR visit any of the Huduma Centres near you.
The processing time for HELB loan applications is usually 1 month on average. It can however can take more time if documents needed for your application are missing or the information you provided in your application form needs some clarification.
For further assistance you can contact the HELB team via:
TEL: 0711052000
EMAIL: contactcentre@helb.co.ke
Or by visiting their Student Service Centre at Mezzanine One (M1) Anniversary Towers.
The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) is state owned organization which was founded in 1995 to provide loans, bursaries and scholarships to students who are pursuing higher education in recognized in institutions which are recognized by the Ministry of Education of Kenya.
