HELB opens portal for new applications

Dennis Onyancha

June 21, 2024
11:34 am

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The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has announced the opening of loan applications for first-time undergraduate and TVET Scholarships.

In a social media statement on Friday, June 21, 2024, the loans board clarified that the exercise will target only students admitted to universities and TVET trainees in TVET institutions under the Ministry of Education, applying for funding for the first time.

“If you’re a first-time applicant starting off the journey of your dreams; the New Funding Model loans and scholarships are here to fuel your dream. Applications are now open.” HELB wrote on their socials.

Application requirements

The board also shared the new simplified application process and the requirements needed by first-time applicants.

Applicants will be required to have a valid email address and telephone number, KCPE and KCSE index numbers, and year of examination.

Passport size photo in jpeg/jpg/png and copy of National ID or Maisha card (both sides in PDF).

Valid bank details or valid MPESA number (registered under the applicant’s name and ID number) or Birth certificate in PDF if applying as a minor.

HELB requirements for first time applicants. PHOTO/@HELBpage/X — HELB requirements for first-time applicants. PHOTO/@HELBpage/X

Candidates who were sponsored in secondary school will be required to present a copy of the sponsorship letter in PDF format.

Applicants will also be required to make available their parents’ or guarantors’ (who can also be parents) national identification cards and registered telephone numbers.

In cases where the parents are deceased, the applicants will be required to present copies of the death certificate in PDF format.

Funding model

Funding will be determined by evaluating applicants’ family backgrounds to ensure students from poor households are prioritized in allocations under the Variable Scholarships and Loans Funding (VSLF) or the New Funding Model (NFM) launched in May 2023.

According to the funding model, students from extremely needy households will receive 100% funding, while those from less needy households will be covered by loan financing from HELB, as has been the practice in the past.

Applicants can click on this link www.hef.co.ke to begin their application process.