The Higher Education Loans Board (Helb) has dismissed reports doing rounds on social media alleging cancellation of student loans.
A screenshot shared widely on social media indicated that the state agency had cancelled loans for some students due to budgetary constraints.
But in a notice on Thursday, September 22, Helb said the message didn’t originate from the agency and urged members of the public to ignore it.
“Beware! It has come to our attention of a photoshopped picture circulating on social media purporting that it is from HELB. This is to confirm that it is fake news,” Helb said in a tweet.
BEWARE! It has come to our attention of a photoshopped picture circulating on social media purporting that it is from HELB. This is to confirm that it is FAKE news. pic.twitter.com/87gca5FVzD
— OFFICIAL HELB PAGE (@HELBpage) September 22, 2022
Helb invites students to apply for loans
In July, Helb invited loan applications from new students in universities and TVET institutions for the academic year 2022/2023.
In a notice, HELB said that those eligible to apply are Kenyan students placed by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) and those in self-sponsored programmes in public and private universities in Kenya and the East African Community that are recognized by Commission for University Education (CUE).
“Please ensure that you read, understand, and follow the instructions provided at the beginning of the online loan application process including reading and undertaking the HELB Financial Literacy Programme,” the HELB statement read.