15 things students need to know about HELB 2026/27 loan, scholarship applications
By Ascah Mwango, July 12, 2026The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has officially opened applications for undergraduate and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) loans and scholarships for the 2026/2027 academic year.
The application window is open to first-time applicants seeking government financial support under the Higher Education Funding (HEF) framework.
Here are 15 important things every student should know before applying:
1. Applications are now open
HELB has opened the 2026/2027 application window for eligible students joining universities and TVET institutions.
2. Applications are for first-time applicants
The current application exercise targets students applying for government funding for the first time.
3. Apply through the HEF portal
All first-time applications must be submitted through the Higher Education Fund (HEF) portal at www.hef.co.ke.
4. Wait until you receive your admission details
Students are advised to begin the application process once they have received their admission details from a recognised university or TVET institution.
5. Create an HEF student account
Applicants must create an account on the HEF Student Portal using either their National Identity Card number, or their KCSE index number if they do not yet have a national ID.
6. Activate your account
After registration, applicants must activate their accounts through the email address provided before proceeding with the application.
7. Use a phone number registered in your name
HELB requires applicants to provide a valid telephone number registered in their own name for verification purposes.
8. Complete your personal and academic profile
Applicants must fill in all required personal and academic information before submitting their scholarship and loan applications.
9. Accept the loan terms
Students applying for loans must read and accept HELB’s loan terms and conditions before submitting their applications.
10. Provide guarantor details
Loan applicants are required to provide details of two guarantors, who may include their parents.
11. Choose how you want your money disbursed
Applicants must indicate whether they prefer to receive their funds through a bank account or a mobile money platform.
12. Prepare all required documents
Applicants should have the following documents ready:
Passport-size photograph
i. Admission letter
ii. Birth certificate
iii. KCPE and KCSE index numbers and examination years
iv. National ID (for loan applicants)
13. Additional documents may be required
Where applicable, applicants must also upload:
i. Sponsorship letter if they received sponsorship in secondary school.
ii. A death certificate if one or both parents are deceased.
iii. Applicants will also need their parents’ national ID numbers and registered phone numbers.
14. Read the data privacy consent statement
Before submitting the application, students must read and agree to the collection and processing of their personal information.
15. Continuing students should not make first-time applications
Students who have previously benefited from HELB funding should not submit a first-time application.
Instead, they can apply for subsequent funding by:
i. Dialling *642#,
iii. Using the HELB Mobile App, or
iii. Applying through the M-Pesa Mini App.
HELB has encouraged all eligible students to apply early and carefully follow the application guidelines to avoid delays in processing.
“The 2026/27 first-time applications for loans and scholarships are now open. Once you receive your admission details, visit www.hef.co.ke to apply,” the board said.
The opening of the application window marks the beginning of the government’s annual student funding process for learners joining universities and TVET institutions in the 2026/2027 academic year.