HELB 2026 student loans: 12 major requirements for first-time applicants

By , July 11, 2026

The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has opened applications for the 2026/2027 first-time Undergraduate and TVET loans, scholarships and bursaries.

The application window closes on September 8, 2026, with all applications submitted online through the Higher Education Financing (HEF) Student Portal.

“2026/2027 First-Time HELB Applications are NOW OPEN! Ready to take the next step in your higher education journey? Eligible first-time applicants can now submit their applications for the HELB 2026/2027 Undergraduate and TVET loans and scholarships,” HELB announced.

HELB report on application portal.PHOTO/K24Digital screenshot.

Key requirements

1. A valid email address for the applicant (Student)
2. Valid telephone number (must be registered in your name to apply for a loan)
3. KCPE and KCSE index numbers and year of examination
4. Passport-size photo
5. Copy of your National ID (for loan application)
6. College/University admission letter
7. Your parents’ registered telephone number
8. Your parents’ national ID number
9. Death certificate if any of your parent is deceased.
10. Your birth certificate.
11. Two guarantors’ (Can be your parents) ID numbers and registered telephone numbers (for loan application)
12. Copy of the sponsorship letter if you were sponsored in Secondary school.

Application process

  1. Visit www.hef.co.ke and access the Student Portal to register, create, and activate an account (ensure you use your personal mobile number registered under your name and National ID number).
  2. During registration, input your National ID number/KCSE index number (for placed students below 18 years old), a valid email address, and create a password before clicking register.
  3. Verify your account through the activation link sent to your email’s Inbox or Spam/Junk folder.
  4. Log in to the portal and complete your profile under the My Profile tab, filling in sections regarding Personal Information, Residence, Education, Institution, and Parents. Upload all necessary documents at this stage.
  5. Navigate to the HELB menu, under the Loan Application Tab, select the First Time Undergraduate Scholarship and Loan.
  6. Review and consent to the personal data collection as outlined in the consent form, accepting the loan terms and conditions.
  7. Fill in your guarantors’ details and your bank details (for students placed by KUCCPS) as requested.
  8. Submit your completed application form online.

What next after application

If you applied for the First Time application using your KCSE index Number and you have your National ID, HELB requires that you update the details on the HEF portal before applying. Do not create a new portal account.

All applications are paperless. You are not required to print any form.

For First Time applications, a PDF version of the application done, either loan and scholarship or both, will be sent to the email address you provided for your records.

A confirmation SMS with a loan application serial number is the evidence that you have successfully applied for Second and Subsequent. Kindly save the SMS for future reference.

More Articles