How to update your National ID on the HELB portal after applying as a minor
By Katemarthason Okudo, July 27, 2026Students who applied for higher education funding while they were still minors and have since obtained their National Identity Card can now update their details on the Higher Education Financing (HEF) portal without opening a new account.
In a notice shared on its official X page on Monday, July 27, 2026, the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) said applicants who initially registered using their KCSE index number should simply update their existing account with their new National ID details. According to the agency, there is no need to create another Higher Education Financing ( HEF) account after receiving a National ID card, as the existing account remains valid.
The clarification is expected to help students avoid one of the common mistakes that can delay funding applications or result in duplicate accounts being created on the portal.
How to update your National ID on the HEF portal
According to HELB, the process begins by logging into the existing HEF account that was created using the KCSE index number. Once the applicant signs in, a pop-up window prompting an ID update will automatically appear.
The applicant should then enter their National ID number together with their first name exactly as it appears on the National Identity Card before clicking the ‘Validate’ button.
HELB says that once the details have been successfully verified, another pop-up message will confirm that the National ID has been updated. The applicant should then click on the ‘Register’ tab to complete the process.
The board has emphasised that applicants should not create a new account, but instead update the one they originally opened using their KCSE index number by adding their National ID details.
Why updating your details is important
According to the Higher Education Financing (HEF) system guidelines, keeping personal information up to date helps ensure student records remain accurate throughout the funding process. Many students begin their applications before they are eligible for a National ID, making the update an important step once they receive the document.
Updating the information also helps link the student’s official identification to their existing HEF account, reducing the chances of verification issues when processing loans, scholarships and bursaries.
HELB has continued to remind applicants to follow the official procedures provided on the portal to avoid delays that may arise from incorrect information or duplicate registrations.
Students are also encouraged to confirm that the updated National ID details have been captured correctly before proceeding with any other application or funding processes.
The latest advisory follows HELB’s continued efforts to guide applicants through the Higher Education Financing process using official communication channels. In its notice, the board reiterated a simple message to applicants who registered as minors: not to create a new account but to just update the existing one using their National ID details.