Every year, the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) processes and disburses upkeep funds to university and college students in batches, based on year of study and time of application. These are students largely placed by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) to pursue undergraduate or diploma studies countrywide.
The processing of HELB loans follows five main stages: Registered, Verified, Allocated, Disbursement in Progress, and finally Fully Disbursed.
These stages have timelines and applicants must understand what they mean as they wait for the government to wire the money to their respective accounts for tuition and upkeep.
Here is a simplified guide, explaining all the approval stages and what you should know:
HELB Stages Explained
For first-time applicants, the process begins by visiting the HELB website or HEF website to access the Student Portal. Applicants should click on “Register” to create an account.
Applicants should then confirm whether they have a National ID and enter their ID number. Those without a National ID can instead provide their KCSE Index Number.
They must provide a valid email address and create a password before clicking “Register” to complete the account creation process.
Once the account has been created, applicants should check their email inbox, including the Spam or Junk folder, for an activation message.
They should activate the account through the email before logging into the Student Portal.
The next stage is Verified, when HELB reviews the information and documents the applicant submitted. Applications found to contain errors or inconsistencies may be cancelled during this process.
Once an application is allocated, the student can see the amount of funding they have been awarded.
Loan allocations may vary depending on the applicant’s assessed funding band, with amounts ranging from KSh40,000 to KSh60,000 according to the information provided.
The status then moves to Disbursement in Progress when HELB begins releasing funds. HELB makes payments in batches, with each batch identifying a group of students whose funds are scheduled for processing.
The final stage is Fully Disbursed, which indicates that the allocated loan funds have been released.
Students whose applications are still marked Registered or have not yet reached Verified are advised to remain patient as processing continues.
How to Track Your Loan Progress
Students can monitor the progress of their HELB loans through several channels, including USSD, the online portal, and the HELB mobile app.
Using the USSD Code
Students can dial *642# on their mobile phones and follow the prompts to access their HELB loan information.
They will need to register or log in using their PIN before checking details such as loan allocation, disbursement, and balance status.
Using the Online Portal
Students can also track their loan progress through the HEF portal. After logging in with their registered account details, they can access the Loanees Portal or self-service section to view their loan statement, allocations, and repayment history.
Using the HELB App
Another option is the official HELB mobile app, available through the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Students can log in using their registered phone number and PIN to monitor their loan status and access other loan information.
