Students who applied for government scholarships and Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) funding for the 2026 academic year can check their funding status through the Higher Education Financing (HEF) Student Portal.
The portal allows applicants to confirm whether they have been allocated funding and view the status of their loan or scholarship application, including allocation and disbursement details.
Students can access their accounts through the “HEF Student Portal” (https://portal.hef.co.ke/), the HELB App, or the HELB USSD service.
How to Check Your HELB Loan Status
Students who have applied for government funding can follow these steps to check their allocation and disbursement status:
1. Visit the HEF Student Portal at www.portal.hef.co.ke.
2. Log in using the details provided during the application.
3. Check your application status to confirm whether funding has been allocated.
4. Review the allocation details to see the scholarship or loan amount awarded.
5. Check the disbursement section to determine whether the funds have been released.
Students can also access their HEF accounts through the HELB App or by dialling *642#.
Parents and guardians should note that allocation and disbursement information is linked to the student’s account. They can therefore ask students to log in and check the status directly.
How the Student-Centred Funding Model Works
Under the Student-Centred Funding Model, government funding for university and TVET students is determined based on assessed financial need.
HELB provides upkeep funding to eligible students to help meet expenses such as accommodation, food, transport and other day-to-day costs while they are studying.
Tuition and upkeep funding are handled differently. Tuition fees are paid directly to the respective university or TVET institution, while upkeep funds are sent to the student through the designated payment channel.
When Does HELB Disburse Loans and Scholarships?
HELB says scholarship and loan disbursements are processed at the beginning of each semester, subject to confirmation by the respective university or TVET institution.
Therefore, a student whose application has been approved may not receive the funds immediately if the institution has not completed the required confirmation process.
Students should distinguish between funding approval and actual disbursement. Approval means the student has been allocated funding, while disbursement means the funds have actually been released.
How Students Know Their HELB Upkeep Has Been Disbursed
Students receive an SMS notification from HELB through SurePay when their upkeep funds have been disbursed to their designated mobile payment account.
Students who have opted for mobile payment or an M-Pesa wallet should check the phone number linked to their HELB account and look out for the SurePay notification.
The notification confirms that the upkeep funds have been released.
How to Access HELB Upkeep Funds Through M-Pesa
Students who have opted for mobile payment can access their upkeep funds through the available M-Pesa mobile payment options, including the M-Pesa App and by dialling *642#.
After receiving the SurePay notification confirming disbursement, students can use the available mobile payment options to access their funds.
The mobile wallet allows beneficiaries to access their upkeep funds and withdraw money where applicable.
Students can also use the HELB service to apply for subsequent loans.
What Students Can Do Through HELB USSD
The HELB USSD service allows students to access various loan-related services without necessarily requiring a smartphone.
By dialling *642#, beneficiaries can access and manage several aspects of their HELB accounts.
The service can be used to:
– Check loan status
– Access loan statements
– Apply for subsequent loans
– Access upkeep funds
– Withdraw funds
– Repay HELB loans
The service is useful for students using feature phones, while smartphone users can access relevant services through the available HELB applications.
What Parents Need to Know About HELB Disbursement
Parents and guardians should understand that tuition and upkeep portions of government student funding are handled separately.
Tuition: Paid directly to the university or TVET institution and applied toward the student’s fees.
Upkeep: Paid to the student through the designated payment channel to help meet living expenses.
Parents should therefore not expect the full amount of a student’s loan or scholarship allocation to be deposited into the student’s personal account.
The amount received by each student depends on the funding allocated under the government’s higher education financing system.
Parents can encourage students to regularly check their HEF accounts for updates, especially at the beginning of a new semester.
What to Do If HELB Funds Have Not Been Disbursed
A student who has been allocated funding but has not received upkeep should first check the status displayed on the HEF Student Portal.
The student should also confirm whether their university or TVET institution has completed the required confirmation process.
If the portal indicates that the funds have already been disbursed, the student should:
– Check for the SurePay SMS notification.
– Confirm that the correct mobile payment details are linked to the account.
– Check the designated mobile wallet for the funds.
– Contact HELB through its official support channels if the issue persists.
Students should avoid assuming that an approved application means the money has already been released.
HELB processes disbursements at the beginning of the semester after receiving the necessary confirmations from universities and TVET institutions.
In summary, students should regularly check their HEF portal to distinguish between application approval, funding allocation and actual disbursement.
