The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has advised students experiencing issues with accessing its services through the HELB app to get in touch with the agency for assistance.
HELB has acknowledged that many students are encountering an error message while using the app. The message, “device changed,” is being displayed even though the users have not changed their devices. This has caused confusion and frustration for students who are unable to access the services they need.
In response, HELB issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, urging students facing this issue to contact them directly for help.
The statement reads, “If you’re encountering a ‘device changed’ error on the HELB app, reach out to us via direct message (DM), email at contactcentre@helb.co.ke, or call us at 0711052000.”
The timing of this problem coincides with the delays in the disbursement of funds to students who resumed school earlier this month.
University of Nairobi students, for instance, had issued an ultimatum to HELB, demanding the release of their funds before exams began. Just last week, the government allocated Ksh 19 billion for basic education and Ksh 15 billion for capitation funds.
This ongoing delay in HELB loan disbursements has been a long-standing issue that disrupts students’ academic plans every year.
The loans are meant to ease tuition payments and assist with living expenses, but the inconsistent release of these funds leaves many students struggling to cover basic costs.
Students have repeatedly raised concerns about the unpredictability of the loan disbursement schedule. This has been attributed to a variety of factors, including budget limitations, increased demand for the loans, and slow repayment rates from previous borrowers.
As the number of applicants continues to grow, HELB has faced challenges in meeting the rising financial demands, which has strained its available resources.
HELB, which was established in 1995, was designed to help bridge financial gaps for students in universities and technical colleges.
The loans are typically disbursed in installments at the start of academic terms, with amounts ranging from Ksh 35,000 to Ksh 60,000 annually, depending on financial need and the student’s course of study.
However, the frequent delays in the release of these funds have caused many students to struggle with paying tuition fees on time, potentially putting their studies at risk of being deferred.
The issues with the HELB app come at a time when the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) class of 2024 is preparing to join universities in September.
This adds more pressure to the system, as HELB is expected to manage an increasing number of new applicants.
In addition, HELB faces the challenge of being merged with the University Fund under a new funding model introduced by President William Ruto’s administration.
This new model is set to be implemented when the 2024 Form Four leavers join universities and colleges later this year.
A special committee appointed by President Ruto in September 2023 has already submitted its preliminary report, which proposes changes to the funding model.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has confirmed that these recommendations aim to address the issues with the previous model, which was met with criticism.
Join Kenyan Gen z and millennials official 2025 WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time the ongoing situation https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
Tiktok – https://www.tiktok.com/@news.hub88?_t=ZM-8sz45qJid3V&_r=1
