HELB Opens Loan and Scholarship Applications for 2025/2026 Academic Year
The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has officially launched its loan and scholarship application portal for the 2025/2026 academic year. This opportunity is open to undergraduate and TVET students, especially those who sat for their KCSE examinations in 2024.
The announcement comes shortly after Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba released the 2025 placement results for universities and colleges.
These placements were managed by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), setting the stage for newly admitted students to seek financial assistance.
Students applying for HELB loans for the first time are required to submit their applications through the Higher Education Financing (HEF) portal, which can be accessed at www.hef.co.ke. On the other hand, continuing students are advised to apply using the HELB mobile application or by dialing *642# on their phones.
In an official public notice issued on Wednesday, HELB encouraged all eligible students to apply as early as possible to avoid last-minute delays and complications.
Early application will also help ensure smooth processing of loans and scholarships ahead of the upcoming September intake. The application window will remain open until August 31, 2025.
“We have now opened the portal. The 2025–2026 First-Time and Subsequent Applications for Undergraduate and TVET Loans and Scholarships are officially open.
First-time applicants should visit www.hef.co.ke, while continuing students can use the HELB mobile app or dial *642# to submit their applications,” HELB stated in its announcement.
These financial aid options are part of the government’s updated funding model. The loans and scholarships are intended to assist students in covering tuition fees and personal upkeep expenses.
Beneficiaries include students from both public and private universities, as well as those enrolled in TVET institutions across Kenya.
The opening of the loan application portal follows Education CS Ogamba’s announcement of placement results.
Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday in Nairobi, Ogamba revealed that 244,563 candidates had qualified for university admission, and out of these, 201,695 submitted placement applications to various institutions.
According to KUCCPS, a total of 310,502 students have so far been placed into various academic programs in universities and colleges nationwide. Most of these placements consist of students who completed their KCSE in 2024.
In this latest round of university placements, nursing stood out as one of the most highly sought-after courses. Among the 2024 KCSE candidates, nursing attracted one of the largest numbers of applications.
At the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), over 27,000 students applied to pursue nursing programs at diploma and certificate levels.
In a related development, HELB recently issued a public warning about rising cases of fraud targeting loan applicants. In a notice released on Monday, June 23, the board cautioned students to remain vigilant against scammers posing as HELB officials.
These fraudsters often claim to offer help with the application process, only to swindle money from unsuspecting applicants.
HELB emphasized that all communication regarding loans and scholarships should be treated with caution unless verified through official channels. Students are advised not to share personal or financial details with unknown individuals or unverified sources.
As the new academic year approaches, students are encouraged to complete their applications early and stay informed through HELB’s official website and platforms.
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