A Comprehensive Guide to the HELB Student Portal

The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) is a state corporation in the Ministry of Education that provides financial assistance to Kenyan students pursuing higher education in recognized institutions both within and outside Kenya. HELB aims to make higher education accessible to all Kenyan citizens, and the HELB Student Portal is a key tool in achieving this goal. This article provides a detailed guide to the HELB Student Portal, covering everything from registration and login to the services available and data safety measures.

What is HELB?

The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) is a statutory state corporation in the Ministry of Education. The Board was established by an Act of Parliament, the ‘Higher Education Loans Board Act’ Cap 213A. Kenyan citizens often use the term ‘HELB’ to describe loans received from this Board. The Board manages the funds to give loans to Kenyan students who want to obtain higher education at recognized institutions within and outside Kenya.

Overview of the HELB Student Portal

The HELB Student Portal is a platform designed to simplify the process of applying for and managing student loans. It serves as a central hub for students to access various HELB services, including loan applications, statements, and repayment options. The portal is designed to be user-friendly, with all links to services at the fingertips of the user.

HELB Loan Options

HELB offers various loan options tailored to different educational paths:

TVET Loan

The Technical, Vocational & Education Training (TVET) loan is available to students pursuing Certificates, Diploma, and Higher National Diploma courses in select Public Universities, University Colleges, Public National Polytechnics, and approved TVET Colleges under the Ministry of Education.

The TVET loan comes with a ledge fee of Ksh.1000 per year and an interest rate of 4% per annum. Once students have met the application requirements on the HELB portal and been approved, the Board disburses the funds within 14 days before the start of the semester.

Loan repayment starts within one year of study completion. However, it can also begin when the Board recalls the loan. Students can make voluntary payments before or after their studies to reduce their loan balance. Additionally, TVET loans are repayable for a maximum of 48 months. TVET loanees can borrow up to Ksh.40,000 with Ksh. 26,420 going directly to tuition and Kshs. 13,580 to the student’s bank account as upkeep.

Undergraduate Loan

The Undergraduate Loan is awarded to students strictly pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Certificate, Diploma, Pre-University and Postgraduate students do not qualify for this loan.

The student has to be in a Public or Chartered Private University within East Africa, placed through KUCCPS (Kenya Universities Colleges Central Placement Service), self-sponsored, or Parallel and Module II.

The Undergraduate loan has a set of requirements, dependent on the type of application. And like TVET, funds are given 14 days before the semester begins.

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The loan has an interest rate of 4% per annum and Kshs. 1,000 ledger per year. Repayment starts within one year of completion of studies or such a period as the Board decides to recall the loan. The loan is repayable for a maximum of 120 months. The maximum undergraduate loan awarded is Ksh.60,000 for secondary and first-time applicants. The loan is split to cater for tuition fees and upkeep for students placed by KUCCPS. However, self-sponsored students get all the money directly transferred to the university once a year as tuition fees.

Jielimishe Loan

Jielimishe loan is eligible to employed or working students pursuing Professional Courses, Higher National Diplomas, Bachelors, Postgraduate-Diploma, and Masters or PhD degrees in Kenya. The loan is available in variations, depending on the student's employment.

Similarly, there are various requirements for loan applicants. Like the other HELB loans, the Jielimishe loan has an interest rate of 4% per annum and ledger fees of ksh.1000 per year.

However, repayment is due a month after receiving the loan. The Board has a monthly check-off system from the employer’s payroll. The loan is repayable for a maximum of 72 months. The Jielimishe loan allows students to borrow up to 90% of the program fees, with a limit of Ksh. 600,000. Under this loan is the Civil Servants Training Revolving Fund, awarded strictly to civil servants who can borrow between Kshs. 30,000 and Kshs. 500,000. In addition, KRA staff have access to the KRA Staff Training Revolving Fund, where they can borrow up to Kshs. 500,000.

HELB Student Portal Login Process

Accessing the HELB Student Portal is a straightforward process.

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Registering on the HELB Student Portal

If you’re a new user, you’ll need to register on the HELB Student Portal.

Services Available on the HELB Student Portal

The HELB Student Portal offers a wide array of services to its users.

HELB Student Portal Account Dashboard

Once you log in, you will be taken to the HELB Student Portal Account Dashboard.

HELB Distribution Frequency

HELB loan allocation happens twice yearly at the beginning of the first and second semesters. Applicants are, however, encouraged to start the HELB loan application one month prior for quick processing and a better chance at winning the loan. The Board releases the funds two weeks before the start of the semester, not sooner.

The Board advises students to manage their HELB loans well to pay for tuition, books, stationery, accommodation, and subsistence. Therefore, a student can use a single HELB loan for more than one semester, depending on the amount and with proper management.

Data Safety on the HELB Student Portal

One of the top priorities of the HELB Student Portal is to ensure the safety of user data. The portal does not store any information or data in its database. It only uses links to access various facilities of HELB.

HELB Student Portal Mobile App

The HELB Portal Links App is a convenient way to access HELB services and student information with just a click. This app is free of charge and does not contain any annoying ads.

Updates and Upgrades on the HELB Student Portal

To improve user experience, the HELB Student Portal regularly receives general updates and upgrades.

Accessing HELB Services with Portal Links

The HELB Student Portal is designed to be user-friendly, with all links to services at the fingertips of the user.

HELB Vs. Other Loans

The issue that many students face with HELB loans is repayment. The Ksh.5,000 fine charged on every defaulted month increases the total month payable. Many defaulters complain of total amounts exceeding the initial loan. As such, some students opt for other loans, including:

KCB Masomo Loan. Students with an active KCB account for 3 months, salaried or have a guardian qualify for this loan. It has an interest rate of 13% per annum, negotiation fees of 2.5%, and an excise duty of 20% of negotiation fees. The loan has a ksh.100,000 to 4 million limits and is repayable for up to 24 months.
AMREF Sacco Higher Education Loan. Students in university and college qualify for this loan. The maximum loan application is 3.5 times a member’s deposit. on reducing balance (6.5% p.a.). In addition, the loan is repayable for up to 24 months.

It is worth noting, however, that The High Court has prohibited HELB from demanding fines that exceed the prior borrowed amount.

Seeking Assistance

Should you need any assistance or have any inquiries, the HELB Student Portal provides various avenues for reaching out. If you forget your password, don’t worry!

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