How to Apply for HELB First-Time & Subsequent Loans (2025/2026) — Step-by-Step Guide

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The Higher Education Financing (HEF) Portal is now officially accepting applications for government scholarships, bursaries, and HELB loans for students enrolling in universities from the 2025/2026 academic year onwards.

This new funding model ensures that financially needy students can access quality higher education based on their level of need.

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Students who joined university before 2023 will continue to use the traditional HELB portal for subsequent loan applications.

Who Is Eligible?

• First-time applicants joining university or TVET institutions in 2025/2026 or later.
• Continuing students who joined before 2025 and want to apply for a subsequent HELB loan.

Types of HELB Loan Applications

There are two categories of undergraduate HELB loans:

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1. First-Time Application: For students applying for the first time.
2. Subsequent (2nd, 3rd, or 4th) Application: For continuing students applying for a new academic year.

Note: The number of applications you can make corresponds with your program duration (e.g., four loans for a four-year course).

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First-Time HELB Loan Application Process (2025/2026)

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Visit www.hef.co.ke.
2. Click on the Student Portal and select Create Account.
3. Register with your National ID or KCSE Index Number, email, and create a secure password.
4. Log in and select the Undergraduate First-Time Loan Application Form (LAF).
5. Complete the Financial Literacy Programme by reading provided material and answering a short quiz.
6. Fill in all the required details:
   • Personal and academic information
   • Bank account and contact details
   • Guarantor information (minimum two)
7. Submit the application online.
8. Print TWO copies of the completed Loan Application Form.
9. Have the forms signed and stamped by:
   • Guarantors
   • Commissioner of Oaths
   • Dean of Students
10. Attach the required documents (listed below).
11. Submit one copy of the form to:

• HELB Student Service Centre, Mezzanine 1, Anniversary Towers, Nairobi OR
• Any Huduma Centre countrywide

12. Retain the second copy for your own records.

Required Documents:

• A copy of the applicant’s National ID Card
• Parents’/Guardians’ ID cards or death certificate
• Guarantors’ National ID cards (2)
• Admission letter and KCSE result slip/certificate
• Bank ATM card (for GSSP students)
• Student Smart Card or student ID
• One passport-size color photo

Subsequent HELB Loan Application Process (2025/2026)

How to Apply via Mobile App:

1. Download the HELB Mobile App from Google Play Store.
2. Register using:
   • Name, National ID, KRA PIN, Email, and Safaricom number linked to M-PESA
3. Generate a login PIN and accept the license agreement.
4. Read the Financial Literacy Notes and complete the quiz.
5. Navigate to Loans > Undergraduate > Subsequent Loan Application Form (LAF).
6. Fill in the required details and submit online.
7. Confirm submission; a pop-up will show your application is successful and display a loan serial number.
8. Pay KES 1 via M-PESA to verify your mobile number.
9. Application is fully paperless; no printing required.

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