The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has responded to growing complaints from students struggling to activate their accounts on the Higher Education Financing (HEF) Portal, offering fresh guidance on how to resolve the issue.
In a notice released on Wednesday, August 5, HELB explained that an activation email is automatically sent to a student’s personal email address immediately after they complete the registration process on the portal.
However, students who cannot find the email have been advised to first check their spam or junk folders before assuming it was not delivered.
The board also reminded applicants that the activation link is only valid for three hours from the time it is sent. If the link expires before the account is activated, students will have to register again on the HEF Portal to receive a new activation email.
“Kindly proceed to register afresh on the portal and ensure to click on the activation link under your inbox, spam or junk folder within three hours before it expires,” HELB said.
This was meant to ensure that students do not experience any unnecessary delays in gaining access to the student dashboard and making an application for financial assistance.
At the same time, HELB noted that students with account issues can get help through the agency’s communication channels and social media pages.
The board added that it has urged students to be wary of scammers who might pose as official HELB representatives as some fake social media accounts and public forums have emerged during the application period. This way, students are urged not to disclose any information but provide such data using official direct messaging services only.
The explanation was necessary since some students voiced their worries about activation links that did not work while they registered for financial assistance.
As for now, applications are still open for new students looking for financial assistance to study in 2026/2027. Financial assistance will be provided to students pursuing both undergraduate and Technical and Vocational Education and Training programs.
