Thousands of students joining universities and colleges this year are expected to start applying for government loans in July after the completion of the ongoing placement process by Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service.
Higher Education Loans Board Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Monari said the loan application portal is likely to open during the second week of July.
Speaking during the Sema na Spox programme on Kenya Broadcasting Corporation on May 28, Monari said HELB is currently waiting for KUCCPS to finalise placement of students before activating the online system.
“I want to assure all students, parents and stakeholders that they should be able to apply for their loans online when we open. We are just waiting for KUCCPS to complete their placement so that we can open, most probably by the second week of July,” he said.
The announcement comes as many students and parents continue anxiously waiting for university and TVET placement results ahead of the September intake.
KUCCPS recently extended its application timelines, with the university application portal set to close on June 1 while the TVET application window will remain open until June 8.
Monari said once the placement process is complete, HELB will immediately open applications for first-time students and later communicate timelines for continuing learners.
He also assured students struggling financially that the board will continue supporting eligible learners under the government’s new higher education funding model.
“In the old funding model, not all students used to get loans. Now all the students are getting loans. I want to give the commitment that this shall continue,” he said.
Once applications open, first-time applicants will be required to register through the HELB student portal using personal and academic details.
Among the requirements are KCPE and KCSE index numbers, a valid email address, phone number, passport photo, National ID or birth certificate for minors, parents’ ID details, guarantor information and sponsorship documents where applicable.
Continuing students will be able to apply through the online portal, the HELB mobile app or the USSD service.
According to the 2026/27 budget estimates, the government has allocated KSh56.7 billion to HELB to support university and college students across the country.
Monari said the board is also exploring other ways of raising funds beyond Treasury support and loan repayments to sustain higher education financing.
On loan repayment, the HELB boss clarified that all graduates in employment are expected to begin repaying their loans, not just those working in government.
However, unemployed graduates and those earning low incomes can still apply for penalty waivers after verification of their employment status.
