The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has urged university and TVET students to keep their registered mobile money numbers consistent throughout their studies to avoid delays in receiving their loan funds.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 15, the board advised students to ensure the mobile money details they use match the information provided when applying for loans.
“One number. No confusion. Keep the same mobile money number registered with HELB throughout your studies to avoid delayed or failed disbursements,” HELB stated.
The board warned that changing mobile money numbers without updating the relevant records could affect the processing of upkeep funds and other student loan payments.
HELB Chief Executive Officer Ekwee Ethuro has previously said that incorrect student details account for a significant share of returned funds, with up to 40 per cent of the money reportedly returned due to incorrect or updated account information.
This warning follows funding woes that have been experienced by students enrolled in universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), with over 140,000 students said to be facing problems of loans and cash crunch.
First year students have similarly faced challenges due to delays in issuing of National ID cards and mismatching of index numbers with personal identification in the HEF website.
How To Find Out Whether Your Information Is Correct
Students who have faced delay in release of funds have been told to login into the HEF website and check whether their mobile money numbers, bank accounts and ID information are all up to date.
Those whose information has changed are asked to update their records so that the funds can be sent to them.
According to the board, students whose funds are returned because of incorrect account details may receive SMS notifications. Payments can then be reprocessed once the relevant information has been corrected and updated.
Students who continue experiencing problems while correcting their application details have been advised to visit the nearest Huduma Centre or HELB offices for assistance.