How To Change HELB Details To Govt OR Self-Sponsored
The Higher Education Loans Board, commonly known as HELB supports students in higher learning institutions by providing financial assistance in terms of loans, bursaries, and scholarships to eligible candidates.
In this context, eligible candidates referring to students enrolled in public/private universities or accredited TVET institutions by either the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) or Commission for University Education (CUE)
Consequently, it is by the above enrollment criteria that provides the distinction between government sponsored and self-sponsored Helb beneficiaries respectively thereby characterizing each with its pros and cons.
Application Requirements For Helb Govt/Self-Sponsored
Although the enrollment criteria acts as a major distinguishing factor between the two(2), there are also noticeable similarities when it comes to application requirements and procedures via the Helb Student Portal
Some of the similar requirements for both applicants include;
- Copy of applicant’s national ID Card
- One recent colored passport size photo
- Copy of institution admission letter
- Copies of the parents’ national ID Cards
- Copies of both guarantors’ national ID Cards
- [Optional] Copy of death certificate of deceased parent(s)
Allocation Criteria For Helb Govt/Self-Sponsored
When it comes to allocation of funds, Helb uses the Means Testing Instrument (MTI) for both whereby distribution of funds is done on the need-level basis as demonstrated below
| Scholarship | Loan | Household | Total | |
| Vulnerable | 82% | 18% | 0% | 100% |
| Extremely Needy | 70% | 30% | 0% | 100% |
| Needy | 53% | 40% | 7% | 100% |
| Less Needy | 38% | 55% | 7% | 100% |
Allocated funds for undergraduates sponsored by the government are divided such that Ksh4,000 is channeled directly to the institution’s bank account as tuition fee while the remainder is directed to the applicant’s bank account as upkeep fee.
On the contrary, applicants for TVET loans receive a standard payment of Ksh26,400 channeled to the TVET institution, with the remainder going towards upkeep fee to the applicant’s bank account.
As for self-sponsored applicants, the allocated amount is disbursed entirely to the institution’s account.
Furthermore, disbursement for both government sponsored and self-sponsored is done as per the course’s duration.
Charges Incurred By Helb Govt/Self-Sponsored
Both categories of the above applicants attract similar charges on their allocated funds as listed below;
- Insurance charge
- Administration fee of Ksh500
- 4% loan interest rate charged annually
Loan Repayment Criteria For Govt/Self-Sponsored
Helb loan repayments begins after one(1) year of completion of the course duration and is repayable upto a maximum of four(4) years.
Repayments can be made using any of the official Helb repayment channels for both individuals and employer. Likewise, you can also claim Helb refund in instances of over-payment.
Procedure For Changing HELB Details
WARNING! Due to the critical nature regarding HELB disbursements, changing of HELB details of whatever nature should be done by either HELB officials or at any of the Huduma Centers available nationwide.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Does HELB support self-sponsored students?
Yes. HELB supports self-sponsored students but not in the same way it does to government sponsored students.
2. Does HELB accrue interest?
Yes. HELB accrues interest at the rate of 4% per year
3. Does HELB give loans to Diploma/College students?
Yes. HELB offers both scholarships and loans to diploma/college students as long as admission was done via Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) or Commission for University Education (CUE)
