The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) is the Kenyan government agency that provides student loans for higher education. Since 2023, HELB has worked alongside the Universities Fund under a student-centred funding model, which combines government scholarships, loans and household contributions.
Last checked: October 2026. Kenya’s university funding rules have been the subject of court cases and policy changes, so always check the official HELB and Higher Education Financing (HEF) websites for the latest information.
How the Funding Model Works
- Students apply once a year through the HEF portal.
- A Means Testing Instrument assesses household income and other circumstances.
- Based on the result, students may receive a Universities Fund scholarship, a HELB loan, or both, with families expected to contribute the rest.
Who Is Eligible?
- Universities Fund scholarships: Kenyan citizens placed in a public university through KUCCPS (for the 2026/27 cycle, those who sat KCSE in 2022 or later).
- HELB loans: available to eligible students at both public and private universities.
How to Apply
- Register on the Higher Education Financing (HEF) portal, or use the USSD code provided by HEF on your registered phone number.
- Complete the application with accurate household information.
- Submit within the application window. For 2026/27, it ran from 8 July to 6 September 2026.
- Track your allocation and appeal if you believe your band is wrong.
Applications are free. Never pay anyone to “help” you get a HELB loan or scholarship.
Repaying HELB Loans
HELB loans must be repaid after graduation, with repayment terms set by HELB. Keep your contact details updated and check the HELB website for repayment rules and options.
For international study options, see full scholarships for African students.
