The Higher Education Loans Board(HELB) has announced that university students applying for loans and scholarships can now use their birth certificates to apply but this is only applicable to those who do not have national identity cards yet.
According to HELB CEO Charles Ringera, the use of the birth cerrificate is to address the issue of delay in issuance of national identity cards (ID) that has been locking out interested individuals from filing their applications.
Ringera also said that the new generation IDs can also be used during loan application ,assuring that the process has been running smoothly since the funding portal was opened.
“There has not been major issues so far because we are resolving them as they ask. People were not sure whether the new identification card would be taken in. There is also the issue of delay in issuance of ID cards but because we brought in the issue of birth certificate, we are okay,” he explained.
Some students also raised concerns over difficulty in using KCSE index numbers during loan application, which Mr Ringera clarieifed stating that only candidates who sat KCSE examination from 2022 are eligible for scholarships under the new higher education funding (HEF) model.
Here is the application guide for interested candidates:
HELB Application Requirements
The following requirements are needed from the applicant:
Applicant’s Details
- A valid email address and telephone number
- KCPE and KCSE index numbers and year of examination.
- Passport size photo(in jpeg/jpg/Png)
- A Copy of the National ID / Maisha card (both sides in PDF)
- Valid bank details or valid MPESA number (registered under the applicant’s name and ID number)
- Copy of Birth certificate in PDF (if applicant is underage or still waiting to receive their ID).
- Copy of College or University admission letter
- Copy of the sponsorship letter (in PDF) if sponsored in Secondary school.
- Parent’s / Guarantor’ Parents Details, Copy of National ID and registered telephone number
- Copy of Parent’s death certificate if deceased (in PDF)
- Two guarantors’ ID numbers and registered telephone numbers
How To Create an Account
1. Visit www.hef.co.ke or www.universitiesfund.go.ke or www.helb.co.ke, click the “Student Portal” button and then Click on register to create an account.
2. Confirm and select whether you have your National ID or not. Specify Yes or No to proceed.
3. Enter your national ID number ,if not, enter your Kenya Certificate of Secondary (KCSE) index number.
4. Enter your KCSE exam year, index number and Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) code.
5. Enter your valid email address, password, confirm the password and attempt the robot question.
After this your account has been successfully created.
6. Go back to the site and fill in your email address and enter your password, then press the Login button.
7. Fill your profile and update your Names, (Birth certificate number, Date of birth and phone number)
8. Read through the consent form and tick the checkbox to agree with the terms of use. (Save to continue)
How To Apply
9. Fill up your residence details which include nearest primary school, Estate/Village, County, Constituency, Ward, Division and location. (Save and continue)
10. Add your Secondary and Primary school details
11. Add your preferred University /College details.
12. Enter your family details including your parent’s marital status and the type of family you come from (enter details your parents’ details as requested).
By doing so, your profile is now completely created.
13. To get full scholarship tick the box indicated scholarship but if you need a full cover, tick both the scholarship and HELB student Loan.
14. Submit your loan application request: Read the instructions provided and proof-read your details then click the SUBMIT button and save.
The application process of HEF for new entrants in September started on June 17 and will run until the end of July.
CEO Ringera announced that disbursement for first years will be done in September as the new academic year commences, after which the portal will be opened for continuing students to apply.
“The national opening day of first years is the second week of September. We have not opened applications for subsequent students, but we will open, now they are away at home,” said Ringera.
Education PS Dr Beatrice Muganda engaged Kenyans on an X space dubbed ‘Citizens Assembly’ to address grievances raised over subsidized HELB loans and the new university funding model.
“If you’re a vulnerable student and need help with subsidies on your university fee or have issues related to higher education visit my office at Jogoo House 10th Floor,” Dr Muganda assured.
