HELB Loan Application: How to Apply for HELB Loan and Scholarship on the HEF Portal
Once your HEF Student Portal profile is complete, the HELB loan and scholarship application itself happens on the Complete Application tab at portal.hef.co.ke. You’ll select your applicant category, consent to data processing, accept the loan terms, add your guarantors and payment details, then submit a Loan Application Form (LAF) that cannot be edited afterward. Here’s the full process, plus the documents you need ready before you start.
HELB’s 2026/2027 Loan, Bursary, and Scholarship applications are open for both first-time and subsequent Undergraduate and TVET applicants.
How to Apply for a HELB Loan or Scholarship
Select Your Loan, Scholarship, or Bursary Tab
Log in to your account, go to the HELB menu, and under the Loan Application tab select your applicant category — for example, First-Time Undergraduate or First-Time TVET Scholarship and Loan.
Submit Your Scholarship/Loan Request
On the Complete Application tab, tick Scholarship and/or HELB Student Loan depending on what you’re applying for, then click Save & Submit.
Consent to Processing of Your Data
Review and consent to the personal data collection statement specific to your loan application before continuing.
Accept Loan Terms and Conditions
Read through and accept HELB’s loan terms and conditions.
Update Guarantor Details
Enter the ID numbers and registered telephone numbers of two guarantors — these can be your parents.
Provide Loan Payment Information
Fill in your valid bank details, M-Pesa number, or Post Bank account — payment details must be registered under your own name and ID number.
Submit Your Loan Application
You’ll be encouraged to preview your Loan Application Form (LAF) for accuracy before submitting. Confirm your institution and tuition details are correct, then click Submit.
Documents and Details You’ll Need to Apply
| Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport-size photo | JPEG, JPG, or PNG format |
| National ID / Maisha Card | Both sides, scanned as PDF (or your KCSE index number if you have no ID) |
| Bank details or M-Pesa number | Must be registered under your own name and ID number; Post Bank accounts are also accepted |
| Parents’ National ID and phone numbers | Required as part of your family information |
| Parent’s death certificate | PDF copy, only if a parent is deceased |
| Birth certificate | PDF copy, only if applying as a minor |
| Two guarantors’ ID and phone numbers | Can be your parents |
| Sponsorship letter | PDF copy, only if you were sponsored during secondary school |
Stuck on Your Loan or Scholarship Application?
Send us your details on WhatsApp — we’ll help you complete your consent, guarantor, and payment sections correctly before you submit.
WhatsApp Us NowFAQ: HELB Loan and Scholarship Application
How do I apply for a HELB loan and scholarship?
Log in to your HEF Student Portal account, select the loan/scholarship tab for your category (Undergraduate or TVET, first-time or subsequent), tick Scholarship and/or HELB Student Loan, consent to data processing, accept the loan terms, add your guarantors and payment details, then preview and submit your Loan Application Form.
What documents do I need to complete my application?
A passport-size photo, a copy of your National ID or Maisha Card (both sides, in PDF) or your KCSE index number if you have no ID, valid bank or M-Pesa details registered in your own name, your parents’ National ID and phone numbers, and two guarantors’ ID numbers and phone numbers, who can be your parents.
What if my parent is deceased?
You’ll need to upload a copy of the parent’s death certificate in PDF as part of your family information.
What if I’m applying as a minor?
You’ll need to upload a copy of your birth certificate in PDF.
Can I edit my application after submitting?
No. Once you submit your loan application, you cannot edit the application details, so preview your Loan Application Form (LAF) carefully before clicking submit.
Can I apply for a scholarship and a loan together?
Yes. On the Complete Application tab you can select and check both Scholarship and HELB Student Loan if you want the partial scholarship together with a loan to cover the rest of your tuition.
Application steps and requirements verified against the HEF Student Portal (portal.hef.co.ke) and official university admissions guidance, July 2026.
