HEF Student Portal Registration: How to Create Your Account for HELB Loans & Scholarships
HEF Student Portal Registration is done at portal.hef.co.ke — the same account also works through www.helb.co.ke and www.universitiesfund.go.ke. You register with your National ID (or KCSE Index Number, covered separately below), set up a valid email address and password, then activate your account by email before you can log in. Here’s the exact registration process, plus what you’ll need ready before you start.
HELB’s 2026/2027 First-Time and Subsequent applications for Undergraduate and TVET Loans, Scholarships, and Bursaries are currently open. Register early — the portal gets slower to validate as the deadline approaches.
How to Register on the HEF Student Portal
Visit the Portal and Click Register
Go to portal.hef.co.ke — or reach it via www.hef.co.ke, www.helb.co.ke, or www.universitiesfund.go.ke and click Student Portal. If you already have an account, click Login instead; new applicants click Register.
Confirm Whether You Have a National ID
On the Account Creation screen, select Yes or No for “Do you have a National ID Number?” This determines which verification path you follow next.
Enter and Validate Your ID Details
If you have an ID: enter your ID Number, your first name exactly as it appears on your ID, and select Kenyan Citizen (ID card) or Foreign Citizen (Alien card), then click Validate.
Enter a Valid Email Address and Create a Password
Once your ID is found, your names appear partially masked for confirmation. Fill in and confirm a valid email address, then enter and confirm your password.
Activate Your Account by Email
Check your email — Inbox or Spam/Junk — for the activation message and click the link inside it to activate your account.
What You’ll Need Before You Register
| Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|
| National ID and phone number | Must be registered in your own name |
| KCSE Index Number and exam year | Needed if you don’t have a National ID yet |
| Official admission letter | Required for first-time applicants |
| Parents’ or guardians’ ID details | Needed later, during profile completion |
| Accessible email address | Your activation link is sent here |
Registration Not Going Through?
Send us your details on WhatsApp — we’ll help you validate your ID, register, and activate your HEF Student Portal account correctly.
WhatsApp Us NowFAQ: HEF Student Portal Registration
How do I register for a HELB loan?
Go to portal.hef.co.ke, click Register, confirm whether you have a National ID, validate your details, then set up a valid email address and password to create your HEF Student Portal account.
What documents do I need to register?
A valid National ID and phone number registered in your own name, or your KCSE Index Number and exam year if you don’t have an ID yet. First-time applicants also need their official admission letter, and their parents’ or guardians’ ID details for later steps.
Can I still apply for HELB right now?
Yes. HELB opens First-Time and Subsequent Loan, Scholarship, and Bursary applications for each funding cycle on the HEF Student Portal, with the 2026/2027 window currently open. Register early, since portal traffic slows down closer to the deadline.
Is there another way to register besides the website?
Yes. HELB also offers registration through the HELB Mobile App (available on the Google Play Store) or by dialing the USSD code *642# and registering with your phone number to generate a PIN.
What happens after I register?
Once your account is activated, you log in and complete your profile, residence, school, and parents’ details before submitting your loan or scholarship application.
Registration steps verified against the HEF Student Portal (portal.hef.co.ke), July 2026.
