Editor's Review

HELB has reminded students that they can track the status of their loan applications through several digital platforms.

The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has reminded students that they can track the status of their loan applications through several digital platforms.

In an update on Monday, August 31, the Board said the options allow applicants to monitor their applications remotely and receive updates without having to wait for information from HELB offices.

"No more waiting in the dark. Track your HELB loan application anytime via the HEF portal, USSD, or the HELB app," the update read.

Students can check their loan status by logging into their account through the HEF portal at www.hef.co.ke. 

After signing in, applicants can access information relating to their loan application.

Read More

  1. HELB Opens Loan Applications for KMTC Students; How to Apply
  2. HELB Opens Training Loan Applications for Civil Servants
  3. HELB Warns as 290,000 Kenyans Default on Ksh29 Billion Loans

Students can also track their applications using the USSD service by dialling *642# on their mobile phones and following the prompts provided.

Another option is the HELB mobile application, which students can download and use to check their loan status instantly from their mobile devices.

File image of HELB CEO Geoffrey Monari

This comes days after HELB raised concerns over the growing number of beneficiaries who have failed to repay student loans amounting to Ksh29 billion.

Speaking on Thursday, August 20, HELB CEO Geoffrey Monari said about 290,000 beneficiaries were yet to repay their loans, warning that failure to recover the funds could undermine the board’s ability to support students currently seeking financial assistance.

He said the Ksh29 billion owed by former beneficiaries could have been used to support about 48,000 students to complete their higher education.

Monari stressed that students who have completed their studies are required to begin repaying their loans, noting that the funds are essential in supporting other students pursuing higher education.

"We urge students who have not commenced repaying their loans to start repaying their loans. It is important because the money that we are getting from these students is what we will be able to use to support the current students who are in the university," he said.

Monari explained that HELB operates a revolving fund, meaning repayments from former beneficiaries are used to finance students who currently require financial assistance.

"This is a revolving fund, and therefore past beneficiaries should be able to repay their loans so that we can be able to pay for the current students," he added.