The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has launched a user-friendly, step-by-step guide to help continuing undergraduate and TVET students apply for student loans via the HELB Mobile App. The digital guide is designed to make the loan application process easier, faster, and more accessible to students across Kenya.
Released on Monday, July 28, the guide instructs students to begin by downloading the HELB App and registering using a Safaricom line, which then generates an activation code. Once registered, users are prompted to create a 4-digit PIN for secure logins.
After logging in, students must verify their personal and institutional details, then proceed to the “Apply Subsequent Products” section. This will lead them to the “Get Started” tab, followed by the loan application section. Before proceeding, applicants are required to read and accept the terms and conditions of the loan.
To complete the application, students must answer a financial literacy question, choose a loan repayment option, and confirm their information. After verification, they can click “Request Loan,” review the details, and submit. HELB will then issue a loan serial number via both the app and SMS, confirming successful submission.
“Applying for your Subsequent Loan via the HELB App is simple. We have created this step-by-step guide to make it even simpler. Apply now,” HELB said in a statement.
This announcement follows the opening of the 2025/2026 academic year loan and scholarship applications on July 2. The application window will remain open until August 31.
According to HELB, first-time applicants must apply via the Higher Education Financing (HEF) portal at www.hef.co.ke, while continuing students can use the HELB App or dial the USSD code *642#.
 has launched a user-friendly, step-by-step guide to help continuing undergraduate and TVET students apply for student loans via the HELB Mobile App. The digital guide is designed to make the loan application process easier, faster, and more accessible to students across Kenya.){kind=link}