HELB Undergraduate Loans Application & How to Withdraw Funds From Surepay M-PESA

6 mins read
HELB Undergraduate Loans Application & How to Withdraw Funds From Surepay M-PESA

The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) is a statutory body tasked with granting loans, bursaries, and scholarships to Kenyans pursuing higher education in accredited Kenyan universities and colleges. It is also responsible for collecting these loans post-study to create a revolving fund.

This Article will look into the HELB undergraduate loans Application and Withdrawal Process, plus Post-Graduate Scholarships, in depth.

UNDERGRADUATE LOANS.

These loans are for students pursuing their studies in Public or Chartered Private Universities within the East African Community, placed either through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), Self-sponsored, Parallel and Module II Students studying for a Bachelor’s Degree only.

Pre-University, Certificate, Diploma or Postgraduate students are not eligible to apply for this loan.

The loan attracts interest of 4% and Kshs. 1,000 ledger per year. Students are advised to apply for the loan at least one month before the opening date to allow ample time for processing.

There are two types of undergraduate loan applications:

First Time Application-This is for applicants who are applying for the first time.

Second & Subsequent.

Application-This is for applicants who are applying for the second, third, fourth time as per the program duration.

Note: The number of loans one is eligible for depends on the program duration. For example, one is given loan 4 times for a 4-year program or 5 times for a 5-year programme.

How to apply for a HELB Loan as a First Time Applicant:

1. Visit the HELB website or hef.co.ke to access the Student Portal and click on “register” to create an account.

2. Confirm whether you have your National ID and enter your ID number. Enter your KCSE Index number if you don’t have a National ID.

3. Enter a valid email address and password and click “register”.

4. You have successfully created an account. Check your email (Inbox or Spam/ Junk) to activate your account and log in after email activation.

5. Enter a valid Telephone number where a verification code will be sent. If the verification code expires, click resend button to get a new verification code.

6. Fill your profile & update your Biodata. Give consent to collection of your personal data. Read through the consent form to understand why we are collecting your personal data then tick the checkbox to agree with terms of use.

7. Fill in your personal details then save to continue. When all details are complete, submit your scholarship/loan request. Consent to processing of your data by Accepting the loan terms and conditions.

8. Update your guarantor details.

9. Provide loan payment information as per the fields provided (Bank or mobile payment)

10. Submit your loan application.

HOW TO APPLY SUBSEQUENT UNDERGRADUATE LOAN USING APP.

Download the HELB App from Google Play Store. (There has been an upgrade on the HELB App, therefore ensure to upgrade your App.)

Register using your phone number to generate a PIN which you will use to log in.

Ensure the mobile number is registered under your name. Please NOTE that mobile numbers not registered in the student’s name will not be able to proceed with the application.

Read, understand, and click to accept the license agreement.

Enter your first name as it appears on your national ID card, the ID number and valid email address to complete registration.

Click on the “loans” tab and choose Degree. Then click “apply” on the Undergraduate subsequent loan.

Read and understand the process tutorial and proceed to read the financial literacy guide.

Click on get started to start the application process.

Enter your phone number which should be registered in your name and national id number to verify that you are the owner of that number.

Read and understand the loan terms and condition and agree to proceed.

Answer the financial literacy questions and scroll down to view results and click “proceed”.

Select your preferred loan payment option.

Click request loan to view and verify your loan details.

Click “submit” to complete the loan application. A pop-up message will appear to show that you have successfully applied. The loan serial number will also be displayed.

At later dates, you will receive other notifications on awards and disbursements of upkeep and tuition loans and where applicable, bursary.

HELB Processing involves different stages. An update is shared on the Student Portal or via SMS on changes.

Once Funds are disbursed and a student receives a Surepay Message, it might take between 48 to 72 Hours for the Cash to reflect. Weekends do not count.

WITHDRAWAL.

The HELB loan mobile payment option is currently available on Mpesa, below is the procedure on how you can access and withdraw the funds from HELB Mini App.

1. Login to the M-PESA App and go to the home page, then Categories, and to the Education tab.

2. Select HELB from Education tab.

3. Register on the HELB Mini app.

4. Sign in using your MPESA registered phone number, and you will receive a verification code via SMS for login.

5. Once you log in, kindly click on the home page tab to withdraw your funds to your MPESA using the withdraw button on the page.

Withdrawing Using USSD CODE.

1. Dial *642# and select “login” option.

2. Enter your personal details to Login.

3. Select “withdraw funds”

4. Select “upkeep” then select the amount to withdraw.

5. You will receive a confirmation message of the funds deposited in your Mpesa Account.

Meanwhile, HELB awards partial scholarships to Kenyans pursuing postgraduate programmes (Masters or PHD) in local Public or Private Universities recognized by the Commission for University Education [CUE].

The value of the scholarship award is Kshs. 200,000 and Kshs. 450,000 for Masters and PhD programmes respectively, tenable for 2 years in respect of the Master’s Programme and 3 years for the PhD.

Eligibility:

Letter of Admission into a full or part time Postgraduate university program.

Minimum undergraduate qualification of Second-Class Honors, Upper Division.

Reporting for First year of study.

Preference is given to applicants undertaking Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Innovation and Fisheries [STEM].

If the applicant is a previous or current HELB loan beneficiary, the applicant MUST be repaying his/her loan or has cleared the loan.

The HELB Postgraduate Scholarship application form is accessible from the Student Portal upon registration.

How to Apply:

The applicant should register, access and duly complete the Postgraduate Scholarship Application (PGSA).

The application is accessible through the Student Portal.

After filling the required application details, click and submit the duly completed application then download and print the PGSA.

Proceed to have the PGSA duly signed and stamped by the relevant authorities and attach all the necessary documents as indicated in the checklist.

Scan the filled PGSA and all the attachments in PDF format as one document.

Send the scanned PDF copy to pgscholarship@helb.co.ke.

Note:

Geographical distribution and gender are considered during the Scholarship Award.

Applicants from marginalized regions are highly encouraged to apply.

The applicant shall be prompted to pay a non-refundable application fee of Kshs.3,000 via MPESA once they click on the payment tab on the portal.