MY HELB Portal, Access, Apply & Support

The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB portals) are online platforms designed to simplify loan access, repayment, and management for Kenyan students, employers, and institutions. They eliminate the need for long queues at HELB offices by providing essential services remotely.

HELB plays a crucial role in higher education financing by offering loans, bursaries, and scholarships. Through its portals, students can apply for loans, employers can remit repayments, and institutions can coordinate with HELB for smoother processing.

HELB Mobile App 

The HELB Mobile App offers an alternative to the web portal, allowing users to apply for loans, check disbursement status, and update their profiles directly from a smartphone. It is especially useful for students who may not have regular computer access.

Key features include loan application submission, repayment tracking, and instant notifications on loan status. This convenience makes it easier for users to stay updated without logging into the web portal every time.

HELB App Key Features

Here’s the HELB App Key Features in a neat table format:

How to create account helb portal

Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide so you can access loans, bursaries, and other services.

1️⃣ Visit the HELB Portal

• Go to the official HELB portal: https://www.helb.co.ke, if you have App then open Application in your mobile.
  
• Make sure you are using an updated browser like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox for smooth registration.
  

2️⃣ Select “Create Account” or “Register”

• On the homepage, click on “Student Portal”.
  
• Then choose Signup then screen move to the registration account if you are creating an account for the first time.
  

3️⃣ Choose the Correct Account Type

• Select First-Time Applicant if you’ve never applied for a HELB loan before.
  
• Select Subsequent Applicant if you’ve already applied before and just need to log in again.
  

4️⃣ Fill in Your Personal Details

• Enter your National ID Number (mandatory).
  
• Provide your First, Middle, and Last Names exactly as they appear on your ID.
  
• Add your valid email address and phone number (used for verification).
  

5️⃣ Create Login Credentials

• Choose a Username and a strong password (mix of letters, numbers, and symbols).
  
• Confirm the password to avoid errors.
  

6️⃣ Security Verification

• You may be asked to answer security questions for account recovery.
  
• Complete any CAPTCHA verification to confirm you are not a robot.
  

7️⃣ Confirm and Activate Your Account

• Click Submit.
  
• Check your email inbox for an activation link from HELB.
  
• Click the link to verify and activate your account.
  

Your HELB portal account is now ready. You can log in to apply for loans, check application status, or manage repayments.

How to login Helb Portal 

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide on after creating your account:

1️⃣ Go to the HELB Portal

• Visit https://www.helb.co.ke.
  
• Click on Student Portal (or Employer Portal if you are an employer).
  

2️⃣ Enter Your Login Details

• Username: The one you chose during registration.
  
• Password: The strong password you created.
  

3️⃣ Complete Security Check

• Solve the CAPTCHA if prompted (to verify you’re human).
  

4️⃣ Click “Login”

• Press the Login button to access your account.
  

5️⃣ Troubleshooting Login Issues

• If you forgot your password, click “Forgot Password” and follow the reset steps.
  
• Ensure your internet connection is stable and your browser is up to date.
  
• Use the correct username and make sure your Caps Lock is off.

How to Access the HELB Portal

Students and employers can access the HELB portal by visiting the official HELB website. From there, they can select the relevant portal student, employer, or institution and log in using their credentials.

For those who prefer mobile access, the HELB Mobile App is available for download on Android and iOS. This ensures that users can manage their accounts anytime, anywhere

Types of HELB Portals

The HELB system is divided into three main online platforms, each designed for a specific user group: students, employers, and learning institutions. While all of them connect to the central HELB database, each portal offers unique tools and features suited to its audience.

HELB Student Portal

The Student Portal is the most commonly used platform, built specifically for students who are applying for loans, bursaries, or scholarships. Here, a student can:

• Apply for a first-time HELB loan or a subsequent loan.
  
• Check their loan disbursement status and payment dates.
  
• Download important documents like loan award letters, compliance certificates, and statements.
  
• Update personal information such as phone number, email address, or bank details.
  

This portal is essential for students because it allows them to manage their entire HELB account remotely without visiting physical offices.

HELB Employer Portal

The Employer Portal is designed for companies, government agencies, and organizations that employ individuals who have HELB loans to repay. Through this portal, employers can:

• Register their organization with HELB.
  
• Deduct loan repayments from employees salaries.
  
• Submit monthly repayment schedules to HELB.
  
• Download compliance reports for verification purposes.
  

This portal ensures that repayments are made on time and helps employers stay compliant with Kenyan laws regarding loan recovery.

HELB Institutional Portals

The Institutional Portals are customized platforms for universities, technical institutes, medical colleges, and other higher education institutions. These portals integrate directly with the institution’s student records, making it easier to:

• Verify student enrollment and course details for HELB applications.
  
• Process loan application approvals faster.
  
• Coordinate disbursement timelines with academic calendars.
  
• Provide institution-specific HELB support through the financial aid office.
  

Examples include the KMTC HELB Portal for medical students, the KU HELB Portal for Kenyatta University, and the KUCCPS HELB Portal for students placed through the central placement service.

HELB Services Offered Through the Portals

The HELB portals are designed as one-stop online platforms that provide a wide range of financial services for students, employers, and institutions. These services are available 24/7, which means users no longer need to queue at HELB offices to access essential resources.

Loan Applications

Students can use the HELB portals to apply for both first-time loans and subsequent loans. First-time applications are for new students joining universities, TVET institutions, or medical colleges, while subsequent applications are for continuing students who need to renew their funding for another academic year. The portal guides applicants through filling out forms, uploading documents, and submitting applications without paperwork hassles.

Loan Repayments

Graduates and employers can manage loan repayments directly through the portal. Employers can log in to submit payroll deductions for employees with HELB loans, while individual borrowers can check repayment schedules, view outstanding balances, and make direct payments through integrated payment options such as M-Pesa and bank transfers.

Scholarships and Bursaries

HELB also administers scholarship and bursary programs for students in financial need. These can be applied for through the portals, with the application process often requiring fewer documents compared to loans. Bursaries are especially useful for students from marginalized areas or those facing unexpected financial hardship.

Student Account Management

Through the portal, students can update their personal and academic details, ensuring that their information is always correct for communication and disbursement purposes. They can also download loan statements, view payment history, and request compliance certificates when needed for job applications or further studies.

By offering all these services online, HELB has made education financing in Kenya more accessible, transparent, and efficient, reducing errors and improving service delivery for all users.

📚 List of Institutional HELB Portals in Kenya

The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) partners with various institutions across Kenya to create customized portals for loan application and management. These portals are designed to integrate with the school’s academic systems, making the process of applying, verifying, and disbursing loans much faster. Students benefit from tailored services that match their academic calendars and course requirements.

By using institutional HELB portals, students can avoid unnecessary delays caused by manual verification. Most portals are also linked to financial aid offices within the institutions, allowing for direct support and troubleshooting. Below is a detailed look at the various institutional portals in Kenya.

KU HELB Portal (Kenyatta University)

Kenyatta University’s HELB portal allows students to apply for loans, check disbursement statuses, and get institution-specific support. This portal is synchronized with the university academic records, making verification faster and reducing loan processing times.

Students also have access to tailored HELB information based on KU’s academic calendar. The integration ensures that funds are released in line with semester schedules, minimizing disruptions in fee payment.

Maseno HELB Portal

Maseno University has its own HELB portal for loan management, designed to serve both new and continuing students. It offers customized updates that align with the university’s timetable and internal policies.

The portal provides a streamlined process for tracking disbursements and loan application progress. Students can also get notifications on key deadlines to ensure they don’t miss important application windows.

KMTC HELB Portal

The Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) portal is tailored for medical students. It supports the Afya Elimu Fund and TVET loans, which are common among KMTC applicants.

Applicants can check loan application deadlines directly on the portal or through the official HELB website. The integration with KMTC’s system ensures that only eligible medical students get funding approvals.

JOOUST HELB Portal

Students at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) use this portal for applying for HELB loans. The system is linked with the university’s financial aid department for smooth application processing.

This integration helps speed up the verification process and ensures that disbursement updates are readily available. It also allows students to resolve loan issues without visiting HELB offices.

JKUAT HELB Portal

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) offers a dedicated HELB portal for both first-time and repeat loan applications. The portal includes detailed application guidelines specific to JKUAT’s requirements.

Students benefit from institution-based verification, which reduces the risk of application rejection due to incomplete academic details. It also enables faster communication between HELB and the university.

UoN HELB Portal (University of Nairobi)

The University of Nairobi’s HELB portal gives students direct access to loan application services, disbursement checks, and resubmission options. It’s designed to handle both undergraduate and postgraduate funding requests.

Students can also get assistance from UoN’s HELB help desk for technical or financial aid-related issues. This reduces the need for multiple trips to HELB’s head office.

Busia HELB Portal

The Busia County HELB portal offers county-based bursaries and top-up funding programs for local students. It works alongside the national HELB system to ensure full funding coverage.

Applicants can manage their county bursary applications online while also keeping track of their main HELB loan accounts. This is especially useful for students with multiple funding sources.

Afya Elimu HELB Portal

This portal is dedicated to the Afya Elimu Fund (AEF), aimed at students in health-related fields, especially at KMTC. It caters to both full-time and in-service students.

The portal supports easy loan application, disbursement tracking, and communication with HELB. Its focus on healthcare courses ensures funding is directed to areas of national priority.

FCK HELB Portal

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) or Football Colleges of Kenya (FCK) HELB portal supports students in sports-related programs. It provides funding opportunities for athletes pursuing formal education.

Through the portal, students can apply for HELB loans while maintaining their training and match schedules. This helps balance academics and sports careers.

MKSU HELB Student Portal (Machakos University)

Machakos University students access HELB services via the MKSU portal. They can apply for loans, track disbursements, and get academic verification.

The portal’s integration with the university’s systems ensures that only enrolled students with complete records can access HELB services.

KMTC HELB Student Portal

This is a specialized version of the KMTC HELB portal, focused solely on student login access. It enables learners to manage Afya Elimu loans and check funding limits.

Students can also track application statuses in real time. This helps avoid delays caused by incomplete forms or missing documents.

Kakamega County HELB Portal

Kakamega County offers its own HELB-linked bursary system. It provides extra funding for local students alongside the main HELB loan.

This integration ensures students can receive both county and national support without double applications.

KUCCPS HELB Portal

The KUCCPS HELB portal links new student placement data directly to HELB. This means students can start their loan applications immediately after being admitted to a university or college.

It saves time by reducing the need for manual data entry. This is especially useful for first-time applicants.

Chuka HELB Portal

Chuka University’s HELB portal allows for loan application, repayment tracking, and follow-up requests. It is run in collaboration with the financial aid office.

The system makes it easier for students to stay on top of deadlines and avoid missing out on funding.

Nyeri National Polytechnic HELB Portal

The Nyeri National Polytechnic HELB portal connects directly with HELB for timely loan and bursary disbursement. It is especially useful for students in technical and vocational courses.

This ensures that students can focus on their studies without worrying about delayed funding.

Taita Taveta University HELB Portal

This portal enables students to apply for HELB loans, bursaries, and monitor their disbursement status. It is built to align with the university’s academic year.

Such alignment ensures funds are available at the start of each semester, avoiding fee payment problems.

Sigalagala National Polytechnic HELB Portal

Sigalagala’s portal connects directly with HELB to manage loans and bursaries. It provides timely updates on application status.

This direct connection speeds up financial aid processes and reduces delays in tuition payments.

Jielimishe HELB Portal

The Jielimishe portal is designed for salaried individuals studying part-time. It supports evening, weekend, and online learners.

Borrowers can apply for education loans while continuing to work, track repayments, and maintain direct communication with HELB.

Security and Best Practices When Using the HELB Portal

Always protect your login credentials by using strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication where possible. Avoid logging into your account on public computers to reduce the risk of data theft.

Users should also verify that they are visiting the official HELB website to avoid falling victim to phishing scams. Fake portals are common, and they can steal sensitive personal information.

Latest Updates to the HELB Portal (2025)

In 2025, HELB introduced several updates to improve user experience, including faster loan application processing and enhanced integration with mobile money services like M-Pesa.

Policy changes have also been implemented, affecting eligibility criteria and loan repayment timelines. Students and employers should stay updated to ensure compliance and timely loan servicing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HELB Portal?

The HELB Portal is an online platform provided by the Higher Education Loans Board in Kenya that allows students, employers, and institutions to apply for loans, manage repayments, and access other education financing services without visiting physical offices.

How do I access the HELB Portal?

You can access the HELB portal by visiting the official HELB website at www.helb.co.ke, selecting the relevant portal (Student, Employer, or Institution), and logging in using your credentials. Alternatively, you can use the HELB Mobile App for Android or iOS.

Who can use the HELB Student Portal?

The HELB Student Portal is for Kenyan students in universities, TVET colleges, medical colleges, and other higher learning institutions who want to apply for first-time or subsequent loans, bursaries, or scholarships.

What is the HELB Employer Portal used for?

The Employer Portal is designed for companies, government agencies, and organizations to register with HELB, deduct loan repayments from employees’ salaries, and submit repayment schedules online.

What are Institutional HELB Portals?

These are customized HELB portals integrated into specific universities, colleges, and polytechnics to speed up verification, application processing, and disbursement. Examples include KU HELB Portal, KMTC HELB Portal, and JKUAT HELB Portal.

Conclusion

The HELB portal remains a vital tool for Kenyan students, graduates, and employers, simplifying loan applications, disbursement tracking, and repayment processes. By mastering its features and staying updated with requirements, users can enjoy a smooth financial aid experience while contributing to sustainable education funding in Kenya.