The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has announced the opening of applications for subsequent loans for continuing students for the 2026/2027 academic year, providing thousands of learners with an opportunity to secure financial support for their studies.
In a notice issued on Monday, June 1, HELB invited eligible continuing students in universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to submit their applications through the board’s digital platform.
“The HELB Subsequent Loan Application for the 2026/2027 academic year is officially open from June 1, 2026. All continuing students can now apply via *USSD 642#,” the board stated.
The move is expected to benefit thousands of learners who rely on government-backed loans to meet tuition fees and other education-related expenses as they progress with their studies.
Relief for Continuing Students
The opening of the application portal comes as many students prepare for the next academic cycle and seek financial assistance to support their education.
Unlike first-time applicants, continuing students are required to submit subsequent loan applications to facilitate continued funding throughout their period of study. The process has been simplified through the USSD platform, allowing students to apply using their mobile phones.
HELB has urged eligible beneficiaries to apply early and ensure that all their details are up to date to avoid delays in processing and disbursement.
First-Time Applicants to Wait for Portal Opening
The announcement applies specifically to continuing students, while first-time applicants are expected to access the application portal later after key placement processes are finalized.
Last week, University Fund Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Monari indicated that the loan application portal for new applicants would be opened after the completion of the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) placement exercise.
According to Monari, the alignment of admission and placement data is necessary to facilitate smooth processing of student funding applications.
Once the portal is opened, first-time applicants will be required to register through the official HELB student portal and provide personal, academic, and identification details, including KCPE and KCSE index numbers, national identification documents, contact information, passport photographs, and guarantor details.
Increased Funding Allocation
The latest development comes amid plans by the National Treasury to significantly increase funding for higher education support in the 2026/2027 financial year.
Treasury has proposed a record allocation of KSh58 billion for student loans and scholarships, up from approximately KSh41 billion in the previous financial year. The increased allocation is intended to strengthen the implementation of the Student-Centred Funding Model and expand access to higher education.
The funding boost is expected to ease pressure on HELB, which has in recent years grappled with growing demand for student financing and resource constraints.
Addressing Funding Challenges
HELB has previously highlighted challenges arising from rising demand for education financing, coupled with low loan recovery rates. The board has also cited the impact of graduate unemployment and income instability on loan repayments.
Despite these challenges, the agency remains a critical pillar in financing higher education, supporting hundreds of thousands of students across the country every year.
With the application window now open, continuing students are expected to take advantage of the opportunity and submit their applications in time to ensure uninterrupted access to funding for the upcoming academic year.
