In a major relief for students across the country, the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has extended its loan application deadlines following widespread appeals and government intervention.
The new timeline, announced on Tuesday, September 2, grants first-time applicants until September 14, while continuing students have until September 7 to finalize their applications. The previous cutoff date for subsequent applicants had been August 31.
This extension is particularly important for students applying for the second, third, or fourth time, depending on their academic programs. Applicants can conveniently submit their requests via the HELB Mobile App, M-PESA Mini App, or the USSD code *642#.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba had on Friday, August 29, instructed HELB to extend the application period. His directive came alongside the announcement of a Ksh23.16 billion disbursement package to cater to higher education learners.
The Universities Fund provided Ksh4.1 billion in scholarships for public university students, while HELB released Ksh19.06 billion—of which Ksh7.6 billion was allocated to tuition and Ksh11.46 billion to student upkeep.
As of September 1, HELB reported receiving 1,117,239 loan and scholarship applications, including 741,931 undergraduate submissions and 375,308 TVET applications. The extension is set to directly benefit over 802,000 students nationwide.
“This directive ensures that no student is locked out of financial aid due to time limitations,” Ogamba stated.
With rising costs of education, HELB loans and scholarships remain a crucial lifeline for many families. The latest extension not only provides more time for students to apply but also reaffirms the government’s commitment to expanding access to higher education financing.
