HELB Extends Loan Application Deadlines For University And TVET Students

The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has officially extended the deadline for student loan applications, offering more time for both first-time and continuing applicants to complete their submissions.

The move by HELB comes in response to growing demand for financial assistance and a formal directive from the Ministry of Education aimed at ensuring that no eligible student is left out of the funding process.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 2, HELB announced that the deadline for first-time applicants has been extended by two weeks, from the original August 31 to Saturday, September 14, 2025.

This extension is expected to provide relief to thousands of new university and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students who are still finalising their applications as they transition into higher education.

For continuing students, those applying for the second, third, or fourth time based on the duration of their academic programmes, the application window has also been extended. The new deadline for these subsequent applications is Saturday, September 7, a one-week extension from the earlier cut-off of August 31.

“Applications for first-time and continuing university and TVET loans are now open,” read a statement from HELB, urging students who have not yet applied to take advantage of the extended deadlines. The board emphasized that the application process remains fully digital and accessible through multiple platforms: students can apply via USSD by dialling *642#, through the official HELB Mobile App, or by using the M-PESA Mini App.

The decision to extend the application periods follows a directive issued on Friday, August 29, by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, who instructed HELB to lengthen the loan application timeline specifically for first-time applicants.

The Cabinet Secretary’s intervention was closely tied to the recent disbursement of Ksh23.1 billion in financial aid, aimed at supporting tuition and upkeep expenses for students enrolled in both university and TVET institutions.

“We are pleased to notify parents, guardians, university and TVET students that the Universities Fund and the Higher Education Loans Board have, as of today, disbursed a total of Ksh23.16 billion in financial support to 802,159 university and TVET students across the country,” stated CS Ogamba.

In line with the government’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to education, Ogamba stressed that “no student should be left behind,” confirming that both HELB and the Universities Fund were under instruction to facilitate the extension of the loan application period.

The Universities Fund contributed Ksh4.1 billion in scholarship grants directed to students attending public universities. HELB disbursed the remaining Ksh19.06 billion, which was allocated as follows: Ksh7.6 billion for tuition fees and Ksh11.46 billion for student upkeep and living expenses

This significant financial injection is intended to alleviate the economic burden faced by students and their families amid rising costs of education and living. The support comes at a critical time, especially for learners from low-income backgrounds who heavily rely on government funding to pursue their academic goals.

In a separate update, HELB reported a record-breaking number of loan and scholarship applications ahead of the extended deadlines. As of September 1, the board had received a total of 1,117,239 applications.

This figure includes: 741,931 applications from undergraduate university students and 375,308 applications from students in TVET institutions.

These numbers reflect the high demand for higher education financing and underscore the critical role HELB plays in bridging the gap between aspiration and access to education.

HELB has urged all eligible students, both newcomers and continuing learners, not to wait until the last minute to submit their applications. By providing multiple platforms for submission, the board aims to streamline the process and minimize potential delays caused by last-minute traffic on the application system.

Students who encounter any issues are advised to seek assistance through HELB’s customer service channels or visit the nearest Huduma Centre for support.

With the application windows now officially extended, and financial support already disbursed to hundreds of thousands of students, the government and HELB continue to reaffirm their joint commitment to ensuring inclusive, equitable, and accessible higher education for all Kenyan learners.

Read Also: HELB Disburses Over Ksh 9 Billion To Support University Students