HELB Reveals How Students Can Track Loan Status On Their Phones

The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) reminds students and other applicants that they don’t need to visit its offices in person to check the status of their loan applications.

According to the Board, applicants can now track their funding progress through three main channels: the HELB online portal, a USSD code, and the HELB mobile app.

For those who prefer checking online, logging into their HELB portal account gives them direct access to their loan details and current application status.

Applicants without internet access can simply dial *642# on their phone and follow the prompts to get the same information. The HELB mobile app offers a third option, letting users track their applications right from their phones without needing to log into a computer.

The reminder comes at a time when HELB is processing a number of ongoing applications across its various loan and funding programmes.

One of the newer offerings is the 2026/27 Jielimishe Loan, aimed at salaried Kenyans who want to further their education while still working. Successful applicants can borrow up to Ksh600,000 to cover university, postgraduate, or other approved professional courses.

HELB has also rolled out loans of up to Ksh500,000 under the Civil Servants Training Revolving Fund. This particular fund is meant for employees in national and county government, as well as staff within the National Police Service and the Teachers Service Commission.

Together, these programmes are part of HELB’s broader push to make higher education and professional development more accessible, both for full-time students and working Kenyans looking to advance their careers.

For applicants still waiting to hear back, the tracking tools offer a faster way to find out whether their application is still under review, has moved to the next stage, or needs additional documents or action from their end.

HELB says it wants more applicants to take advantage of these digital tools rather than depending on office visits or waiting passively for updates.

With several loan programmes currently open, applicants can check where they stand at any time, from anywhere, without the back-and-forth that used to come with tracking an application manually.

Read Also: HELB Opens New Ksh500,000 Loan Window For Civil Servants Seeking Further Studies