The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) gives loans to students at TVET colleges. The loan helps you pay your tuition fees and living costs. Find out how much is HELB loan — up to KES 40,000 per year — plus how to get HELB loan, how to check HELB loan status, and how to repay HELB loan when you finish your course. This guide covers the 2026/2027 cycle and all HELB TVET loans deadline.
HELB TVET Loan Guide 2026
HELB provides loans of KES 20,000 to 40,000 per year for TVET students. Combined with government scholarships under the Student-Centred Funding Model, most students can cover their full fees and living costs.
Loan Amount
KES 20K–40K
Per academic year. Exact amount depends on your financial need assessment.
Interest Rate
4% per year
Plus KES 1,000 one-time ledger fee. Interest starts accruing 1 year after completing your course.
Repayment Starts
1 Year After
Repayment begins 1 year after course completion or upon securing employment — whichever comes first.
What is the HELB TVET Loan?
The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) TVET loan is a government-backed student loan specifically for students enrolled in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in Kenya. It is part of the broader Student-Centred Funding Model (SCFM) launched in May 2023.
Tuition Coverage
The loan can cover part or all of your annual tuition fees at a HELB-approved TVET institution.
Upkeep Allowance
A portion of the loan is disbursed as an upkeep allowance to help with living expenses while studying.
Low Interest
Interest is only 4% per year — far lower than commercial bank loans. No interest is charged while you are still in school.
Flexible Repayment
Repay through M-Pesa (PayBill 200600), check-off for employed graduates, or lump sum payments. Minimum KES 500/month.
Eligibility Requirements
Kenyan citizen
Must be a Kenyan citizen with a valid National ID card
Admitted to TVET
Must have an admission letter from a HELB-approved TVET institution
Valid KRA PIN
Must have a Kenya Revenue Authority Personal Identification Number
Active phone number
An active Safaricom line for M-Pesa disbursement and SMS notifications
No other HELB loan
Must not have an existing HELB undergraduate loan in default
Financial need
Priority is given to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds
How to Apply for a HELB TVET Loan
Visit the HELB Portal
Go to helb.co.ke and click "Student Portal." Create an account using your National ID number, a valid email address, and a password.
Fill in Personal & Institution Details
Enter your full name, date of birth, phone number, and physical address. Then provide your institution name, course of study, year of study, and admission number as they appear on your admission letter.
Upload Required Documents
Scan and upload your National ID (front and back), admission letter from your institution, KRA PIN certificate, and recent passport-size photo. All documents must be clear and legible.
Provide Parent/Guardian Details
Enter your parents' or guardians' full names, ID numbers, phone numbers, and estimated income. These details help HELB assess your financial need level.
Enter Bank or M-Pesa Details
Provide your bank account details or M-Pesa phone number where the loan funds will be disbursed. The phone number must be registered in your name.
Review, Submit & Print
Carefully review all information before submitting. Download and print the acknowledgment slip. HELB will notify you via SMS and email once your application is processed.
Application Deadlines
| Intake | Applications Open | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| January Intake | November | December |
| May Intake | March | April |
| September Intake | July | August |
How to Repay Your HELB Loan
M-Pesa PayBill
Go to M-Pesa → Lipa na M-Pesa → PayBill. Enter Business Number 200600. For Account Number, enter your National ID number. Enter the amount (minimum KES 500). Enter your PIN and send.
Check-Off (Employed Graduates)
If you are formally employed, HELB can arrange a monthly deduction from your salary through your employer. Contact HELB to set up a check-off arrangement.
Bank Deposit
Deposit into any HELB bank account at KCB, Equity, Cooperative Bank, or National Bank. Include your National ID number as the reference.
Lump Sum Payment
You can repay the entire loan at once or in large installments. There is no penalty for early repayment. Paying off your loan faster reduces the total interest you pay.
Important: Interest & Ledger Fee
The HELB TVET loan attracts 4% annual interest on the reducing balance. A KES 1,000 ledger fee is charged once upon the first disbursement. Interest starts accruing one year after you complete your course or when you secure employment — whichever comes first. No interest is charged while you are actively enrolled in your TVET programme. If you repay within the grace period, you only repay the principal amount plus the ledger fee.
Need to Know TVET Fees First?
Before applying for a HELB loan, understand how much your TVET course costs. Get the complete breakdown of standardized fees, government funding bands, and what you will actually pay.