NAIROBI, Kenya — Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has opened applications for a specialised loan scheme targeting civil servants seeking to advance their education and skills within the public service.
In a notice issued on Wednesday, the agency announced the rollout of the Civil Servants Training Revolving Fund, a programme designed to support government employees pursuing further studies across various levels, from certificate to doctoral programmes.
The fund targets a wide pool of public officers, including personnel under the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Kenya Police Service, reflecting the government’s broader push to enhance capacity and professionalism in the civil service.
Under the programme, eligible applicants can access loans to pursue Certificate, Diploma, Higher Diploma, Master’s, PhD, and professional courses in recognised local institutions.
HELB said the facility is structured to promote continuous learning while remaining affordable to borrowers.
To qualify, applicants must be currently employed in the public service and possess an admission letter from a recognised institution.
They are also required to submit a course recommendation letter from their employer, demonstrating institutional support for their studies.
Additional requirements include submission of key identification documents such as a KRA PIN certificate, a national ID, and a passport-sized photograph.
Applicants must also provide certified payslips for the latest three months, showing a net pay above one-third of their basic salary.
The loans will attract an annual interest rate not exceeding 4pc, with repayment periods of up to 72 months.
Beneficiaries will also have the flexibility to repay earlier depending on their financial capacity.
HELB noted that the initiative aims to strengthen human capital within the public sector by enabling civil servants to upgrade qualifications and adapt to evolving professional demands.
Applicants have been directed to submit their applications through the HELB online portal, where they must accurately indicate their level of study and confirm that they are not placed through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS).
The move aligns with Kenya’s broader public service reform agenda, which emphasises capacity building, skills development, and improved service delivery under national development frameworks.
As demand for specialised skills grows across government institutions, the uptake of such financing schemes is expected to play a key role in shaping a more skilled and competitive public workforce.
