NAIROBI, Kenya — The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has advised first-time loan applicants to prepare all required documents in advance as it gears up to open the application portal for the 2026 intake.
In a notice issued on Monday, HELB said early preparation would help students avoid delays and challenges during the application process.
“First-Time Applications will be opening soon. A little preparation now can save you a lot of time later,” the board said.
The announcement targets students expected to join universities and colleges under the 2026 placement cycle. HELB urged applicants to follow its official communication channels for updates on the exact opening date of the portal.
According to the board, applicants must have a valid email address and mobile phone number, as well as their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) index numbers and examination years.
Students will also be required to upload a passport-size photograph in JPEG, JPG, or PNG format and provide a copy of their National Identity Card or Maisha Card showing both sides.
For loan disbursement purposes, applicants must submit valid bank account details or an active M-Pesa number registered under their national identification number.
Those applying as minors will need to upload a birth certificate in PDF format. Applicants who benefited from sponsorship during secondary school education are also required to submit a copy of the sponsorship letter.
HELB further outlined requirements relating to parents and guarantors. Applicants must provide their parents’ national identification numbers and registered mobile phone numbers. Where a parent is deceased, a death certificate must be uploaded in PDF format.
In addition, applicants must provide the identification numbers and registered mobile numbers of two guarantors, who may include parents.
The preparations come as the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) finalises the placement process for students seeking admission to higher learning institutions.
Speaking during a webinar on university placements, KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer Agnes Wahome said students who have already received notifications confirming that they secured one of their preferred courses should expect detailed placement information in July.
“Once we finish the process, you will now get another message by July telling you exactly where you have been placed,” Wahome said.
She explained that successful applicants would be able to access university portals within two days of receiving placement confirmations to download admission letters and begin the registration process.
Wahome also noted that students applying for government scholarships and loans will be required to provide detailed household and personal information under the government funding model. The information will be used to assess their financial needs and determine the level of support they qualify for.
She urged applicants to ensure all information submitted is accurate and complete to avoid delays in processing funding applications.
The opening of the HELB portal is expected to benefit thousands of students preparing to join universities and colleges in the 2026/27 academic year, with education stakeholders encouraging early preparation to ensure a smooth application process.
