Higher Education Loans Board HELB Students Information | What you need to know.
The Higher Education Loans Board has for a very long time depending on the National Government support through Treasury to fulfill its noble mandate of supporting deserving Kenyan students to pursue higher education.
As the demand for HELB products continues to increase, the resources available are not sufficient to match the demand. This has resulted to HELB seeking alternative sources of funds having realized that total dependence on Treasury funding is not sustainable in the long run.
HELB invites individuals, corporates, Donors, Foundations, County Governments, Training Institutions to partner with HELB through creation of revolving funds, bursary schemes, and scholarship funds targeting needy Kenyans in the society.
HELB will manage these funds on behalf of the partners and provide a platform for the needy students to apply and be vetted. The partners will in turn concentrate on their core mandate, while at the same time giving back to the society by HELB managing these funds on their behalf.
Higher Education Loans Board HELB Students Information
1. Use of HELB loans and bursaries
Students are advised to exercise financial discipline and desist from diverting HELB funds for other uses as the loan is designated to be used for the following:
- Tuition
- Books and stationery
- Accommodation and subsistence.
2. Student loan repayment
When to start paying back the loan
TVET and Undergraduate Loans are due for repayment upon completion of studies. The Board may offer one financial year moratorium or recall the loan whichever is earlier. However, one can make voluntary payments which will reduce his/her balance in good time. Postgraduate loans and Undergraduate loans for salaried students are required to be serviced immediately upon disbursement of the loans. It is important to read the loan agreement form as certain loan schemes have specific terms and conditions.
Interest and other charges
The Government of Kenya subsidises the actual cost of interest on student loans, the rate of interest charged is relatively lower as compared to commercial loans. This interest is indicated on the loan agreement form. Other charges include:
- Ledger (Administrative) Fee
- Penalties charged for non-repayment of student loan
- Insurance for specific loan products
For more details on charges please visit our website www.helb.co.ke
How do I repay my loan?
Upon maturity of a loan, the loanee shall be required to begin repayment of his/her loan together with any interest accrued thereon. HELB offers various loan payment options [see page 7]. For loanees who are formally employed, the employer is expected to deduct the loan installments from the wages or remuneration as shall be directed by the Board.
Monthly Deductions
In deducting a loanee, the monthly instalments should not exceed 25% of a loanees’ basic pay. Loans to salaried students are expected to be repaid within 48 months upon disbursement. One may wish to pay at higher monthly instalments which will then reduce the repayment period and the loanee will clear much earlier than the anticipated period. If one has benefited from more than one loan product and the loans are still in existence, he/she is required to repay all the loans concurrently.
Keeping track of your payments
Upon completion of loan repayment, a clearance certificate is issued. One is also encouraged to notify HELB once the loan payment is completed so as to fast track the clearance process. Please contact contactcentre@helb.co.ke in the event of further queries.
Completion of Repayment
Upon completion of loan repayment, a clearance certificate is issued. One is also encouraged to notify HELB once the loan payment is completed so as to fast track the clearance process. Please contact contactcentre@helb.co.ke in the event of further queries.
Impact of lack of payment
Legally, you are obligated to repay your loan in line with the contract and regulations. Any loanee who fails or neglects his/her obligations may be charged a penalty which will be added to your loan account. and where necessary, ask you to repay the full amount of loan, plus interest and penalties in a lump sum as well as negatively list you on CRB. HELB may also outsource collection of your loan to professional debt collectors at your own cost.
Employers have a responsibility, by law,
- Upon the employment of any loanee to inform the Board in writing within a period of three months of such employment;
- Upon confirmation by the Board that such a person so employed is a loanee, to deduct from the wages or remuneration of the loanee, the amount of any loan as instructed by the Board.
The employer shall remit every deduction from the loanee’s wages or remuneration in the prescribed manner to HELB within 15 days after the end of each month. The employer may be penalised if they do not comply.
Payment options
Loan repayment can be made directly by the loanee or through check-off (employer). The available options for repayment are illustrated below:
Note: The Loanees National ID must be clearly indicated for all payments to facilitate smooth update of loan statement.
Bank Deposit (by Employer or Self)
All payments should be made by direct transfer (EFT), standing order or cash deposit to the HELB collection bank accounts in any of the following banks:
| Bank | Account Number | Branch | Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citibank | 300 040 012 | Nairobi | Nairobi |
| Co-operative Bank | 011290 612 228 00 | University-way | University-way |
| Barclays bank | 077 501 8216 | Barclays Plaza | Barclays Plaza |
| Kenya Commercial Bank | 1103 266 314 | University-way | University-way |
| Standard chartered Bank | 010 801 826 4700 | Koinange street | Koinange street |
| Equity bank | 055 029 357 3408 | Equity Center | Equity Center |
| National Bank of Kenya | 01001060391100 | Harambee Avenue | Harambee Avenue |
| Family Bank | 035 000 024 971 | Family Bank Towers | Family Bank Towers |
| Chase Bank | 0332084215001 | Family Bank Towers | Family Bank Towers |
| NIC Bank | 1002247638 | Delta | Delta |
| Jamii Bora Bank | 0011748527001 | Koinange street | Koinange street |
Mobile Payment Services: M-PESA
Using M-PESA (Safaricom) Money Transfer:
- Select pay bill option
- Enter HELB business number as 200800
- Enter your National ID number as your account number
- Enter amount you want to pay
- Enter your secret PIN number
- Confirm transaction and send
Note: The transaction may take up to 2 business days to reflect in your statement
Credit Card or Debit (ATM) Card
Give authority to HELB to make monthly debits or lump-sum payments directly from your bank account or credit card. This is done by signing the Credit Card Authorization Form (download from HELB website) and forwarding the same to HELB. VISA branded credit cards or debit (ATM) cards can also be swiped at HELB offices.
Diaspora Loan Repayment Options:
Using “Wave” online
You can make payments instantly from the US and Canada through Wave via KCB account number 1103266314. Go to www.sendwave.com to update/download the app and then make transfers immediately.
Once you complete the transaction, you will get a wave message like this; Your money transfer has arrived in HELB Revolving Account’s KCB account! It may take up to 48 hours to appear in your statement. Here’s a receipt of the transaction for your records:
- Sender: A.N. Other, 1111 Mallison, Mc Leansville, NC 27301
- Recipient Name: HELB Revolving Account
- Recipient Number: •••4523
- Amount Sent: 400.00 USD
- Amount Received: 39732 Ksh
- Exchange Rate: 99.33 Ksh/1 USD
- Transaction Time: 12:25 PM ET on July 16, 2016. Funds are immediately available. It may take up to 48 hours to appear in your statement.
- Confirmation Number: BAN-1170352-L54367
Email us at help@sendwave.com if you have any questions about this transaction!
Equity Direct
Equity Direct is a pan-European regulated online money transfer service operated exclusively by VFX Financial PLC in the UK in partnership with the Equity Bank Group in Kenya.
How to sign up:
You can register at www.equitydirectafrica.com which is a quick and simple process. There is a dedicated customer service team on hand to help.
To use PayLoan simply select HELB from the drop-down PayLoan list in “ADD BENEFICIARY”. Then add your Student name, and your National ID in the Reference field and “CONFIRM”.
You can then make a payment to your new Beneficiary and your payment to HELB is processed instantly and you will receive confirmation email and SMS too.
Support Contacts: +44 (0) 207 959 6995 |support@equitydirectafrica.com | www.equitydirectafrica.com
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