HELB Releases Update on Student Upkeep Loans Following New University Fee Structure
The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has released an update on student upkeep loans for the 2025/2026 academic year following the new university fee structure.
A total of 136,634 first time university students have been awarded upkeep loans under the Student-Centred Funding Model.
How much will students pay?
The Ministry of Education has announced that students will pay between KSh 5,814 and KSh 75,000 per semester. The amount will depend on the student’s financial background and the programme they are pursuing.
“Following the government’s directive to reduce the cost of higher education, the payable university fees per semester will range from KSh 5,814 to KSh 75,000, depending on financial need and programme costs,” the ministry said in a statement on August 15, 2025.
What is the status of HELB loan applications?
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba has asked students to log into their portals to check their loan allocation.
“All students who applied for upkeep loans should confirm their awards on the HELB student portal via the Higher Education Financing website, www.hef.co.ke and coordinate with their respective universities for fee payment arrangements. Universities will access student tuition allocations through the HELB institutional portal,” the ministry said.
Universities are also required to use the institutional portal to facilitate smooth disbursement of tuition loans.
The ministry noted that these changes are part of efforts to ensure fair access to higher education and align with the country’s overall development goals.
Also Read: Why More Kenyans Are Converting Their Cars to LPG – Costs, Pros, and How It Works
HELB Releases Update on Student Upkeep Loans Following New University Fee Structure