The Higher Education Loans Board has urged students to keep their registered mobile money numbers unchanged throughout their studies, warning that incorrect payment details can lead to delayed or failed loan disbursements.
The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has urged university and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) students to maintain accurate mobile money details to avoid delays in receiving their upkeep funds and other student loan payments.
In a statement published on Thursday, 15 October, the board advised beneficiaries to retain the mobile money number provided during their loan applications and ensure their records remain up to date.
“One number. No confusion. Keep the same mobile money number registered with HELB throughout your studies to avoid delayed or failed disbursements,” the board stated.
The warning comes as students continue to face funding challenges, with incorrect payment information identified as one of the reasons some loan funds are returned before reaching beneficiaries.
Incorrect details blamed for returned funds
HELB Chief Executive Officer Ekwee Ethuro has previously indicated that up to 40 per cent of returned funds result from students providing incorrect or updated account details.
Students who change their mobile money numbers without updating their records risk payment interruptions as the board processes upkeep allowances and other disbursements.
The issue adds to wider concerns over higher education financing, with more than 140,000 university and TVET students reportedly affected by loan allocation challenges and cash shortages.
First-year students have also experienced processing delays linked to late issuance of National Identity Cards and mismatches between examination index numbers and identification details recorded on the Higher Education Financing (HEF) portal.
How students can check their HELB payment details
Students who have not received their funds have been advised to log into the HEF portal and verify their registered mobile money number, bank account information and identification details.
Where any information has changed, beneficiaries should update their profiles to ensure HELB has the correct details before subsequent disbursements are processed.
Students whose payments are returned because of incorrect account information may receive SMS notifications. According to the guidance provided, payments can be reprocessed after the relevant details have been corrected and updated.
Where to seek help over delayed payments
Students experiencing persistent problems correcting their application details have been encouraged to visit the nearest Huduma Centre or HELB office for assistance.
Keeping payment information accurate and consistent can help students avoid preventable disbursement delays as they wait for their education funding.
Beneficiaries are also encouraged to monitor official HELB communications for updates on loan processing and payment schedules.
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