The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has begun disbursing second-semester upkeep funds to eligible university and TVET students, offering critical financial support under the Student-Centred Funding Model for the 2025/2026 academic year.
The disbursement, which started in January 2026, aims to ensure students can meet their living and study-related expenses without disruption as institutions progress through varying academic calendars.
Sh1.56 Billion Sent to Students
In the latest batch, HELB released Sh1.56 billion to 68,482 students, with funds sent directly to beneficiaries’ accounts to support accommodation, food, and other daily needs during the second semester.
According to HELB, total disbursements so far in 2026 stand at Sh28.73 billion, benefiting 665,113 students enrolled in universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions nationwide.
Breakdown of Beneficiaries
- University students:
- 514,901 beneficiaries
- Sh24.40 billion disbursed
- TVET students:
- 150,212 beneficiaries
- Sh4.33 billion disbursed
The funds include tuition support paid directly to institutions and upkeep loans credited to students to cover daily living and academic expenses.
Student-Centred Funding Model in Action
HELB noted that allocations are guided by the Student-Centred Funding Model, which assesses individual financial need to ensure equitable support for both university and TVET learners.
Disbursements are also aligned with confirmed semester timelines, recognizing differences in academic calendars across institutions to ensure timely funding.
Important Notices to Students
- Check HELB Portals: Students are advised to regularly monitor their HELB student portals and mobile notifications, as funds are released in batches.
- Loan Repayment Reminder: HELB continues to urge past beneficiaries to repay their loans, citing rising default rates among professionals, including doctors and lawyers.
- Fraud Warning: Students have been warned to beware of fraudsters and to rely only on official HELB communication channels for updates.
What to Expect Next
- Additional upkeep disbursements will continue in batches as processing progresses.
- Updates on tuition funding, which is handled separately through the Universities Fund, are expected in the coming weeks.
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