The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has announced that first-time loan applications will open soon and urged students to prepare their documents in advance.

In a statement on its X account on June 17, 2026, the Higher Education Loans Board said applicants should stay alert for the official opening date through its communication channels.

“First-Time Applications will be opening soon. A little preparation now can save you a lot of time later. Stay tuned to our official channels for application updates,” HELB said.

The board further advised students to check the application guidelines shared on its posters and official platforms, noting that readiness would help streamline the process once applications officially open.

“In the meantime, check the poster below and get your application requirements ready.”

Application requirements

1. A valid email address & mobile number
2. KCPE & KCSE index numbers plus year of examination
3. Passport-size photo (in jpeg/jpg/png)
4. Copy of National ID/Maisha Card (both sides)
5. Valid bank details or a valid M-Pesa number (registered under the applicant’s ID number)
6. Birth Certificate in PDF (If applying as a minor)
7. Copy of the sponsorship letter (in PDF) if sponsored in a secondary school
8. Parents’/Guarantor’s requirements
9. Parents’ National ID and registered mobile number
10. Copy of the parents’ death certificate if deceased (in PDF)
11. Two guarantors’ ID numbers and registered mobile numbers (can be parents)

KUCCPS portal closure

The announcement comes weeks after the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) closed the revision window on May 22, 2026.

The agency said candidates who successfully secured provisional slots will receive official details of their university and course placements in July 2026.

“Dear Candidate, You have secured a provisional placement in one of the degree courses you selected. Details of the course and university will be communicated in July 2026. Please do not attempt to apply again,” read part of the message sent to applicants.

KUCCPS revealed that 212,510 students who scored a mean grade of C+ and above in the 2025 KCSE examinations have already applied for placement. This represents 79.1 per cent of the 268,714 candidates who qualified for university admission.