HELB Clarifies Reports of Student Loans Cancellation
The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has flagged a notice stating that a group of students will be denied funding for two years.
HELB stated that the post was deceptive and did not originate from its authenticated social media outlets.
The bogus social media post implied that students with batch numbers 4260 and 4389 would begin receiving financial aid in 2024.
It attributed the cancellation to a purported instruction from the National Treasury prohibiting the transfer of funds to HELB coffers for the fiscal year 2023–24.
“It has come to our attention of a photoshopped picture circulating on social media purporting that it is from HELB.
"This is to confirm that it is fake news,” HELB insisted.
The message began to circulate when several applicants voiced concerns about delays in cash distribution. Most students from institutions of higher education were dissatisfied with the board, citing they struggled to pay school fees and buy food.
HELB reacted to such concerns by stating, “We are currently working on the disbursements, which shall be communicated once the payment is made.
In July 2022, HELB began accepting applications for the 2022-2023 school year. The program targeted students who had been placed by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Services (KUCCPS).
The commission on University Education (CUE)-recognized public university students were also eligible for the funding.
HELB extended the enrollment deadline until November 30, 2022, enabling more students to enroll in the program.
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Each year, undergraduate students receive loans ranging from Ksh40,000 to Ksh60,000. They are required to begin repayment immediately following graduation.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta vetoed reforms in the HELB sector that would have let recipients repay the loans after obtaining the job.
HELB Clarifies Reports of Student Loans Cancellation
