Calculate your HELB student loan repayments, total interest, and repayment schedule for undergraduate, postgraduate, and TVET loans.
The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) is Kenya's primary government student financing institution, established under the Higher Education Loans Board Act of 1995. HELB provides loans, bursaries, and scholarships to Kenyan students pursuing higher education at universities, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, and other accredited learning centres. Since its inception, HELB has disbursed over KSh 120 billion to more than 1.5 million students.
HELB undergraduate loans are means-tested, meaning the amount you receive depends on your family's financial circumstances. The maximum undergraduate loan is KSh 60,000 per academic year (approximately KSh 240,000 for a four-year degree), though most students receive between KSh 37,000 and KSh 60,000. The loan carries an interest rate of 4% per annum, which is significantly lower than commercial lending rates in Kenya (typically 13-18%). Interest begins accruing from the date of first disbursement, including during the study period.
Repayment begins one year after completing studies (the grace period). For employed graduates, employers are legally required to deduct HELB repayments from salaries and remit them directly to HELB. The standard deduction is graduated based on salary: those earning KSh 50,000 or less pay KSh 1,500/month, while those earning above KSh 100,000 pay KSh 5,000/month. Self-employed graduates must make direct payments. Failure to repay results in penalties (5% on outstanding amounts), listing with Credit Reference Bureaus (CRB), and inability to obtain a HELB compliance certificate — which is increasingly required by employers.
Postgraduate loans of up to KSh 100,000/year for Master's and KSh 150,000/year for PhD programmes are available. TVET students can access up to KSh 40,000/year. All loan types carry the same 4% interest rate. HELB also provides Afya Elimu loans for medical and health science students, with higher limits to cover the typically more expensive medical training.
Undergraduate loans range from KSh 37,000 to KSh 60,000 per year based on a means test. Factors include parents' income, number of siblings in school, orphan status, and disability status. You can apply for an upward review if your circumstances change.
Defaulting on HELB has serious consequences: a 5% penalty on unpaid amounts, listing with CRB (affecting your credit score), inability to get a HELB compliance certificate (required by many employers), and potential legal action. If unemployed, apply for a deferment rather than defaulting.
Yes, you can make lump-sum payments or increase your monthly repayment to clear the loan faster. There's no penalty for early repayment. You can pay via M-Pesa (Paybill 200800), bank deposit, or employer deduction. Early repayment saves you interest.