September 8 (2026/2027 cycle first-time applicant window)
Level
Undergraduate, Diploma, and TVET Certificate
Acceptance
—
Difficulty
—
Quick Summary
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), Kenya offers Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Scholarship and Bursary, a funding opportunity designed for international students heading to Kenya. The award covers a student's assessed need band determines the split between a non-repayable scholarship, a repayable HELB loan, and the family's own contribution, so two students at the same institution can receive very different amounts depending on where the Means Testing Instrument places them. Vulnerable and Extremely Needy students receive the largest scholarship share of their funding package, while Less Needy students are funded mostly through the loan component. and is open to undergraduate, diploma, and tvet certificate students studying all fields recognized by the commission for university education (cue) or relevant tvet accrediting body. The scholarship runs for 1-2 years and may be renewed annually based on academic performance. Eligibility is generally based on kenyan citizens and permanent residents placed by KUCCPS into a recognized university, TVET institution, or college qualify to apply, with the Means Testing Instrument then sorting each applicant into one of the four need bands that set their scholarship-to-loan ratio. First-time applicants for the 2026/2027 academic year apply primarily through the newer Higher Education Financing portal rather than HELB's legacy system. The application deadline is September 8 (2026/2027 cycle first-time applicant window). EduAtlasHub tracks updated deadlines, coverage details and eligibility requirements for this scholarship as they change.
✨ Should I Apply for Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Scholarship and Bursary?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
75%
Eligibility Match
50%
Win Probability
6/10
Difficulty
7/10
Reward Score
20-35 hrs
Time Required
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
See details
⏳
Duration
—
📅
Deadline
September 8 (2026/2027 cycle first-time applicant window)
🌎
Fields
All fields recognized by the Commission for University Education (CUE) or relevant TVET accrediting body
🏆
Awards/Year
—
🌏
Study Country
Kenya
🏛️
Provider
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), Kenya
📊
Acceptance
—
HELB's scholarship and bursary funding now runs inside Kenya's Student-Centred Funding Model, which sorts every applicant into a need band — Vulnerable, Extremely Needy, Needy, or Less Needy — and splits their funding package between a non-repayable scholarship portion, a repayable HELB loan, and a household contribution the family is expected to cover. The proportion of scholarship versus loan shifts sharply by band: students placed in the Vulnerable band draw the largest scholarship share and the smallest expected household contribution, while Less Needy students receive proportionally more loan. For the 2026/2027 cycle, first-time undergraduate and TVET applicants apply mainly through the Higher Education Financing (HEF) portal rather than the legacy HELB student portal used for continuing loan applicants.
👥 Who Should Apply
Kenyan citizens and permanent residents placed by KUCCPS into a recognized university, TVET institution, or college qualify to apply, with the Means Testing Instrument then sorting each applicant into one of the four need bands that set their scholarship-to-loan ratio. First-time applicants for the 2026/2027 academic year apply primarily through the newer Higher Education Financing portal rather than HELB's legacy system.
🏛️ Host University
All recognized public and private universities and TVET institutions in Kenya
🤝 Sponsor
Government of Kenya, via HELB and the Higher Education Financing (HEF) model
🌎 Fields of Study
All fields recognized by the Commission for University Education (CUE) or relevant TVET accrediting body
✨ Key Benefits
A student's assessed need band determines the split between a non-repayable scholarship, a repayable HELB loan, and the family's own contribution, so two students at the same institution can receive very different amounts depending on where the Means Testing Instrument places them. Vulnerable and Extremely Needy students receive the largest scholarship share of their funding package, while Less Needy students are funded mostly through the loan component.
🎯 Target Students
Kenyan students assessed as vulnerable, extremely needy, or needy under the government's funding model
Access to a repayable HELB loan to cover the funding gap not met by the scholarship portion
🔄 Renewable
Yes
📋 Renewal Conditions
Must submit a subsequent application each academic year and maintain satisfactory academic progress
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Kenyan citizen or permanent resident, placed in a recognized public or private university, TVET institution or college, assessed via the Means Testing Instrument into a funding need band
🎓 Academic Level
Undergraduate, Diploma, and TVET Certificate
💼 Work Experience
Not required
🏆 Leadership
No
💰 Financial Need
Yes, mandatory, verified through the Means Testing Instrument
🎯 Target Students
Kenyan students assessed as vulnerable, extremely needy, or needy under the government's funding model
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
No
Rec Letters
2 letters
Interview
No
Application Fee
Free
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
📋 Application Process
Complete the Means Testing Instrument questionnaire carefully and accurately, since your funding band — not a fixed scholarship amount — is what determines how much of your package is a grant versus a loan you must repay. Apply through the Higher Education Financing portal if you are a first-time applicant for 2026/2027, since the older HELB portal is now mainly for continuing/subsequent loan applicants.
💡 Insider Tip: Have your KRA PIN, national ID, and parent or guardian IDs ready before starting the application, and gather any supporting documents (death certificates for orphans, disability certification, etc.) that support your need-band assessment. Missing documentation is a common reason applications stall in review, since the need-band placement depends directly on what's submitted at application time.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
June 15 (2026/2027 cycle)
⏰ Deadline
September 8 (2026/2027 cycle first-time applicant window)
🎤 Interview
No
🎓 Study Starts
September annually
June 15 (2026/2027 cycle)
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
September 8 (2026/2027 cycle first-time applicant window)
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
No
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
September annually
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Means Testing Instrument poverty score, KUCCPS placement, household socio-economic status
⚡ Similar Scholarships
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Country
Coverage
Level
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Scholarship and BursaryCurrent
Kenya
Partial Funding
Undergraduate, Diploma, and TVET Certificate
—
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🌍 Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme (Ismaili Scholarship)
Multiple Countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada, Egypt, India, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Portugal, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uganda, France, USA)
Kenyan citizens and permanent residents placed by KUCCPS into a recognized university, TVET institution, or college qualify to apply, with the Means Testing Instrument then sorting each applicant into one of the four need bands that set their scholarship-to-loan ratio. First-time applicants for the 2026/2027 academic year apply primarily through the newer Higher Education Financing portal rather than HELB's legacy system.
A student's assessed need band determines the split between a non-repayable scholarship, a repayable HELB loan, and the family's own contribution, so two students at the same institution can receive very different amounts depending on where the Means Testing Instrument places them. Vulnerable and Extremely Needy students receive the largest scholarship share of their funding package, while Less Needy students are funded mostly through the loan component. Coverage may vary — check the official website for exact details.
The deadline is September 8 (2026/2027 cycle first-time applicant window). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Competitive. Acceptance rate: Varies. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
Yes
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Check website, 2 letters recommendation letters, CV. Check official website for the complete list.