Relief for university and TVET students as Helb distributes student loans
The Higher Education Loans Board began disbursing student loans to universities and TVET institutions on Wednesday.
Helb CEO Charles Ringera stated in a statement that the Old Higher Education Funding Model [OFM] upkeep loans for the more than 175,000 undergraduate and more than 70,000 TVET continuing students are now being issued.
Students will get it according to their own preferred payment methods (bank account or HELB Mobile Wallet).
“Higher Learning Institutions (HLIS) – Universities and Colleges are advised to allow students to register as tuition fees to various institutions have also been released and should be reflected in the respective bank accounts of the HLIS by October 5, 2023,” Ringera stated.
The New Higher Education Funding Model [NFM] application date for loans and scholarships is October 7, 2023.
According to the extension given by Ezekiel Machogu, the education secretary, on September 5, 2023. T
He stated that soon after the deadline of October 7, 2023, the processing and disbursement of their Loans and Scholarships for both tuition and maintenance will occur.
The start of disbursing student loans has come after Kenya University Student Organisation President Jesse Saruni warned the government over delays in disbursement of Helb loans.
Saruni said that by the end of the week if something can not be done, a new directive on what should be done will be issued.
” I am in talks with the CS and guys in the ministry to have the Helb loans expedited,” he said.
Saruni said though he has not received any conclusive answer on when the money will be released, he said the ministry has given assurance that the money will soon be released.
He said the other measures to be considered do not necessarily mean going to the streets.
Saruni said KUSO will lobby from different angles and levels to have students’ Helb loans released.
This comes as the delays in Helb loan disbursement enter its second month.
We asked Saruni whether KUSO would lead protests over the delays as former KUSO President Anthony Manyara had said.
Saruni said there will be no demos, adding that Manyara cannot speak on behalf of KUSO as he is no longer the President of the student’s body.
Relief for university and TVET students as Helb distributes student loans
