HELB Announces Mandatory ID Update for Students Who Applied as Minors.
The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has issued a circular to loan applicants who applied for student financing using their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) index numbers to update their profiles with National Identification (ID) numbers upon receiving their national ID cards.
In a notice dated 21 July 2025, HELB announced that students who applied as minors using their KCSE index numbers can now log into their Higher Education Financing (HEF) portal accounts to update their identity. HELB noted that this is mandatory to maintain accurate identification records and access to student financing services.
Affected applicants are required to follow the procedure below:
- Log in to the HEF portal account that was created using the KCSE index number.
- Upon login, the system will prompt you to update your ID details.
- Enter your National ID number and first name as it appears on the National Identity Card.
- Click “Validate” to submit.
- A pop-up will confirm that the ID has been updated.
- Click “Register” to complete the update.
Do not create a new account. “Do not create a new account. Update the one you opened using your index number with your National ID details,” HELB warned.
The update comes at a time when the loan and scholarship application period for 2025/2026 is ongoing. HELB recently opened the application portal for both undergraduate and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students who sat 2024 KCSE.
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As stated in the 2025 HELB communication:
- First time loan applicants should apply via Higher Education Financing (HEF) portal at www.hef.co.ke.
- Continuing students should use either HELB Mobile Application or dial *642# to submit subsequent applications.
“2025-2026 First Time and Subsequent Applications for Undergraduate and TVET Loans and Scholarships are now open,” HELB confirmed.After KUCCPS released the placement results. 244,563 candidates qualified for degree programmes. 201,695 applied. 310,502 placed in universities and colleges.
HELB Announces Mandatory ID Update for Students Who Applied as Minors
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