The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) is a cornerstone of Kenya’s higher education system, providing affordable loans, bursaries, and scholarships to students pursuing university and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs. As of June 2025, HELB has released critical updates on the payment status of various loan batches for the 2024/2025 academic year, addressing the concerns of thousands of students awaiting funds for tuition and upkeep. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the latest HELB batch payment updates, including the status of batches 6090, 5885, 6194, 6248, 6261, 5980, 6265, 6266, and 6295. It also explores the disbursement process, reasons for delays, and actionable tips for students to manage their finances during this period.
Established in 1995 under the Higher Education Loans Board Act, HELB is a state corporation under Kenya’s Ministry of Education tasked with financing higher education for Kenyan students. The board disburses funds to cover tuition fees, accommodation, and living expenses, enabling students from diverse economic backgrounds to access university and TVET education. In the 2024/2025 financial year, HELB has disbursed over Kshs. 32.7 billion to support 195,522 TVET trainees and 390,612 university students, demonstrating its critical role in Kenya’s education sector.
Recent updates on batch payments have drawn significant attention, as timely disbursements are essential for students to meet academic and personal expenses. HELB’s batch system organizes loan disbursements into groups, allowing students to track their payment status via batch numbers. This article delves into the latest payment updates, offering clarity on the status of specific batches and guidance for affected students.
Latest HELB Batch Payment Updates for June 2025
HELB has provided the following updates on batch payments as of June 2025, addressing the status of several batches for the 2024/2025 academic year:
- Batch 6090: Payment has been completed, and funds have been disbursed to students’ accounts or institutions. Students should check their bank accounts or MPESA wallets for upkeep funds and confirm with their institution’s finance office for tuition payments.
- Batch 5885: Payment is still in progress. HELB has assured students that an SMS notification will be sent via the SurePay platform once funds are successfully posted to accounts.
- Batch 6194: Payment is still in progress. An SMS will be sent to beneficiaries upon successful disbursement.
- Batch 6248: Payment is still in progress. Students will receive an SMS notification once funds are posted.
- Batch 6261: Payment is in processing, but HELB is unable to provide a specific timeline. Communication will be sent upon payment completion.
- Batch 5980: Payment is still in the payment process. HELB has requested students to remain patient as processing continues.
- Batch 6265, 6266, and 6295: Processing is underway, with no specific timeline provided. HELB will notify students via SMS once payments are finalized.
These updates reflect HELB’s ongoing efforts to disburse funds, with payments typically processed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. Students are advised to regularly check the HELB Student Portal (portal.hef.co.ke) or dial *642# to monitor their batch status.
Understanding the HELB Batch System
HELB uses a batch code system to organize and track loan disbursements efficiently. Each batch number represents a group of students whose loan applications have been processed together, based on approval timelines rather than institutions or regions. Batch numbers are assigned after the following stages:
- Registered: The application and documents are received by HELB.
- Verified: Documents are scrutinized to confirm eligibility and loan amount.
- Allocated: Funds are prepared for disbursement.
- Disbursed: Funds are transferred to institutions (for tuition) or students’ accounts (for upkeep).
- Paid to Account: The final stage, where funds reflect in students’ bank accounts or MPESA wallets, often accompanied by a SurePay SMS notification.
Batch numbers are critical for tracking payment status. For example, a batch number like HELB-6090 identifies a specific group of disbursements. Students can find their batch number in the “My Loans” section of the HELB Student Portal or via the USSD code *642#.
How to Check Your HELB Batch Number
To stay updated on your loan status, follow these steps to check your batch number:
- Via the HELB Student Portal:
- Visit portal.hef.co.ke.
- Log in using your email address and password.
- Navigate to “My Loans” and click “View Details.”
- Your batch number appears in the second-to-last column, with the payment status in the last column.
- Via USSD Code:
- Dial *642# on the phone number registered with HELB.
- Select “Login” and enter your PIN (or register if you haven’t).
- Choose “Loan Disbursement” and select the relevant year to view your batch number via SMS.
- Via Social Media:
- Contact HELB directly through their official Facebook page (@HELBpage) or X account (@HELBpage) to inquire about your batch number.
Students with batch numbers marked “Paid to Account” should expect funds within 48-72 hours, though delays may occur due to banking processes.
The Disbursement Process: How HELB Transfers Funds
HELB disburses funds in two primary categories:
- Tuition Fees: Sent directly to the student’s university or TVET institution to cover academic costs.
- Upkeep Funds: Deposited into students’ bank accounts or MPESA wallets for personal expenses like accommodation, food, and study materials.
SurePay and MPESA Integration
Since April 2023, HELB has partnered with Safaricom to disburse upkeep funds via MPESA, enhancing efficiency and accessibility. The process involves:
- SMS Notification: Students receive a welcome SMS from SurePay, followed by a second SMS confirming the amount credited to their HELB MPESA Wallet (e.g., “You have received Ksh. [Amount] from Higher Education Loans Board for Upkeep”).
- Accessing Funds:
- Dial *642# using the registered phone number.
- Register or log in with a PIN.
- Select “Withdraw Funds,” choose “Upkeep,” enter the desired amount, and confirm with your MPESA PIN.
- Withdrawal Confirmation: Funds are transferred to the student’s MPESA account, typically within minutes.
Tuition funds, library fees, and accommodation costs are sent to institutional pay bill accounts, ensuring direct payment to universities or TVETs.
Reasons for Payment Delays
Despite HELB’s efforts, delays in batch payments are common, causing financial strain for students. Key reasons include:
- Government Funding Shortages: HELB relies on Treasury allocations, and delays in funding can stall disbursements. For instance, competing budgetary priorities may reduce funds available to HELB.
- Verification Challenges: Incomplete or inaccurate documentation during the application process can prolong verification, delaying batch processing.
- Batch Processing Issues: Technical glitches or administrative bottlenecks in HELB’s systems can affect specific batches, causing uneven disbursement schedules.
- Institutional Approvals: Some delays stem from universities or TVETs failing to provide timely clearance or verification for students.
- System Upgrades: Maintenance or updates to HELB’s digital platforms, such as the Student Portal or SurePay, can temporarily slow processing.
For batches 5885, 6194, 6248, 6261, 5980, 6265, 6266, and 6295, which remain in progress or processing, HELB has cited ongoing efforts to resolve these issues but has not provided specific timelines, urging students to remain patient.
Impact of Delayed Disbursements on Students
Delayed HELB payments have significant consequences for students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds:
- Academic Disruptions: Without tuition funds, students may be barred from exams or forced to defer studies. Some universities, like Kenyatta University, have allowed registration for students in allocated batches pending disbursement, but this is not universal.
- Accommodation Challenges: Upkeep funds cover rent and living expenses. Delays can lead to eviction risks or inability to secure housing.
- Financial Stress: Students may struggle to afford food, transport, or study materials, impacting their academic performance and well-being.
- Mental Health Strain: The uncertainty of waiting for funds, coupled with academic pressures, can exacerbate stress and anxiety.
Tips for Students Awaiting HELB Funds
To navigate delays and manage finances effectively, students can take the following steps:
- Monitor Your Batch Status:
- Regularly check the HELB Student Portal or dial *642# to track your batch number and payment status.
- Follow HELB’s official social media accounts (@HELBpage on X and Facebook) for real-time updates.
- Contact HELB Support:
- Reach out via phone (020 2278000), email (contactcentre@helb.co.ke), or social media for personalized assistance.
- Visit the HELB Student Service Centre at Mezzanine 1, Anniversary Towers, Nairobi, if possible.
- Engage Your Institution:
- Inform your university or TVET’s finance office about delays. Some institutions offer provisional registration or payment plans.
- Explore Alternative Funding:
- Seek support from family, community organizations, or part-time work to bridge the gap.
- Apply for bursaries from county governments or organizations like the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD).
- Budget Wisely:
- Prioritize essential expenses like tuition and accommodation.
- Create a budget to stretch available funds and save for emergencies.
- Ensure Accurate Documentation:
- Verify that all application details (e.g., national ID, bank account, phone number) are correct to avoid verification delays.
- Stay Patient but Proactive:
- While waiting for SMS notifications, continue engaging with HELB and your institution to stay informed.
HELB’s Efforts to Address Disbursement Challenges
HELB has acknowledged the concerns surrounding delayed payments and is implementing measures to improve efficiency:
- Increased Funding: In the 2024/2025 financial year, HELB received Kshs. 32.7 billion, with additional disbursements like Kshs. 1.56 billion on March 14, 2025, to support 31,263 TVET trainees and 33,863 university students.
- Digital Enhancements: The HELB Mobile App and SurePay integration with MPESA have simplified access to upkeep funds, though some students report glitches.
- Communication Improvements: HELB is leveraging SMS notifications and social media to keep students informed about batch statuses.
- Streamlined Processes: The Higher Education Financing (HEF) portal, launched in 2023, integrates loan and scholarship applications, reducing processing times for new students.
Despite these efforts, HELB has faced criticism for inconsistent timelines and system glitches. Students have voiced frustrations on platforms like X, with some reporting delays of over five months or missing batch numbers.
Future Outlook: HELB’s Plans for 2025/2026
Looking ahead, HELB aims to enhance its disbursement process to minimize delays:
- Shariah-Compliant Loans: HELB is exploring interest-free financing options to cater to Muslim students, addressing concerns about interest-based loans.
- Budget Increases: The Treasury has proposed increasing HELB’s budget to Kshs. 41 billion for the 2025/2026 financial year, potentially reducing funding shortages.
- System Upgrades: Investments in the HELB app and portal aim to resolve technical issues and improve user experience.
- Partnerships: Collaborations with Safaricom, NCPWD, and other organizations will expand access to funding and support services.
The Higher Education Loans Board remains a vital lifeline for Kenyan students, but delays in batch payments, such as those affecting batches 5885, 6194, 6248, 6261, 5980, 6265, 6266, and 6295, highlight ongoing challenges in the disbursement process. While batch 6090 has been paid, students awaiting other batches should stay proactive by monitoring their status, engaging with HELB, and exploring alternative funding options. By understanding the batch system, verifying documentation, and budgeting wisely, students can mitigate the impact of delays and focus on their academic goals.
For the latest updates, visit www.helb.co.ke, download the HELB Mobile App, or follow @HELBpage on X and Facebook. As HELB works to resolve disbursement issues, students are encouraged to remain patient while advocating for timely financial support to secure their educational future.
