As the number of students applying for Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans surpasses one million, the board has outlined the procedure for withdrawing upkeep funds.
In a notice on Wednesday, August 27, HELB explained that beneficiaries can access their upkeep through mobile money by dialling the self-service USSD code *642#.
Applicants must ensure that the mobile money account used for withdrawal is registered under their official name and national identification number.
HELB further clarified that upkeep funds become available only after beneficiaries receive a second Sure Pay confirmation message.
Each transaction will be charged at Ksh15, but you will be able to access your money in a short time.
Step-by-Step Guide to Withdrawing HELB Upkeep Funds
- Access the self-serve site by dialling *642#.
- Register and choose a PIN that you will remember.
- Dial *642# again to log in.
- Select the withdraw funds option.
- Choose the upkeep option and indicate the amount you want to withdraw.
- Enter the mobile money account PIN to complete the transaction.
- A confirmation message from the mobile money account will be sent to you.
This notice comes just weeks after the board announced changes in how upkeep funds will be disbursed to continuing university and college students who applied for subsequent loans.
While clarifying that the scholarship component of the loans had not been removed, HELB stated that it would henceforth be processed separately from the upkeep funds.
"HELB has changed the structure of allocations, the scholarship has not been removed, it has just been separated from your upkeep and will be processed differently," the August 8 statement read.
