The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has issued guidelines for applicants on updating their details with the board when they get a new phone number.
It stated that applicants who change their SIM cards must update their phone numbers with HELB in order to continue accessing services, including via the USSD code (*642#).
According to HELB, updating their details will ensure that students receive loan disbursements without disruption.
“We encourage you to maintain your registered mobile number throughout your study period for smooth transactions,” HELB noted in its advisory.
In a notice on September 10, the board advised applicants to contact HELB through its official communication channels and ensure they have their National ID number ready when making inquiries.
According to the board, students can also visit HELB’s main offices at Anniversary Towers M1 or seek assistance at help desks located in Huduma Centres across the country to be guided on how to update their details after a SIM swap.
For those reaching out via social media, HELB urged applicants to send a direct messages (DM) to the board’s official pages, and include their ID number and new phone number.
Additionally, applicants can download the “Student’s Personal Bank and Phone Details Change Request Form” from the HELB website.
Once filled with the updated phone number and other necessary details, the form should be submitted with a clear note indicating that the changes are due to a change of SIM card.
HELB emphasized that keeping personal information updated helps prevent delays and ensures a smooth experience when accessing loan services.
On September 9, the board released a status update regarding HELB applications. The report indicated that as of September 9, 2025, a total of 1,150,578 students had applied for both UG and TVET loans.
The data showed that 753,227 applications were from undergraduate students, with the remaining 397,351 from Technical and Vocational Education and Training applicants.
The board encouraged first-time applicants to submit their forms, noting that the application portal will remain open until September 14, 2025.
