HELB App Error Locks Out Students, Agency Urges Direct Contact.
The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has advised students facing issues with its application to contact the agency directly for assistance. The HELB app has been experiencing technical glitches, with users receiving an error message that prevents access to services.
Many students attempting to use the application encounter an error message stating “device changed,” even when no such change has occurred. This technical issue has disrupted access to vital HELB services, prompting the agency to step in.
In a statement posted on X, HELB urged affected students to reach out for direct support. The agency recommended contacting them via direct messages, email at [email protected], or phone at 0711052000 to resolve the issue promptly.
Delayed Disbursements Amid Student Complaints
The app error compounds frustrations already brewing over delays in loan disbursements. University of Nairobi students recently issued an ultimatum for HELB to release funds ahead of their examinations.
Although the government disbursed Ksh19 billion for basic education and Ksh15 billion in capitation funds last week, HELB disbursements remain a pressing concern for university students.
These delays have been a recurring challenge, disrupting academic plans and leaving many students unable to cover essential expenses like tuition and daily upkeep. The untimely release of funds has become a significant hurdle, forcing some beneficiaries to delay or defer their studies.
Students have consistently criticized the unpredictability of HELB’s disbursement schedule. The delays are often attributed to budgetary constraints, growing demand for loans, and low repayment rates from previous beneficiaries. With an increasing number of applicants, HELB’s resources have been stretched thin, further complicating the situation.
Since its establishment in 1995, HELB has sought to bridge financial gaps for students in universities and technical institutions. Loans, ranging from Ksh35,000 to Ksh60,000 annually, are disbursed based on financial need and course requirements. However, frequent delays have left many students struggling to keep up with tuition payments, jeopardizing their education.
Implications for New Entrants
The technical issues with the HELB app emerge as the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) class of 2024 prepares to join universities and colleges in September. This period is also marked by HELB’s impending merger with the University Fund under President William Ruto’s new funding model.
The new funding approach, aimed at addressing inefficiencies, is set to come into effect in September. It will apply to the 2024 Form Four leavers joining higher education institutions.
Read Also: High Court Halts KNEC’s Mid-Year KCSE Retake Plan
A special committee, appointed by President Ruto in 2023, recently submitted a preliminary report proposing revisions to the funding model, as confirmed by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba.
As HELB grapples with app malfunctions and delayed disbursements, students remain at the mercy of a system struggling to meet growing financial demands. With proposed reforms on the horizon, stakeholders hope for a smoother, more reliable framework to support higher education financing in Kenya.
HELB App Error Locks Out Students, Agency Urges Direct Contact
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