HELB CEO Highlights Errors in Account Details Causing Delays in Student Loan Disbursement.
The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Chief Executive Officer, Geoffrey Monari, has attributed delays in student loan disbursements to incorrect account details provided by applicants.
Speaking before the National Assembly Education Committee on Thursday morning, Monari pointed out that students, particularly those opting for mobile money payments, often submit inaccurate phone numbers. He noted that many students frequently change their phone numbers, leading to mismatches between the number used during application and the one available at the time of disbursement.
Due to these discrepancies, Monari reported that approximately 40 per cent of the disbursed funds are returned to the board. He explained that the board is then forced to redirect the payments once the students provide accurate details. To enhance efficiency, HELB notifies all beneficiaries about the disbursement via a Short Message Service (SMS) sent to their registered devices.
Enhanced Communication to Address Challenges
While addressing legislators, Monari assured them that HELB has implemented a robust communication framework to streamline interactions between students and the board.
The announcement came just a day after the board had disbursed Ksh1.56 billion to students for tuition and upkeep. Beneficiaries were informed of the funds through HELB’s official channels.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba also disclosed that as of Tuesday, March 18, a total of 33,863 university students had received loan disbursements. With this latest allocation, HELB has provided a total of Ksh32.7 billion in loans for tuition and upkeep to 390,612 university students in the 2024/2025 financial year.
Ogamba emphasized that these funds would enable students to continue their studies, research, and training programs without financial interruptions.
HELB Issues Warning Against Scammers
HELB has also cautioned students and the public against fraudsters posing as board officials to swindle unsuspecting victims.
In a notice issued on Thursday, March 20, HELB acknowledged the rise of fraudulent schemes on social media, where scammers deceive individuals into sending money under the pretense of facilitating HELB services. The board clarified that all its services are free of charge and urged students to seek assistance exclusively through official HELB channels.
HELB provides financial support to students in universities and technical institutions, covering tuition, accommodation, and other educational expenses. However, fraudsters continue to exploit students seeking financial aid, often demanding payment to activate accounts or process loan applications.
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To counter these fraudulent activities, students were advised to rely solely on verified HELB social media platforms for authentic communication regarding financial assistance.
President Ruto Directs Disbursement of Additional Funds
The warning came shortly after President William Ruto instructed HELB to release Ksh1.56 billion to students across various institutions for tuition and upkeep. Following his directive, over 65,000 students are set to receive financial assistance directly into their accounts.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba confirmed that all eligible students had been informed of the disbursements through HELB’s official channels and advised them to check their HELB portals for updates.
HELB CEO Highlights Errors in Account Details Causing Delays in Student Loan Disbursement.
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