HELB says start repaying even without a job. The recommended minimum is Ksh 1,500 a month.

On Wednesday, 11 November, HELB told borrowers who aren’t on a payroll that they don’t have to wait for permanent employment to start repaying.

What HELB said

✓ Small-scale traders, kiosk operators, freelancers and other informal workers are encouraged to repay according to their ability
✓ Ksh 1,500 a month is the recommended minimum for borrowers who aren’t on formal payrolls
✓ HELB gave the same baseline in August, after borrowers asked how little they could pay

How to repay without an employer

Dial *642# on the line registered to your HELB account
Log in or register
Select Loan Repayment, then M-Pesa
Enter the amount and your M-Pesa PIN

HELB also offers repayment through its app and the eCitizen gateway.

If you’re employed, check your payslip

• Tell your employer about your HELB loan so monthly deductions start
• Compare your payslip with your HELB statement from the portal or app
• If your payslip shows HELB deductions but your statement doesn’t, the employer hasn’t remitted them. HELB charges employers 5% a month on deductions they make but don’t remit, so keep your payslips as evidence

The basics

✓ Repayment starts within one year of finishing your studies
✓ Undergraduate loans carry 4% interest a year
✓ In August, HELB offered up to 80% off penalties for borrowers who clear their balance in full. The notice gave no deadline, so check whether it’s still open

Scam warning

Fraudsters use look-alike paybill numbers. Confirm payment details on HELB’s official channels before you send money.

Studoke tracks HELB updates and scholarship alerts in one place. Search “StudoKe” on Play Store.