The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has started disbursing tuition funds for the 2025/26 academic year, providing relief to thousands of university students who had been anxiously awaiting updates on their funding applications.
The payments cover both first-time applicants and continuing beneficiaries under the government-backed student financing programme.
HELB confirmed on June 24 that tuition disbursements are already underway, with additional payments including upkeep loans, scholarships, and other student support funds expected to follow.
The development comes after weeks of concern among students who feared they had missed out on funding as universities prepare for the next academic cycle.
HELB starts releasing tuition funds for 2025/26 academic year
HELB confirmed that tuition payments have been processed under designated batch numbers and advised students to verify the remittances through their respective university finance departments.
The board indicated that both new and continuing applicants are benefiting from the latest disbursement exercise.
According to information available, batches already processed include 6938, 6939, 6940, and 6948, with additional batches expected to be released in the coming days.
HELB batches confirmed as paid
| Batch Number | Status |
|---|---|
| 6938 | Paid |
| 6939 | Paid |
| 6940 | Paid |
| 6948 | Paid |
| Additional batches | Expected soon |
The disbursements provide much-needed certainty for students preparing for the upcoming academic year.
Students had raised concerns over funding delays
The announcement follows growing anxiety among university students who had reported delays in receiving communication regarding their loan applications.
Many applicants expressed concern after failing to receive allocation notifications despite submitting their applications within the required timelines.
The uncertainty had intensified as institutions continued preparations for the next intake cycle scheduled for September.
While tuition funds have now started reaching universities, some students are still awaiting confirmation regarding their allocations and the status of other financial support components.
Funding areas covered by HELB
| Support Type | Status |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Being disbursed |
| First-time loans | Being processed |
| Subsequent loans | Being processed |
| Scholarships | Expected to follow |
| Upkeep loans | Awaiting clarification |
| Personal loans | Expected to follow |
The board has not yet provided a timeline for the release of upkeep funds, which many students rely on for daily expenses.
Treasury boosts HELB funding to record KSh58 billion
The latest disbursement exercise comes after the National Treasury allocated a record KSh58 billion to student financing in the 2026/27 financial year.
The allocation represents a significant increase from the previous KSh41 billion budget and is intended to support learners under the Student-Centred Funding Model.
HELB funding growth
| Financial Year | Allocation |
|---|---|
| Previous Budget | KSh41 Billion |
| 2026/27 Budget | KSh58 Billion |
| Increase | KSh17 Billion |
Government officials say the additional funding is intended to improve access to higher education and reduce financial barriers facing students.
HELB still faces major financial challenges
Despite the increased allocation, HELB continues to face significant funding pressures.
The board has previously indicated that demand for student financing exceeds available resources by a wide margin. In a recent financial year, HELB required more than KSh112 billion to meet demand but received less than half of that amount.
At the same time, non-performing loans have surpassed KSh30 billion, largely due to unemployment and income instability among graduates struggling to repay their loans.
Key financial challenges facing HELB
| Challenge | Impact |
|---|---|
| Funding demand above KSh112 billion | Resource shortages |
| Non-performing loans above KSh30 billion | Reduced revolving funds |
| Graduate unemployment | Lower loan repayments |
| Rising student numbers | Increased funding pressure |
These challenges continue to test the sustainability of the student loan programme despite increased government support.
Students await upkeep loan announcement
While the release of tuition funds marks an important step, many students remain focused on the disbursement of upkeep loans, which help cover accommodation, food, transport, and other living expenses.
HELB has not yet announced when upkeep payments will be released, leaving thousands of beneficiaries waiting for further communication.
For now, the commencement of tuition disbursements offers reassurance that the 2025/26 funding cycle is underway, easing fears among students and universities as preparations for the next academic year gather pace.
