Activate Your HEF Portal Account

The moment you create an account on the New Higher Education Financing (HEF) Portal, an activation link will be sent to your registered email. Learn how to check your email (Inbox or Spam/ Junk) for the link and activate your HEF portal account.

DOs and DON’Ts for HEF Scholarship and Loan Application

Here are some of the guidelines to follow when applying for your First Time Undergraduate and TVET Scholarships & Loans through the New Higher Education Financing Portal.

DO’S

Provide correct information.
Use a valid phone number where applicable.
Use a valid email address with a password that you can remember.
Check if the email is accessible before you begin the application.
Use the correct KCSE Index number and examination year.
Read and understand the Terms and Conditions of the Scholarship and Loan applications.
Provide the required attachments in the right format and size where specified.
Ensure that you provide the current University/College details.
Endeavor to inform the Funding agencies when you change or transfer from one University/College to another or when you change the course.
Ensure that the funding agencies have your current contact i.e. phone number and email address.
Ensure that you apply for your scholarship and Loan on time.

DON’TS

DO NOT use another person’s Mpesa/ bank account details for upkeep payment.
DO NOT use another person’s national identification (ID) number.
DO NOT share your student portal password with anyone.
DO NOT share your PIN for MPESA/bank/ mobile app and USSD with anyone.
DO NOT be conned! Scholarships and loan applications and processing are free.
DO NOT print to submit the physical copy of your application.

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How to Access HEF Portal Account Activation Link

Follow these steps to create an account on the HEF portal, an activation link will be sent to your registered email. Check your email (Inbox or Spam/ Junk) for the link and activate your HEF portal account.

First-Time Undergraduate Applicants – Universities & TVET Institutions applicant through HEF or Universities Fund or HELB Portal.
Click the User Registration tab
Select Applicant Registration, specify if you have a National ID Number then register using your valid email address and ID number or KCSE details if not yet issued with an ID.
Proceed to Login if you already registered or have a profile already
A link will be sent to your email to activate the portal account. Check your Email inbox or spam to activate the link received from the HEF Portal.
Log in with your email and password.
Enter a valid Telephone number to which a verification code will be sent.
Enter the code on the login page to proceed.
Under ‘My Profile’ – give details of your address and Consent to the collection of your data.
Click on Update Profile to fill in the six (6) steps.
Update your Biodata – attach the required documents i.e. both sides of your ID card/birth certificate in PDF and passport in jpeg/png format.
Fill in your residence details.
Add your Secondary and Primary schools’ details i.e. KCSE and KCPE index number and year of examination.
Add your current University/College details.
Fill in your parents’ details and upload your death certificate/burial permit in PDF in case of a deceased parent.
Click on Complete Profile.
Read, and understand the Financial Literacy materials, and do an assessment (You must score 70% to access the Scholarship and Loan Applications).
Tick Scholarship and/or Loan application boxes as applicable. Depending on your selection.
Accept the Scholarship terms and conditions then submit your scholarship request – The scholarship application form is sent to your email address.
Accept the Loan terms and conditions and
Click on First Time Loan Application to proceed.
Add the Guarantors’ details – Parents qualify as guarantors.
Select the preferred Payment mode to facilitate payment of upkeep money (Upkeep payment is for KUCCPS-placed students in Universities and all TVET trainees).
Provide the Mpesa number/ Bank account details – the Mpesa and bank number MUST be registered in your name.
Click on the Submit button to complete your Loan application.