HELB Employers Engagement Forum

In line with achieving the goal of ensuring it becomes a sustainable national revolving fund and a one-stop-shop for higher education financing, the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has over the years been proactive in engaging stakeholders through various forums and across all mediums. Against this background, in 2018, HELB is sensitizing employers on their role in supporting loan repayment. The organization therefore recently held an employers’ engagement forum in Nairobi.

The event whose theme was “keeping Dreams Alive-The Role of the employer in ensuring the sustainability of the HELB Fund,” was graced by the Education Cabinet Secretary ( CS), Dr. Amina Mohamed. In her speech, Dr. Mohammed directed that student and universities are to on board smart cards during the 2018/2019 academic year so as to eliminate loan disbursement delays. TVET institutions were also directed to introduce smart cards. Furthermore, the CS indicated that HELB should disburse a portion of the disbursement to eligible TVET students to cater for their upkeep. She also announced a 100% HELB loan penalty waiver (being enjoyed currently until the end of June 2018) for loanees making one lump sum payment.

The event saw the launch of the HELB Employer’s Portal – an online platform designed to make it easier for employers to check on the status and remit their staff loan payment. The portal is accessible through HELB’s website. HELB also seized that opportunity to recognize and appreciate employers for playing their part in ensuring the sustainability of the HELB Fund through compliance. Additionally, HELB also introduced the Compass, a HELB publication that seeks to guide various stakeholders through informative content on various aspects of higher education financial management.