The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has officially opened applications for the 2026/27 Jielimishe Loan, offering employed Kenyans access to up to Ksh600,000 to finance university, postgraduate and professional studies while remaining in employment.
The programme targets salaried learners seeking to upgrade their academic qualifications or professional skills without interrupting their careers, as HELB continues broadening its education financing portfolio beyond traditional undergraduate and TVET beneficiaries.
Under the scheme, successful applicants will access loans of up to Ksh600,000, repayable over between 12 and 48 months through monthly payroll deductions.
The facility also carries an annual interest rate of 10 per cent and includes a credit life insurance cover designed to protect borrowers throughout the repayment period.
The latest rollout comes as demand for professional development continues to rise amid changing workplace requirements and increasing competition in Kenya's labour market.
HELB Targets Working Professionals With Flexible Education Financing
According to HELB, the Jielimishe Loan is specifically tailored for salaried individuals pursuing approved university, postgraduate and professional courses while remaining in active employment.
Unlike the board's undergraduate and TVET funding programmes, which mainly support students entering higher education, the facility focuses on professionals seeking career advancement through continuous learning.
HELB said eligible applicants should submit their applications through its online platform as the 2026/27 funding cycle gets underway.
The board has also highlighted several features intended to make the facility more accessible, including faster loan processing, payroll-based repayments and flexible repayment periods aligned with borrowers' income.
The programme also includes credit life insurance, offering additional financial protection in the event of unforeseen circumstances during the repayment period.
Rollout Follows Undergraduate and TVET Loan Applications
The opening of the Jielimishe Loan follows HELB's recent launch of applications for first-time undergraduate and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) loans and scholarships for the 2026/27 academic year.
At the time, the board urged eligible students to submit applications early through its online portal to minimise delays in processing and disbursement.
The expansion of the funding window reflects HELB's broader strategy of supporting learners at different stages of their education and career progression.
Borrowers Urged to Maintain Loan Repayments
HELB has also reminded beneficiaries with existing loans to continue servicing their obligations through employer payroll deductions in line with the board's repayment schedule.
According to the board, timely repayments enable borrowers to obtain compliance certificates required for employment and other official processes, while those who clear their balances become eligible for loan clearance certificates.
The institution has consistently maintained that repayments are critical in sustaining its revolving education fund, allowing resources recovered from previous beneficiaries to finance new students joining colleges and universities each academic year.
As applications open for the 2026/27 cycle, HELB is banking on the Jielimishe Loan to strengthen access to lifelong learning and professional development while ensuring more working Kenyans can acquire advanced qualifications without disrupting their employment.
