The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has opened the 2026/2027 loan application window for students at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) pursuing Certificate and Diploma courses, giving thousands of medical trainees access to government-backed financing.


The application window opened on August 21, 2026, and will remain open until September 30, 2026.

KMTC has urged eligible students to apply early to avoid last-minute delays and ensure they have access to financial support as they continue their studies.

Civil servants can now borrow up to Ksh500,000 at just 4% interest to pursue higher qualifications, with flexible repayment periods stretching up to six years.
KMTC students now have a clearer path to financing their studies as HELB expands access to structured government education loans.

HELB Loan Applications Open for KMTC Students

The latest funding opportunity covers KMTC students enrolled in Certificate and Diploma programmes during the 2026/2027 academic year.


KMTC announced the opening of the application window on Tuesday, August 25, encouraging eligible learners to take advantage of the new financing arrangement.


The college said the move follows continued efforts to expand access to government-funded higher education financing for medical trainees.


For many KMTC students, the programme represents an important shift from previous arrangements in which they had limited access to the structured loan and scholarship financing available to university students.

Application Window Runs Until September 30

Eligible KMTC students have more than a month to submit their loan applications.


The application period runs from Friday, August 21, to Wednesday, September 30, 2026.


Students have been encouraged not to wait until the final days of the application period because delays could create unnecessary pressure, particularly for those who encounter challenges while completing their applications.


Applicants should ensure that the information provided during the process is accurate and complete before submitting their applications.

How to Apply for the KMTC HELB Loan

Students seeking the loan are required to apply through the Higher Education Financing Portal.


The application process involves the following steps:

  1. Register and provide the required personal and academic details through the Higher Education Financing Portal.
  2. Select the KMTC loan option.
  3. Follow the instructions provided on the portal and confirm that you meet the relevant eligibility requirements.
  4. Carefully review all information entered before submitting the application.
  5. Submit the completed application and wait for confirmation.

After successfully submitting the application, students will receive an application number through SMS or email.


Applicants should retain the confirmation details for future reference.

KMTC Students Gain Access to HELB Financing

The opening of the loan application window follows an earlier government commitment to bring KMTC students into the higher education financing system.


For years, KMTC learners largely relied on a revolving fund arrangement rather than accessing loans through HELB in the same way as university students.


The change is intended to address that disparity and give medical trainees greater access to structured government financing.


The expansion could be particularly significant for students from households that struggle to meet tuition and other education-related expenses.

New System Could Ease Financial Pressure

Medical training can impose significant financial demands on students, particularly those required to meet tuition, accommodation, learning materials, transport and other living expenses.


Greater access to government-backed loans could therefore reduce the immediate financial burden on KMTC students and their families.


The financing programme also brings KMTC learners closer to the broader higher education funding system as the government continues restructuring how tertiary education is financed.


The government has separately proposed changes to higher education financing through the Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill, 2026, which seeks to consolidate several existing funding institutions under a new authority.

Students Urged to Apply Before Deadline

With the application window already open, eligible KMTC students have until September 30 to complete the process.


Students should ensure they use the official Higher Education Financing Portal, provide accurate information and confirm that their applications have been successfully submitted.


Those who wait until the deadline risk encountering technical or administrative challenges when there is limited time to resolve them.


The inclusion of Certificate and Diploma students in the HELB financing programme marks an important expansion of government support for Kenya's medical training sector.


For thousands of KMTC students, the new HELB loan window could ease the cost of medical training, but timely application remains crucial before the September 30 deadline.