HELB Opens Loan Applications for Kenyan Nurses Seeking Advanced Studies

The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has opened loan applications for Kenyan nurses seeking to pursue advanced studies in specialised healthcare fields.

The opportunity is being offered through the J&J Foundation Advanced Nursing Education Fund, a financing program aimed at supporting nurses who wish to advance their academic qualifications and leadership capacity in the healthcare sector.

In a statement, HELB said the fund will provide study loans of up to KSh 500,000 at a 4% annual interest rate to eligible applicants enrolled in approved training institutions across Kenya.

The initiative is supported by the Johnson & Johnson Foundation in partnership with Amref Flying Doctors and the Nurse and Midwife Alliance.

According to HELB, the loans are designed to help nurses upgrade their qualifications, strengthen leadership skills, and enhance professional development within the country’s healthcare system.

“The J&J Foundation Advanced Nursing Education Fund is now open. Nurses can apply for support to advance their education and leadership in healthcare,” read part of the statement.

HELB Highlights Loan Features for the Program

The Advanced Nursing Education Loan offers several benefits, including:

• Quick loan processing
• A competitive 4 percent interest rate per year
• Flexible repayment periods of up to 60 months (five years)
• Convenient monthly employer check-off repayment options
• Loans of up to KSh 500,000

The fund is available to both unemployed (pre-service) and salaried nurses.

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For pre-service students, the loan covers tuition fees for Higher Diploma studies. For salaried students, it can cover tuition fees for Higher Diploma, undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programs.

Requirements for Pre-Service Applicants

Applicants who are not currently employed must provide:

• An admission letter from a recognized university or training institution in Kenya certified by the Nursing Council of Kenya
• A copy of their national ID
• A copy of their KRA PIN
• Copies of national IDs from two guarantors
• A recent colored passport-size photograph

Requirements for Salaried Applicants

Employed applicants must submit:

• An admission letter from a recognised university or training institution in Kenya, certified by the Nursing Council of Kenya.
• A copy of their national ID certified by a Commissioner of Oaths.
• A copy of their KRA PIN certified by a Commissioner of Oaths.
• Copies of national IDs from two guarantors who must be employed and certified by a Commissioner of Oaths.
• A recent colored passport-size photograph.
• Copies of their three most recent payslips, certified by their employer.

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How to Apply

Interested applicants can apply online through the HELB portal. Applicants are required to:

1. Visit the application portal via hef.co.ke and register or log in using a personal mobile number registered under their name and national ID.
2. When creating a profile, select the level of study as Higher National Diploma, Degree, or Master’s, and indicate under education background that they were not admitted through KUCCPS.
3. Click on Loan Application and select Advanced Nursing Education Fund.
4. Fill in and submit the online application form.

HELB noted that the process is fully paperless, and applicants will not be required to submit any physical documents after completing the online application. Applicants will also be able to track the status of their application through the portal.

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A group of KNH nurses. PHOTO/Think Global