Thousands of university and TVET students across the country are eagerly awaiting the release of HELB Semester Two funds for the 2025/2026 academic year, following disruptions earlier caused by prolonged lecturers’ strikes and delayed academic calendars.
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| HELB disbursement schedules 2025/2026 |
The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has now provided clearer indicators on where the disbursement process stands, what has caused the delays, and when students can realistically expect payments. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the current situation.
Semester Two Disbursement Was Initially Planned Before January
For the 2025/2026 academic year, HELB had initially targeted this same window. However, multiple institutional disruptions prevented the process from moving forward as planned, forcing adjustments to the original schedule.
Lecturers’ Prolonged Strike Disrupted HELB Timelines
A major contributor to the delay has been the earlier extended lecturers’ strike in public universities. The industrial action led to postponed reopening dates for semester two for some institutions, uncertainty in academic calendars, and delayed student registration across several institutions for the new semester.
Because HELB disbursement depends on confirmation that students are actively on session, the lack of clarity during the strike period made it impossible for HELB to release Semester Two funds within the expected time frame.
HELB Depends on University Opening Dates to Release Funds
HELB does not disburse funds automatically. The board relies on official data from institutions, including:
Confirmed reopening dates, Registered student lists and Active semester declarations
Until universities formally confirm that Semester Two is underway, HELB systems cannot activate allocations. This dependency explains why even approved loans may take longer to reflect in student accounts.
Semester One Pending Payments Being Cleared in December
While Semester Two disbursement will be delayed, HELB has been actively clearing pending Semester One payments throughout December. These payments include: Late approvals for students who applied late and Failed or reversed transactions
This cleanup process is necessary to ensure a smooth transition into Semester Two and to prevent overlapping disbursement issues.
Batch Allocation for Semester Two Is Ongoing
Some good news, HELB has already initiated batch number allocation for the new semester. They include, BATCH 6601, 6602 and others that will be confirmed in due course. Batch numbers determine the order in which students receive funds once disbursement begins.
This internal processing signals that HELB is technically ready to release payments once all external requirements particularly institutional confirmation are met.
Students are advised to verify their personal details, bank accounts, and M-Pesa numbers on the HELB portal to avoid delays.
Payments Expected to Begin in Late January 2026
According to current indicators, HELB Semester Two 2025/2026 disbursements are expected to officially start in late January.
This will happen after institutions submit confirmation that: Students have resumed learning, The semester is active and Registration has been completed
Disbursements will be done in phases, meaning not all students will receive funds at the same time.
Treasury Funding Still Key to Disbursement Speed
Even after institutional confirmation, HELB must receive funds from the National Treasury to complete disbursements. Once Treasury releases the funds, HELB typically fast-tracks payments to students. Any delay at this level may slightly affect timelines, although preparations on HELB’s side are already underway.
As the disbursement window approaches, students are encouraged to, Regularly check the HELB portal, Follow official HELB announcements, Confirm reopening dates with their institutions and Ensure loan compliance and accurate payment details also to Avoid misinformation circulating on social media and rely on official updates.
Conclusion
The HELB Semester Two 2025/2026 disbursement process has faced unavoidable delays, but key preparations are now in place. With pending Semester One payments being cleared, batch allocations underway, and institutions gradually confirming reopening dates, students can expect payments to start towards the end of January.
As always, patience and vigilance remain crucial. HELB has assured students that once all confirmations and funding are in place, disbursements will proceed without further delay.
FAQ'S
When will HELB Semester Two 2025/2026 funds be released?
Disbursement is expected to begin in January 2026, after institutions confirm that students are on session.
Why was the Semester Two disbursement delayed?
The delay was mainly caused by a prolonged lecturers’ strike, delayed reopening dates, and the need for institutional confirmation.
is HELB still paying Semester One loans?
Yes. HELB is currently clearing pending Semester One payments before fully transitioning to Semester Two.
Does HELB depend on Treasury funding?
Yes. HELB must receive funds from the National Treasury before disbursing to students
Will all students be paid at the same time?
No. Disbursement is done in phases, depending on batch allocation and fund availability.
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