Kenya’s Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has opened a new loan window for civil servants looking to advance their education. The effort, launched on August 13, offers access to up to KSh 500,000 per year, with no processing fees and a long-term repayment plan.

The Training Revolving Fund (TRF) is available to government employees, including those in national and county governments, the Teachers Service Commission and the National Police Service. It can be used for courses ranging from certificates to PhDs.

The loan carries an attractive annual interest rate of 4 percent, calculated on a reducing balance, and offers repayment terms stretching up to 72 months. Workers repay the funds via payroll deductions.

How to Qualify

Applicants must secure an admission letter from a recognised institution. They must also provide:

• A recommendation letter from their employer

• Three months of recent payslips showing net pay exceeding one third of basic salary

• Certified copies of their National ID and KRA PIN

• Two guarantors — both civil servants — with certified IDs

• A recent coloured passport-size photo

The Online Application

To apply, civil servants create an account on the HELB portal using their National ID and email. Once verified, they complete their profile and upload all required documents. They then select the “Civil Servants Training Revolving Fund” option under the loans section, accept the terms, and submit their application.

A printed version of the completed form, endorsed by the employer and accompanied by all supporting documents, must be scanned and emailed to HELB.

Why It Matters

For civil servants hoping to further their studies without bearing heavy financial costs, this is a significant opportunity. The terms—especially the low interest and employer-facilitated repayment—make it accessible for many.

As HELB calls on public employees to apply, the fund stands poised to turn ambition into achievement—one loan, one course, one goal at a time.