Chapter Six clearance certificates
How to Get a HELB Clearance or Compliance Certificate
Which HELB certificate you need (compliance, clearance or non-loanee), how to apply online, and what to do if you are behind on your HELB loan. Needed for most government jobs.
- Time needed
- Same day to a few days
- Cost
- Usually free
- Valid for
- Check the date on the certificate; employers want a recent one
- Where
- HELB website or a HELB office
What you need
- Your National ID number
- Access to the HELB portal (or your eCitizen login)
- If you are a loanee: an up-to-date loan account
The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) lends money to Kenyan students in universities and colleges. Under Chapter Six of the Constitution, public bodies check that candidates are not defaulting on public debts, so most government jobs ask for a HELB certificate, even if you never took a loan.
Which HELB certificate do you need?
- Non-loanee Compliance Certificate: you never took a HELB loan.
- Compliance Certificate: you took a loan, are repaying it, and your repayments are up to date.
- Clearance Certificate: you have fully repaid your loan.
All three satisfy the "HELB clearance" requirement in job adverts, as long as the one you submit matches your situation.
Step by step: non-loanees
- Go to the HELB website and open the Compliance Certificate service (or use the HELB service on eCitizen).
- Enter your National ID number and the other details requested.
- HELB confirms that you have no loan record and issues the certificate, which you can download and print.
Step by step: loanees
- Log in to the HELB portal and check your loan statement.
- If your account is up to date, request a compliance certificate (still repaying) or clearance certificate (fully repaid).
- Download the certificate, or collect it from a HELB office if you are asked to.
If you are behind on your HELB loan
HELB will not issue a compliance certificate while your account is in default. To fix it:
- Check your statement on the HELB portal to see the arrears and any penalties.
- Contact HELB about repayment options. HELB has in the past offered ways to regularise a defaulted account, such as paying the arrears or agreeing a repayment plan, after which a certificate can be issued.
- If you are employed, check that your employer is actually remitting the deductions shown on your payslip.
Start this early: sorting out arrears can take longer than a job's application window.
Beware of fake HELB certificates
HELB has warned the public about social media accounts selling fake clearance certificates. Employers verify certificates with HELB, and a fake one will cost you the job and can lead to prosecution. Only get your certificate from HELB itself.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a HELB certificate if I never took a HELB loan?
Yes, for most government jobs. Non-loanees get a non-loanee compliance certificate from HELB, which confirms you have no HELB loan.
How much does a HELB compliance certificate cost?
HELB certificates are usually free for non-loanees and for loanees whose accounts are up to date. If you are in default, you will need to deal with the arrears first. Check the HELB website for current terms.
What is the difference between a HELB compliance and clearance certificate?
A compliance certificate shows that a loanee is up to date with repayments, or that a non-loanee has no loan. A clearance certificate is issued once a loan is fully repaid.
Can I get a HELB certificate if I am defaulting?
Not until you regularise your account, for example by paying the arrears or agreeing a repayment plan with HELB.
Go to Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
Processes and fees change from time to time. Always follow the instructions on the official website, and never pay anyone who offers to "speed up" a clearance for you.