HELB Clarify On Hacking Reports.

Introduction.

HELB Clarify On Hacking Reports.The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has addressed claims of a breach in students’ funds following reports of hackers infiltrating approximately 5,000 HELB batches. Dismissing these reports as fake news, HELB reassured students that their funds remained secure, urging them not to hastily visit Huduma Centers. The board emphasized the importance of verifying information before sharing.

In the fabricated alert, students were instructed to visit Huduma Centres with their ID cards, alleging that hackers had gained portal access but were unable to transfer funds. HELB’s swift response aimed to quash concerns and prevent unnecessary panic among students.

1. Fake Report Amidst Ksh 10 Billion Allocation

This false information surfaces as HELB receives Ksh 10.39 billion of the Ksh 14.4 billion government allocation for scholarships and loans, the second tranche under the New Higher Education Funding Model. Education CS Ezekiel Machogu clarified that another Ksh 3.98 billion was disbursed for scholarships through the Universities Fund (UF).

https://educationlearnhub.co.ke/2024/01/23/stop-attacking-t…warns-the-public/

Explaining the disbursement criteria, Machogu highlighted that the Ksh 14.4 billion would be allocated based on individual needs under the New Funding Model. The loans would cover the second semester of the 2023/2024 Academic year for continuing students, bringing the total government release for First-Year students to Ksh 23.6 billion since September 2023.

https://educationlearnhub.co.ke/2024/01/23/teachers-to-rece…january-says-tsc/

2. CS’s Directives on Disbursement

Machogu directed HELB to disburse tuition loans directly to universities or colleges.  He also said that upkeep loans should be disbursed to students in their respective bank accounts or mobile numbers. He confirmed that universities would receive scholarship portions for their students by January 19th, 2024.

https://educationlearnhub.co.ke/2024/01/23/dont-try-to-hike-school-fees-president-ruto-warns-principals/

3. Recap of First Disbursement

In October of the previous year, the government disbursed Ksh 5.3 billion for student loans . In addition the government gave out Ksh 3.9 billion for scholarships for first-year students under the New Funding Model. HELB had also received Ksh 10.3 billion in September 2023 to cover continuing students’ loans in universities and TVET colleges. First-year loans and scholarships were allocated to successful applicants through the Higher Education Financing portal (www.hef.co.ke). With the Universities Fund directly disbursing funds to cover tuition fees.

https://educationlearnhub.co.ke/2024/01/23/knec-releases-a-…-missing-results/

HELB Clarify On Hacking Reports.