Advocates to get HELB loans at Kenya School of Law

Students at the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) offices in Anniversary Towers, Nairobi. [Collins Kweyu, Standard]

Students who are unable to raise fees to complete advocates training at the Kenya School of Law (KSL) will now get loans through the Higher Education Loans Board.

This as it emerged that up to 200 law students at the KSL drop out of training annually for lack of fees.

The school admits about 1,800 students per year to undertake Advocates Training Program (ATP). KSL administers the course through day-time classes, evening and weekend classes.

The ATP total tuition fee for Kenyan students is Sh145,000. This includes the cost for the nine units, library fee, and pupillage supervision fee.

KSL announced it has partnered with HELB to identify and allocate loans to needy students.

Communication from KSL said the school has partnered with HELB to set up a tuition fund to offer loans to students pursuing the ATP.

“Those who will qualify for the KSL tuition loan are students admitted to the ATP at the School. The first beneficiaries of the loan will be new students for the 2021-2022 financial year,” reads the statement.

KSL Chief Executive Dr Henry Mutai said the loan application starts immediately.

“The loan application portal opens from 1st April 2021 and closes on 15th May 2021. Applicants are advised to visit the HELB website, www.helb.co.ke, to make their application,” reads the statement.

Under the partnership, KSL has developed eligibility criteria that shall be used by HELB.

“The loan will be on a needs basis and priority categories include orphans, single parent, and low income,” said Mutai.

KSL shall make available the money to HELB to manage and allocate based on the set criteria.

“HELB has the capacity and experience on how to distribute the loans. They will also award the loans to the successful applicants,” said Mutai.

He said HELB will also help recover the loans from the successful applicants.

HELB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Charles Ringera said they are creating a revolving fund for the school.

“We are a fund manager and we shall administer it on their behalf. Applications are already underway and we shall support their students,” said Ringera.