By: Constantine Okonyene
According to the statistics, most of the students in university and colleges, especially those from poor backgrounds, depend on HELB loan to pay for their tuition and upkeep. The main concern is what if HELB loan was not there? Students should know that, Helb loan is just like other loans which should be paid back after studies.
Currently, beneficiaries start repayment one year after completing studies or risk blacklisting with credit reference bureaus for defaulting. In my view, students should institute use of other alternative sources of finances to cater for their tuition, accommodation, and upkeep rather than depending on Helb loan fully.
They should look for at least comfortable part-time jobs, here, they will have to look on choosing those jobs that will not interfere with normal learning such as quick online jobs that they can do from their place of residence. Nevertheless, parents will also have to look for other sources of money like engaging in Agricultural, business and other possible activities, at least to make their students manoeuvre in their studies well.
These will reduce dropping out of colleges as a result of lacking fees. That is some of crucial ways how students can survive without Helb loan. Students should not always depend on Helb loan
Suleiman Mbatiah 
James Wakahiu