M-Shwari

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A revolution in banking is in the offing through M-Shwari.
M-Shwari is the revolutionary new banking product for M-PESA customers that allows you to save and borrow money through your phone while earning you interest on money saved. With M-Shwari, you are also entitled to affordable emergency loans.

This is a product for everyone who feels that banking should be hassle-free. No forms to fill in, no branches to visit. Just one click on your phone and you have a savings account!

What is the M-Shwari Service?

This is a paperless banking service offered through M-PESA that will;
• Enable you open and operate an M-Shwari bank account through your mobile phone, through M-PESA, without having to visit any bank to fill out bank account opening forms.
• It provides you the ability to move money in and out of your M-Shwari savings account to your M-PESA account at no charge.
• It gives you an opportunity to save as little as Ksh.1 and earn interest on your saving balance. This cash is moved into the savings account using your handset via the M-PESA Menu.
• Enable you access micro credit product (loan) of a minimum of Ksh.100 anytime and receive your loan instantly on your M-PESA account.

What are the requirements to have an M-Shwari Account?

To get an M-Shwari account, you need to be:
• A registered Safaricom Subscriber.
• A registered Safaricom M-PESA customer.
• Have an active Safaricom M-PESA account/line.
• You need to hold any of the following identification documents; Kenya National Identification Document (ID); Kenyan Passport Document ; Alien ID (resident Permit) registered by the Government of Kenya.

How do you as an Existing M-PESA Customer opt in/activate your line into the service?

To update your Menu
• Go to the Safaricom menu on the phone.
• Select "M-PESA".
• Go to "My account".
• Select "Update Menu"
• Enter M-PESA PIN
(Wait to receive the updated M-PESA menu)

To Opt - in to M-Shwari
• Go to M-PESA Menu.
• Select M-Shwari.
• A message will appear requesting you to read and accept the Terms & Conditions.
• (English: Visit www.cbagroup.com/m-shwari www.safaricom.co.ke and Swahili: Tembelea www.cbagroup.com/m-shwari www.safaricom.co.ke).
• After accepting the terms; an SMS will be sent informing you that you are now activated on the M-Shwari service.

Source: http://www.safaricom.co.ke/personal/m-pesa/m-shwari 

HELB FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

General Questions
- Q: Who is eligible for HELB loans?
- A: Undergraduate Students,Postgraduate Students
- Q: No Query Response
- A:
1. Access the HELB website http://www.helb.co.ke/helb_repayment_status.htmland enter your ID number
2. Send an email to requesting for your statement to repayments@helb.co.ke.
3. Send an SMS to XXXXXX

- Q: How can I repay my loan?
- A:
1. By depositing cash or cheque into the HELB collection accounts
2. By direct debit
3. By credit card
4. By a standing order through your credit card

Note: Details on how to execute the above can be obtained from the loan repayment information section of the HELB we
- Q: How do I receive my completion certificate?
- A:
1. Send an email to requesting for your statement to certificates@helb.co.ke
2. Call Imelda Maroko on 020 246890-1
- Q: How do I forward a query to HELB
- A:
1. Download the enquiry form from the HELB website:- http://www.helb.co.ke/HELBENQUIRYFORM.pdf, fill it out and email it to enquiries@helb.co.ke.

2. Access the HELB websitehttp://www.helb.co.ke/helb_repayment_status.html and enter your ID number to obtain the name of your account manager and call him/her on 246590-1

 Undergraduate Students:

The Board’s objective is to give financial support to needy Kenyan students in institutions of higher learning both locally and abroad. However, due to financial constraints, it is currently not in a position to provide loans to students studying outside the country and those on self sponsored programmes (commonly known as the ‘parallel programmes’). Therefore, at the moment, it gives loans to the following category of students

Needy Kenyan students who are admitted to public universities through the Joint Admissions Board and to those attending private chartered universities.

- Q: How much loan can one get?

- A: In accordance with the current cost sharing policy, a student is required to pay Kshs.50,000/- per year to train at a public university. Out of this amount, HELB can award a maximum loan and bursary of Kshs.55,000/- and Kshs.8,000 respectively.

- Q: How much loan can one get?

- A:
1. Access the HELB website http://www.helb.co.ke/helb_repayment_status.htmland enter your ID number
2. Send an email to requesting for your statement to repayments@helb.co.ke.
3. Send an SMS to XXXXXX

- Q: When can one apply for a HELB loan?

- A:
HELB places advertisements in the print media in which it invites applications for loans. Applications are usually received in the last quarter of the year (i.e. between October and December).

The Board maintains a deadline and those applications received after the deadline without justifiable reasons are not processed.

- Q: When are loan awards released?

- A:
HELB releases loan results before the new academic year starts. Thereafter, students who fail to secure a loan or are awarded inadequate amounts are encouraged to appeal. Each appeal is reviewed on its own merit.
If one fails to get a loan, the following could be possible reasons:

The student may not have provided adequate information about himself /herself as requested.

The student may have provided false information on the loan application form.

Please be warned that students who obtain loans through misrepresentation of facts will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

How to apply for a loan from HELB?

1- Loan application forms are also obtainable from the District Education Officers for students applying for loans for the first time while continuing students may obtain the forms from the  offices of Registrars or Deans of Students in the various universities

2- The forms must be filled with accurate and truthful information.

3- Duly filled forms should be either hand-deliverd or sent by registered mail to:

HIGHER EDUCATION LOANS BOARD
Anniversary Towers, 18th Floor,
University Way, P.O. Box 69489 00400
Tel: 251877/246590/1, Fax: 252330
Nairobi, Kenya.
Email: helb@helb.co.ke

When are the loans paid to students?

Students who qualify for loan awards will have their accounts credited before the beginning of each Semester. Students are advised to open accounts in the following collaborating banks:

Kenya Commercial Bank   

National Bank of Kenya

Kenya Post Office Savings Bank (Postbank)

Cooperative Bank of Kenya

Equity Bank

 Post Graduate Student Loans:

The Higher Education Loans Board has the responsibility of developing the nation's human capital and ensuring that the nation has a large pool of highly trained and skilled human resource to man the different sectors of the economy, hence this category of loans is based on academic merit rather than financial needs.

To achieve this goal the Board awards loans to about 200 postgraduate students every year i.e. for Masters and Doctoral Studies. Doctoral students are awarded on average Kshs. 150,000 per year while Masters students receive Kshs.80,000/= [for humanities] and Kshs. 100,000 [for science based subjects].The loans are available to students in both public and private chartered universities. The loans are advertised in June every year and the beneficiaries are announced before the beginning of the academic year in September.
A nominal fee of Kshs 2,000 is payable by each applicant.

UNIVERSITY STUDENT LOANS, BURSARIES AND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2011/2012

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The Higher Education Loans Board has finalized the disbursement of loans,bursaries and scholarships to university students for the 2011/2012 financial year, and is pleased to publish an analysis of the same for public information.

During the fiscal year 2011/2012, the Board disbursed a total of Kshs.4,810,876,250 to 106,136 Kenyan students pursuing undergraduate and post graduate university education in Kenya and the East African Community countries.


The provision of financial support to Kenyans pursuing higher education is an umbrella responsibility embracing our flagship projects during the 2011/2012 financial year.

Find a complete List of the disbursement Here >>

Welcome to HELB

A welcome article on their website states that the Higher Education Loans Board was established by an Act of Parliament. The statute known as The Higher Education Loans Board Act, 1995 was legally established as Act number 3 of 1995. It came into existence on the 21st day of July 1995 through Kenya Gazette Supplement (Cap 213A).

Since the inception of the Higher Education Loans Board,emphasis has been placed on effective communication and information technology as the pillar underpinning our success.
The HELB board believes in the value of communication.It has transformed the Board from an organization whose operations were largely manual to one that applies modern technology to enhance service delivery. 

The history of the Higher Education Loans Board dates back to 1952 when the then colonial government awarded loans under the then Higher Education Loans Fund [HELF] to Kenyans pursuing university education in universities outside East Africa notably Britain, the USA, the former USSR, India and South Africa.  Students who were pursuing university education in universities outside East Africa and were not on scholarships were advanced loans by the then government against securities such as Land Title Deeds, Insurance policies and Written Guarantees.However by 1974, provision of education in general had expanded dramatically as a result of the heavily subsidized primary and secondary education and the general yearning for education by most Kenyan families. Consequently, the number of students seeking university education had grown to an extent that it was becoming increasingly difficult to adequately finance university education by providing full scholarships and grants by the Government.

The Government therefore introduced the University Students Loans Scheme (USLS), which was managed by the Ministry of Education. Under the scheme, Kenyan students pursuing higher education at Makerere, Nairobi and Dar es Salaam universities received loans to cover their tuition and personal needs, which they would repay on completion of their education. However, the University Students Loans Scheme (USLS) was plagued with a number of problems right on the onset. It lacked the legal basis to recover matured loans from loanees. In addition, the general public and university students wrongly perceived that the loan was a grant from the government, which was not to be repaid. In order to address this problem, in July 1995 the Government through an act of Parliament established the Higher Education Loans Board to administer the Student Loans Scheme. In addition, the Board is also empowered to recover all outstanding loans given to former university students by the Government of Kenya since 1952 through HELF and to establish a Revolving Fund from which funds can be drawn to lend out to needy Kenyan students pursuing higher education. The establishment of a revolving fund was also expected to ease pressure on the exchequer in financing education, which currently stands at 40% of the annual national budget.

UNDERSTANDING NATIONHELA MONEY TRANSFER

It is said that this simpler and more convenient international money transfer service, NationHela allows one to receive money from anywhere in the world straight into their prepaid NationHela Visa card. The prepaid Visa card is not the same as any other debit or credit card as it is not linked to one’s bank account.

Let us now understand this prepaid Visa card, one must first own a NationHela card pack which can be purchased from any Diamond Trust Bank branch, NationHela agents and all Nakumatt supermarkets countrywide. The card pack contains a NationHela prepaid Visa card, ATM pin including information on how to use the card.

Once the purchase is done, activation serves as the next step and is done by dialing *348# from one’s mobile phone. The user will then be required to send an SMS with the last eight digits of their card pack Identification number and the last four digits of their digit card number. The mobile phone number used to activate the card serves as your default NationHela account number. Moreover when you are prompted to set your mobile pin, use the ATM pin provided in the pack. Activation of the card allows the user to receive or load money once. 
After activation, registration is the next step as it ensures that one enjoys the full benefits of the account in addition to receiving money or topping up the account. This one-time registration process requires the user to fill out the form provided in the NationHela card pack then submitting it to the nearest DTB branch or NationHela distributor outlet along with a copy of their National Identification card. Once the registration process is complete, the user can make full use of their card within 72 hours.

Sending Money from Abroad to Kenya
There are two options for sending money to Kenya if one is based abroad:
Option 1- NationHela online transfer
This hailed as the simplest and most convenient method, this option allows one to send money directly into a NationHela account from their debit, credit card of paypal account by:

1. Logging on to www.nationhela.com and clicking on the remit funds here tab.
2. Select country of residence, currency and input the amount you would like to send. Submit your details once this is done.
3. Confirm the amount you would like to send and be informed of the transaction fee. The amount that will be received by the beneficiary in Kenya shillings will also be confirmed. In this step, you will also need to confirm the recipients mobile number as well as their full names. When verified click on the  “Send now” button.
4. Input your personal information, and select your preferred mode of transfer ( Debit Card, Credit Card or PayPal) and submit.

The sender will receive a payment confirmation upon the successful completion of their transfer.
Option 2 – Over-the-counter money transfer
This option allows one to send money over-the-counter at any Xpress Money or MoneyGram money transfer outlet. The recipient in Kenya can then simply choose to receive the money directly into their NationHela account by using the NationHela menu on their mobile phone.

Mode of Operation

1. The NationHela recipient will dial *348# and request funds to be transferred to their NationHela account.
2. The recipient will then provide the Reference Number (for  Xpress Money, provide your Xpin and for a MoneyGram transfer and provide a reference number).
3. The name of the recipient must match the name they have used to register their NationHela card.
4. Upon confirmation, funds will be deposited into the recipient’s NationHela account and an SMS confirmation will be sent.

Topping Up the NationHela Account
There are two main methods that enable a user to top up their account such as:
1. Mobile money account top-up
This method involves topping up the account through M-PESA and operates by:

1. Logging onto the Pay Bill menu on the M-PESA account and enter the NationHela PayBill number 516602.
2. Enter the NationHela mobile number to which the money should be sent and the amount to be sent.
3. Both sender and receiver will get an SMS confirmation that funds have been sent and received.

2. Agent Top up
You can also go to a NationHela Agent to top up your NationHela account and operates by:

• Giving the Agent the amount you want to top up, your mobile number and National ID card. 
• The Agent will then proceed to deposit the money into the NationHela account.
• Both you and the Agent will receive an SMS confirmation that funds have been sent and received.

Accessing Your NationHela Funds
Withdrawing Cash
For money sent to your NationHela card, there are various methods of withdrawing it such as:
NationHela Agent
This option involves the use of a NationHela agent and operates by:

1. Dial *348# to provide the Agent code and amount to withdraw at the Agent outlet.
2. Both you and Agent will receive SMS confirmations with unique reference numbers.
3. Agent will pay you and ask you to sign the Transaction Register.

ATM
You can withdraw funds using your NationHela card from any Visa branded ATMs (including PesaPoint) anywhere in the world and operates by:

1. Go to any Visa branded ATM and insert your NationHela card.
2. Enter your ATM PIN and amount to withdraw.
3. ATM will dispense your cash and give you a receipt.

Making Payments

Visa Merchant Outlets
In the case of paying for items at your local supermarket, simply present your card at the cashier’s till. The cashier will then proceed to swipe the card and present you with a sales slip to sign to complete the transaction. As a security measure one may be required to reveal their ATM pin at a point of sale to validate their transaction.
Utility bills (water and electricity)
You can pay for your electricity and water bills (Nairobi Water Company) using your NationHela account through your mobile phone and operates by:

1. Dialing *348#, selecting Bill payment and the company you would like to pay.
2. Provide your customer account number with the company you are paying and the amount to be sent.
3. You will then receive an SMS confirmation with a payment reference number confirming that  your funds have been sent.

Shop and Pay Online
To purchase goods and services online, you will need to activate your card using the customer care portal acquired by visiting www.nationhela.com and clicking on the “Access my account” tab.
How it works:

1. Log onto the website you want to shop from.
2. Provide card details on the website.
3. Print or keep details of your transactions and website visited.

As a security measure, ensure that the website in which you carry out your transaction is secure.

Transferring Money Within Kenya
NationHela to NationHela
You can transfer money to another NationHela account within Kenya using your mobile phone or the internet.
(i)  Mobile Phone Transfer
This transaction operates by:

1. Dialing *348# to access the mobile banking menu.
2. Select the SEND MONEY option and enter the recipient’s NationHela mobile number and the amount to be transferred.
3. Both cardholders will receive SMS confirmations that funds have been sent and received.

(ii) Online Transfer
This option allows you to transfer money from their NationHela card to another online and operates by :

1. Logging onto www.nationhela.com, clicking on the “Access my Account” tab on the home page and entering your user login and password to access the customer self-care portal. Use the online password sent to you when you successfully activate your NationHela card to log in to the self-care portal.
2. Select the wallet to wallet transfer option and enter the recipient’s NationHela Account (Mobile)number and amount to be transferred
3. Both cardholders will receive SMS confirmations that the transfer is successful.

(iii) NationHela to your M-PESA account
This option allows you to transfer money from your NationHela account straight to your M-PESA account.
How it Works

1. Dial *348# to access your mobile banking menu.
2. Select the SEND MONEY option and choose Transfer to Mobile Money Account (e.g. M-PESA).
3. Enter the amount to be transferred.
4. You will receive confirmation that the funds have been sent to the M-PESA account.

Managing Your Account
In order to personally manage your account from wherever you are, simply log on to the customer self-care portal via the internet on www.nationhela.com or access the same information via mobile by dialing *348# from your mobile phone.
The customer self-care portal allows you to perform the following services:

1. Activate your card for use in online transactions- you will need to activate your card on the customer self-care portal to enable online payments for goods and services
2. View current and previous statements
3. View account balance
4. Block or unblock your account
5. Change your online login password via the internet
6. Change your mobile PIN via your mobile
7. Perform card to card transfers

This information was obtained from http://www.nationmedia.com/newsletter/archive/July2012/newsletter_hela.html

HOW TO TRANSFER MONEY FROM CO-OPERATIVE BANK TO M-PESA:

Many banks in Kenya today that offer M Banking services. For example the Cooperative Bank’s M-Banking and besides the convenience it was pretty simple to use.
If your job or businesses demand frequent travel to the  interior of our country or better still if you plan to travel up country this festive season, you might consider registering for this service
Its free to register for the service in any Cooperative Bank branch, after which you can;

• Deposit money into your bank account from your M-PESA
• Withdraw money from your bank account to your M-PESA account

HOW TO TRANSFER MONEY FROM M-PESA TO  CO-OPERATIVE BANK

To deposit money to your bank account,Ensure you have enough cash in your M-PESA account to cover the deposit and transaction charges. It is important to note that while us Mpesa will deduct its charges from your Mpesa Account, Co-operative Bank deducts their charges in your bank account. Meaning after the transfer, your new Bank account balance will be less the transaction fees. The transaction charges are:

Range	M-Pesa Charges (Charged in your M-pesa Account)	Coop Bank Charges (Charged in your Bank Account)	Total
Ksh.100 – Ksh. 2,499	Ksh. 30	Ksh. 30	Ksh. 60
Ksh. 2,500 – Ksh. 4,999	Ksh. 50	Ksh. 50	Ksh. 100
Ksh. 5,000 – Ksh. 9,999	Ksh. 75	Ksh. 75	Ksh. 150
Ksh. 10,000 – Ksh. 19,999	Ksh. 100	Ksh. 100	Ksh. 200
Ksh. 20,000 – Ksh. 35,000	Ksh. 150	Ksh. 150	Ksh. 300

1. Go to the Mpesa menu on your phone and select Pay Bill option.
2. Enter business no. 400200
3. Enter your Cooperative Bank Account no.
4. Enter the amount to transfer (maximum amount per transaction 1s Ksh. 35,000, and Ksh.70,000 maximum within 24 hours)
5. Enter your M-PESA PIN number
6. Confirm your details and press OK/Send

Next, you will receive and SMS from M-PESA showing the amount has been transfered from your account, it reads: ” BBBBBB confirm sent to Co-operative Bank Money Transfer for account on 05/12/10 at 11:30 am.New M-PESA balance is “
Shortly after (approximately 5 minutes), you will receive an SMS from Cooperative Bank confirming that the money will indeed be transfered to your account: “M-Pesa Paybill Amount = will be transferred to bank A/c , , shortly. Co-operative Bank K Ltd.”
In one hours time, the money will be available in your account for any other transaction e.g online transaction using your ATM card.

HOW TO TRANSFER MONEY FROM CO-OPERATIVE BANK TO M-PESA:

To access money in your bank account for different services, You need to have registered for M banking at any Cooperative Bank Branch.
Then on your phone press *667#. A menu will appear on your phone from which you select what M banking service you need as follows :
5. Mpesa
4. Airtime (Pre-paid only)
3. Utilities
2. Alerts
1. Banking
0. Call center Number
Press the number against the service you need. In our case you press 5 and follow the intuitive wizard. However, you need to be fast in keying in information in each step, if you delay for more than say 60 seconds in a single step, the system does not complete your request and you have to start afresh.
As at the date of this post, Cooperative bank charges a flat fee  Ksh. 60 to transfer money to your MPesa account regardless of the amount. You are however limited to transfering a total of Ksh. 75,000 within 24 hours. Once the money is in your Mpesa account, normal Mpesa charges will apply for any further transactions e.g withdrawing the money from an Mpesa agent.