How to Apply for a Bursary or Scholarship Fund in Kenya

Education funding remains one of the biggest challenges for Kenyan students and families. The government, county governments and various organisations offer bursaries and scholarships to bridge this gap, but many eligible students miss out simply because they do not know how to apply or where to find opportunities. This guide covers every major bursary and scholarship programme available in Kenya—from NG-CDF bursaries and HELB loans to county government funds and private scholarships—with step-by-step application instructions for each.

Understanding Bursaries vs Scholarships

A bursary is financial assistance awarded primarily based on financial need. The student or family demonstrates inability to pay school or college fees, and the bursary covers part or all of the costs. Bursaries do not need to be repaid. A scholarship is typically awarded based on academic merit, talent or specific criteria such as community service, leadership or belonging to a particular demographic group. Some scholarships also consider financial need alongside merit.

In Kenya, the largest sources of education funding include the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), the Higher Education Fund (HEF) through HELB, county government bursary programmes, and private sector scholarships from organisations like Equity Bank, KCB Foundation, Mastercard Foundation and various international bodies.

NG-CDF Bursary Application

The National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) allocates bursary funds to each of Kenya's 290 constituencies. This is the most widely accessible bursary programme, available to students at all levels—primary, secondary, TVET colleges and universities. Each constituency receives a bursary allocation based on its poverty index and student population.

How to apply: Download the NG-CDF Bursary Application Form from the NG-CDF website or collect a physical form from your constituency's NG-CDF office. The 2025/2026 financial year application forms are available for download. Fill in all required sections including personal details, school or institution information, family background and financial status. Attach supporting documents including a copy of your national ID or birth certificate, school admission letter or fee structure, parents' or guardians' ID copies, and a letter from the chief or assistant chief confirming your financial status.

Submit the completed form to your constituency's NG-CDF office before the stated deadline. Most constituencies accept applications between January and March each year, though timelines vary. Bursary amounts typically range from KES 5,000 to KES 50,000 depending on the level of study, financial need and available funds in your constituency. Successful applicants are notified and funds are disbursed directly to the educational institution.

HELB Loans and Scholarships

The Higher Education Fund (HEF), administered through HELB, provides loans, bursaries and scholarships to students pursuing higher education in public and private universities, national polytechnics and TVET institutions. The 2025/2026 applications for undergraduate and TVET loans are open with a deadline of 31 August 2025.

How to apply: Visit the HELB portal and create an account or log into your existing account. Select the appropriate funding option—undergraduate loan, TVET loan, postgraduate scholarship or bursary. Fill in all required personal, academic and financial details. Upload supporting documents including your national ID, university or college admission letter, fee structure, parents' or guardians' details and proof of financial need.

HELB funding categories include: Government-sponsored students who receive loans of KES 38,000–60,000 per year depending on the means testing score; self-sponsored students eligible for loans up to KES 60,000; and TVET students in national polytechnics and technical colleges. HELB also administers special scholarships for students with disabilities, orphans and students from marginalised communities. Note that HELB loans must be repaid after completing studies, typically with a one-year grace period and a four percent annual interest rate.

County Government Bursaries

All 47 county governments in Kenya allocate bursary funds through their education departments. County bursaries are available to residents of the respective county and typically target secondary school, TVET and university students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. Application processes vary by county but generally follow a similar pattern.

How to apply: Visit your county government's education department office or check the county website for bursary announcements. Collect or download the application form. Required documents typically include a copy of your national ID or birth certificate, school admission letter and fee balance statement, parents' or guardians' ID copies, a letter from the area chief confirming financial need, and recent academic transcripts or report cards. Submit completed forms to the county education office or designated ward offices.

County bursary amounts range from KES 5,000 to KES 30,000 depending on the county's allocation, the level of study and the number of applicants. Some counties like Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru and Mombasa have larger bursary budgets and may offer higher amounts. Application windows typically open in January–February and July–August each year, coinciding with school term openings.

Government Scholarships for University Students

The government of Kenya offers several scholarship programmes for outstanding students. The Presidential Scholarship covers full tuition, accommodation and living expenses for top KCSE performers admitted to local public universities. The Ministry of Education Scholarship Programme supports students in specialised fields aligned with national development priorities including medicine, engineering, agriculture and technology.

International government scholarships available to Kenyan students include the Kenya-China Scholarship (administered through the Ministry of Education for postgraduate studies in China), Commonwealth Scholarships for master's and doctoral studies in UK universities, DAAD Scholarships from the German Academic Exchange Service, and Fulbright Scholarships for graduate studies in the United States. Applications for these programmes are typically advertised through the Ministry of Education and respective embassy websites.

Private Sector Scholarships

Equity Bank Wings to Fly Programme: One of Kenya's largest private scholarship programmes, funded by the Equity Group Foundation and Mastercard Foundation. It covers secondary school fees, uniform, books and a stipend for top-performing students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. Applications open annually through Equity Bank branches and the foundation's website.

KCB Foundation Scholarship: Supports bright students from low-income families with secondary and university education funding. Safaricom Foundation: Offers education sponsorship through community partnerships. Jomo Kenyatta Foundation: Provides bursaries for secondary school students. Rattansi Educational Trust: Awards scholarships to needy students for secondary and tertiary education.

International organisations such as the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme (partnering with universities like USIU-Africa and the University of Nairobi), Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships, and Ford Foundation International Fellowships offer fully funded education opportunities for academically talented students demonstrating leadership potential and community commitment.

Tips for a Successful Bursary Application

Apply early and to multiple sources. Do not rely on a single bursary application. Apply simultaneously to NG-CDF, county government, HELB and any private scholarships you qualify for. Each source may cover a different portion of your fees, and combining multiple bursaries is both allowed and common.

Gather documents in advance. Most applications require similar documents—ID copies, admission letters, fee structures, chief's letter and academic records. Prepare certified copies of all these documents before application windows open so you can submit promptly.

Be honest and thorough. Provide accurate information about your financial situation. Fabricating information can lead to disqualification and blacklisting from future bursary programmes. Include details about family income, number of dependants, any special circumstances (orphan status, disability, single-parent household) and existing education funding you receive.

Follow up on your application. After submitting, keep your reference number and follow up with the bursary office. Polite persistence ensures your application is not overlooked. If unsuccessful, ask for feedback and reapply in the next cycle—many bursary programmes award funds annually.

Useful Resources and Contacts

The Huduma Kenya bursaries portal provides centralised information on available government bursaries. The NG-CDF website lists all constituency offices and their contact details. HELB's customer service line and social media channels provide application support. Your local Member of Parliament's office and ward administrator's office can guide you on constituency-specific bursary timelines and requirements.

Conclusion

Kenya offers numerous bursary and scholarship opportunities through government, county and private sector programmes. The key is knowing where to look, applying early to multiple sources and submitting complete, honest applications with all required documentation. Whether you are a secondary school student, university undergraduate or postgraduate researcher, there are funding options available to help you pursue your education goals without financial barriers holding you back.