On Monday, the results for the 2018 KCPE examinations were announced igniting the annual celebrations associated with acknowledging the stellar performances of ambitious students across the country.
In her address, Education CS Amina Mohamed disclosed that there were 12,273 candidates with more than 400 marks in this year's exams - a 1.17 percent increase from the 9,846 in 2017.
She also observed that more than half of the 2018 KCPE candidates scored more than 250 marks affirming that all the students who sat for the exams were assured slots to join form one in the selection process that would commence on December 3.
After the celebrations and as the Form One selection date draws closer, the next step for a parent or a guardian is to plan for the finances to enable their children transition to high school with the best chances possible.
Here are some scholarships that one can apply for with their requirements:
1. Equity's Wings to Fly Scholarship Program
The Wings to Fly program by Equity Bank targets high achieving yet needy (orphan or vulnerable) students identified by assessing their performance in KCPE.
To be selected, a student must be academically promising - prospective scholars must be in the top 5 percentile performing students in their District in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination.
One can also be an orphan or demonstrate that he/she is a vulnerable child who has no guardian or sponsor or whose parents are living under extreme poverty and unable to educate them.
Scholarship application forms are available at Equity Bank branches and Equity Agents.
You can also download the form here.
This application form must be filled accurately and completely in capital letters.
On being called for an interview, the applicant must bring the originals of all documents attached.
Copies of all documents required must be provided by the applicant whereas any applications without relevant documents will be rejected.
Upon receiving applications from the candidates, a rigorous selection is then conducted by the District Scholarship Selection Boards (DSSB) which reviews, shortlists, interviews and select students to receive the scholarship using predefined criteria.
2. 2019 KCB Foundation Scholarship
The KCB Foundation set up a fund to improve access and quality of education for needy students through the provision of scholarships and learning materials.
The fund has benefited over 1,500 students since its establishment in 2007.
To qualify for the scholarship, a candidate must have been admitted to a National or County school and scored the minimum marks set by region. For example in Nairobi, the cut-off is 400 marks, while in Nakuru, Meru, Machakos, Mombasa is 390 marks.
The package includes payment of school fees for the 4 years of secondary school.
Applicants collect application forms at any KCB Branch countrywide. The forms are available in the branches starting 1st December.
You can also download the form here.
Applicants submit their applications in a county interview and selection process conducted by KCB staff teams
Applicants with disability are recruited through the county social development offices and integrated /special primary schools.
Home visits are conducted to verify the needy status of the shortlisted candidates and selected candidates are assigned to individual mentors and begin school
3. Co-operative Bank Foundation Scholarship
Co-op Bank Foundation has a scholarship program that provides aid to less fortunate children who are facing difficulties in paying school fees for secondary education.
During the 2018 intake, a record 655 Form one's benefitted from the fund making it the largest secondary education scholarship scheme.
Application forms can be picked from any Cooperative Bank branch or Cooperative Bank agent in Kenya.
More information on this scholarship program is available from the branch manager at your nearest Co-operative Bank branch or email co-opfoundation@co-opbank.co.ke or call 0711 049 475, 020 3276 100 and ask for the Co-op Bank Foundation.
The admissions process opens in March when application forms are sent out across the country and ends in December when the final list of selected students is generated.
Every year, the school aims for a maximum of 200 students, four from each county, who are selected out of thousands of applications.
All students who join form one are offered a full scholarship. However, they do not enrol self-sponsored students giving an opportunity to corporate sponsored students.
Applicants must attach copies of the Birth Certificate, Parent/ guardian ID, Academic reports for the last years, co-curricular activity certificates, evidence of leadership, payslip of parent/guardian.
You can download the forms here.
5. Jomo Kenyatta Foundation Scholarship
JKF Scholarship Programme targets bright but needy orphans and vulnerable children in public secondary schools in Kenya.
To qualify one must meet be a (1) poor orphan, (2) Poor child with disability, (3) Child rendered vulnerable by factors affecting access to education, (4) child suffering from extreme poverty, (5) Child who attains 70% of the maximum marks or as agreed by the Board of Directors for marginalized areas and persons with disabilities.
Selection is through a rigorous interview process by a panel comprising of the JKF staff, Ministry of Education officials, JKF alumni, and primary school head teachers.
Home visits are carried out by the JKF staff, care caution taken to have staff visit regions other than their home areas for purposes of objectivity and impartiality.
You can download the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation scholarship application form 2018, visit the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation website (www.jkf.co.ke) and download it from there or obtain it from any of the County Education Offices countrywide.
Once you have filled the application form, you also need to attach the following documents; Death certificate or burial permit for the deceased parent or parents, Applicant’s Birth Certificate and a recommendation letter from the local administration.
