The recently announced 2019 KCPE results have given the nation a chance to celebrate the stellar performances of various candidates.
In his address on November 18, Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha affirmed that Form One selection would be completed by December 2.
This, according to the CS would help parents with children joining secondary schools to prepare adequately before the fast-approaching festive season.
Many learners are also excited to join their dream schools, but as fate would have it, not all of them have the financial capability to pay the high cost.
However, there is no cause for worry. Here are some of the scholarships that would help sponsor a needy student to achieve their dreams.
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.
In order to be selected, a student must be academically promising.
Orphaned children or those whose parents are living under extreme poverty and unable to educate them are given a priority.
Scholarship application forms are available at Equity Bank branches and Equity Agents.
You can also download the form here.
After a successful application, shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview.
Copies of all documents required (KCPE results slip, copy of death certificate, evidence of financial support, evidence of special needs (if any), copy of payslip/ bank statement, signed declaration by applicant and parent/guardian and filled application and recommendation form by headteacher, provincial administration, religious leader etc) must be provided by the applicant in soft or scanned copies, whereas any applications without relevant documents will be rejected.
Important to note is that any false statements, omissions, or forged documents will lead to automatic disqualification.
2. 2020 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 and continues to benefit 240 students, with 40 of them being those with physical challenges every year.
The KCB scholarship pays school fees for the 4 years of secondary school, provides support for personal effect and learning materials among other things.
To qualify for the scholarship, a candidate must have been admitted to a national, county or ex-county school and scored the minimum marks set by region.
The application forms are available at all the KCB Branches countrywide and on the KCB Foundation website. One can also download them here.
The applicants will be expected to carry the forms for interviews scheduled to take place on December 7, 2019, in Co-op Bank branches countrywide, except for Nyamira County which will be held on December 6.
Interested candidates are advised to visit the branches or the website to see details of the interview locations.
3. Co-operative Bank Foundation Scholarships
Co-operative Bank Foundation has a scholarship program that provides aid to needy children who are facing difficulties in paying school fees for secondary education from all regions of Kenya.
During the January 2019 intake, a record 655 students benefitted from the fund, making it the largest secondary education scholarship scheme for the bank.
By 2019 6,985 deserving students have been assisted by the foundation, 6,677 will have gone through secondary education and 308 in university.
Application forms can be picked from any Co-operative Bank branch or Co-operative Bank agent in Kenya.
More information on this scholarship program is available from the Co-operative website https://www.co-opbank.co.ke/documents/press-releases/co-op-bank-2019-education-scholarships.
4. Government Scholarships
During the release of the 2019 KCPE results, Magoha announced that the government would provide 9,000 scholarships for needy and deserving students.
President Uhuru Kenyatta directed that children from the slums be part of the beneficiaries of the 9,000 scholarships.
More information on the same can be found on the Ministry of Education website.
5. Bursaries
The government sets aside a certain amount of money in the budget to help needy students to access education through the bursary programmes.
These funds are disbursed by county governments to the school accounts of the successful applicants.
Application forms can be accessed from the official websites of respective county governments which the applicants hail from. One can also visit the county government offices or any chief/sub-chiefs office.
The forms should be duly filled and copies of the required documents presented. The application process will require various signatures of government officials such as the Chief, Sub-Chief, Headmen and then from their Priest/Pastor/Sheikh.
The application forms can then be submitted to the County government or to the office of the area Chief/Sub- chief who will then take them to the appropriate offices.
