Scholarships for Kenyan Students Pursuing Degree Studies

Scholarships for Kenyan students are available from all parts of the world including Kenya itself. The scholarships vary in study destinations, types, targets and amounts for undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Read on to find out what scholarships for Kenyan students may be suitable for you!

1. Jomo Kenyatta Foundation Scholarship

Founded in 1968, the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation (JKF) Scholarship Program improves access to education and transition through provision of scholarships and mentorship to academically promising Kenyan orphans and children from poor vulnerable backgrounds in public secondary schools. The scholarship covers tuition and uniform as per the scholarship policy.

JKF partners with the following institutions to make the Program reach out to as many beneficiaries as possible: The Ministry of Education, East Africa Philanthropic Network, and Rotaract Club of Nairobi Central.

Applications are received annually from bright and academically promising needy students who meet the minimum eligibility criteria from all countries. 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 impartially.

2. Ministry of Education Kenya Scholarships

The Ministry of Education in Kenya has created partnership with other countries to support the people in need of financial assistance, specifically in educational matters. Below are some of the available government scholarships for Kenyan students.

• • Egyptian Scholarships: 100 fully-funded scholarships awarded to African students. The scholarships include travel tickets from and to the country where students receive their certificates, accommodation in the university dormitories, tuition fees, books, academic tools, medication, and pocket money.
  • Algeria Government Scholarships: 105 scholarships for Kenyan students at undergraduate level in specialties taught in French language (except for Diplomat in Imamat which will be taught in Arabic). The teaching in specialties will be preceded by one year preparatory learning of French language. The scholarship includes tuition fees, accommodation, meals, university transport, medical insurance and a monthly pocket money. The one-way air ticket is not included in the package.
  • Greece Scholarships: Scholarships offered for undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Candidates for Master’s and Doctoral levels of study must already be accepted by universities in Greece by the time of application for the scholarship.
  • Government of the Sultanate of Oman Scholarships: Two full scholarships offered to Kenyan students at undergraduate level. The scholarship covers tuition fees, a return air ticket and a monthly allowance of RO 200 per student in case the educational institution does not provide accommodation for students. In case the accommodation has been provided for students, the scholarship holder will be entitled to receive a monthly allowance of RO 140. The scholarships are available for studies in the areas of engineering, management and information systems, and language specialization and literature.
  • Ignacy Lukasiewicz Scholarship Program: Scholarships by the government in Poland, offered to prospective Kenyan students. The scholarship provides the following:
    • Free education (exemption from tuition fees) as part of a second cycle program of studies in Poland and during preparatory course for undertaking in Poland)
    • A monthly allowance from the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange to cover costs of accommodation and living
    • Education provided in the following areas of study: Natural Sciences, Technical Sciences, Agricultural, Forestry and Veterinary Sciences
    • Opportunity to learn Polish language and familiarize with Polish culture
    • Candidates choose a higher education institution and degree program from among the educational offers of Polish public higher education institutions.
  • The Government of the People’s Republic of China Scholarships: A total of 30 scholarships are available for undergraduate, masters and doctoral programs to Kenyan students.

3. IUCEA-KDU Scholarships

The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) is an institution of the East African Community (EAC) responsible for the coordination of development of higher education and research in the community. The mission of IUCEA is to encourage and develop mutually, beneficial collaboration between Member Universities and between them and Governments and other organizations, both public and private.

The IUCEA wishes to announce a call for applications for undergraduate scholarships to study at Kyungdong University (KDU) – a private higher education institution located in the large town of Goseong-gun, Gangwondo, South Korea – for Bachelor’s degree study of Smart Computing, Hotel Management and Business Administration.

Up to 30 scholarships are available each year for the next 5 years. The duration of the scholarship will be 4 years until completion of the undergraduate program, subject to satisfactory performance in each year of the study. The scholarship covers the following:

• • Kyungdong University will provide scholarships for each selected student comprising of:
    • Tuition fees of USD 10,000 per year for up to 4 years
    • Accommodation fee of USD 1,600 per year
  • IUCEA will provide:
    • Return air ticket at the beginning and end of every two years of study
    • Health insurance of USD 200 per year
  • Parent / Guardian of selected students will meet other living expenses estimated at USD 200 per month.

4. Orphans and Vulnerable Students (OVS) Scholarship Fund Kenyatta University

Investing in Humanity through the Orphans and Vulnerable Students (OVS) Scholarship Fund Kenyatta University lays emphasis in the societal development of an individual and as such has established The Directorate of Financial Aid which administers the OVS Scholarship Fund to cater for the less privileged but deserving persons to pursue higher education at Kenyatta University. These scholarships are awarded at the beginning of each academic year.

The scholarships cover tuition only, thus the reason why they are referred to as partial scholarships. The scholarships also promote talent and are therefore also awarded to talented students in sports and creative arts. The scholarships consist of the following:

• • 45 partial scholarships
  • 9 KU Foundation full (100% tuition) scholarships
  • 5 partial Sports scholarships
  • 3 partial Creative Arts scholarships
  • 21 continuing students’ scholarships (25% tuition)

5. Strathmore University Financial Aid Schemes

The Strathmore University Financial Aid Office administers several financial aid schemes in supporting the University achieve its mission to provide all-around quality education to needy and deserving students. There are various internal and external Financial Aid Schemes in form of scholarships, loans, bursaries, work study, waivers, etc. The eligibility criteria vary depending on the type of financial aid one is applying for.

• • Scholarships
    • SU Merit and Need-based: Partial and full scholarships offered to students pursuing undergraduate, diploma and professional courses.
    • Sports: Scholarships for students who have demonstrated talent in sports. The award covers a percentage of the tuition fee.
    • European Union: Open to final year students in secondary schools who wish to study the following courses at Strathmore University in the coming year:
      • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
      • Diploma in Business Management
      • Diploma in Business Information Technology
    • Mathematics Contest: Awards for the country’s top Mathematics contestants. These students are awarded a tuition fee scholarship to pursue Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Association of Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) or Diploma in Business Information technology (DBIT).
  • Loans: Various types of loans available to students to enable them pursue various courses at Strathmore. Some of the loans include:
    • Strathmore loan: A merit loan scheme that enables bright and needy students pursue undergraduate courses at Strathmore. Selection is based on good academic performance and proof of the family’s financial neediness.
    • Kiva loan: A unique student loan which enables students to obtain tuition and laptop loans. These are available to undergraduate degree students in the fill-time program.
    • HELB loan: Various loans for university students with demonstrated financial need.
  • Bursaries: Grants based on need and outstanding academic ability and are normally awarded to students who meet additional criteria that may be set by the donor.

6. Masters Scholarships for Kenyan Students

• • Centre of Excellence for ICT in East Africa (CENIT@EA) Scholarships: Initiated by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the East African Community (EAC), CENIT@EA aims at achieving reasonable distribution of scholarships for master program in Embedded and Mobile Systems following a transparent and fair selection of scholarship recipients. The CENIT@EA scholarships cover tuition fees applied at NM-AIST, monthly allowance, rent assistance, financial assistance for studies an research as per NM-AIST fee structure. Self-funded / third-party sponsored candidates are highly encouraged to apply. In case that additional funding can be obtained by the project, the top 5 students of each cohort will engage in a short term exchange (four weeks, internship at a partner institution) to Germany.
  • Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships: A life-changing opportunity for cultural exchange and academic collaboration, providing opportunities across the globe. These scholarships are for students committed to creating change in their communities and contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Scholars build deeper and stronger links across the Commonwealth network, acting as ambassadors between home and host countries. Selected candidates of the scholarship will receive:
    • Fully-funded tuition fees
    • Living expenses allowance (stipend) for duration of award
    • Return economy flights to their host country
    • An arrival allowance
    • Research support grant – on request only; subject to approval

There are 2 application cycles for this scholarship:

• • • Cycle 1: Applicants for courses starting in July-October should receive the outcome of their application by July of the year of award.
    • Cycle 2: Applicants for courses starting in January-February should receive the outcome of their application by the October prior to the start of award.

• • Technical University of Kenya Master’s Degree Scholarships: Scholarships offered for studies at the Technical University of Kenya for an MSc in Geothermal Energy Technology, Industrial Engineering & Management, and Advanced Manufacturing & Automation Engineering. The scholarship will cover tuition and research fees only and does not cover subsistence or upkeep allowances.