Bursaries in Kenya That Can Assist Parents in Paying School Fees

School fees are an increasingly difficult responsibility for many families in Kenya.

The rising cost of education has left parents struggling to keep children in school, some forced to borrow money, sell property or seek financial help from relatives to meet fee deadlines.

Fortunately, a number of government-funded bursary programmes are available to assist learners from a disadvantaged background. These initiatives are designed to ensure that children and young people are not excluded from education because of financial hardship.

If you need help with school fees, then here are five bursary programmes to look into.

1. NG-CDF Bursary

The National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) bursary remains one of the most accessible education funding programmes in Kenya. In every constituency, part of the annual constituency budget is reserved to assist students who are unable to pay school fees.

The bursary is open to learners in public secondary schools, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, colleges and universities. Applications are submitted to the constituency NG-CDF offices where the bursary committees assess the applicants on financial need. Within the constituency, priority is often given to students from low-income households and vulnerable families.

2. Scholarships from the County government

Many county governments also have bursary schemes to assist students to continue with education. These programs, which vary from county to county in terms of application procedures, are generally geared towards financially challenged learners.

The beneficiaries are usually orphans, children with disabilities, students from poor households and other vulnerable groups. Parents usually have to apply through ward administrators, Members of County Assembly (MCAs), or county education offices depending on the county’s guidelines.

3. Bursary for the Presidential Secondary School

The Presidential Secondary School Bursary is exclusive to learners who come from very disadvantaged backgrounds and attend public secondary schools.

The programme mainly assists orphans, vulnerable learners, students from families in extreme financial hardship, and children in charitable or statutory institutions. The objective is to increase school enrolment, reduce the rate of dropping out and allow students to complete their secondary education even when they face financial difficulties.

4. National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)

The National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) offers bursary support to learners in financial need.

The programme seeks to promote equal educational opportunities by supporting students with disabilities, orphans, vulnerable children and learners from marginalised communities.

5. HELB Bursaries and Scholarships

HELB is better known for giving out student loans, but it also gives out bursaries and scholarships for qualifying students in higher education.

These financial assistance programs are available to eligible university and TVET students who have a financial need and meet certain eligibility criteria. Depending on the programme, support may help with tuition and other education-related costs.

Documents Needed to Apply for a Bursary

Most bursary programs need applicants to submit comparable supporting documentation, while each has its own application requirements. Early preparation of these documents can speed up the application process and improve the likelihood that submission deadlines will be met.

Typical prerequisites include:

• A duplicate of the student’s National Identity Card or birth certificate.
• National ID of the parent or guardian.
• The most recent school price schedule or an entrance letter.
• Current academic outcomes, if relevant.
• Records demonstrating financial need.
• If necessary, a recommendation or introduction letter from the chief, assistant chief, or another local administration.

Apply Early to Improve Your Chances

The majority of bursary programs have set application deadlines and may have restricted funding. Therefore, rather than waiting until schools reopen, parents are urged to apply as soon as application windows open.

Bursaries can greatly lessen the financial burden on families, even though they might not always cover the entire amount owed for school fees. It is possible to guarantee that students receive the assistance they require to continue their education without needless disruptions by being aware of the financing sources that are available, verifying their eligibility, and submitting the required paperwork ahead of time.