Elimu Scholarship in Kenya: Who Qualifies and How to Submit Your Application
The Kenyan government has issued fresh guidance on the Elimu Scholarship Programme, a flagship education funding initiative designed to support academically gifted learners from disadvantaged backgrounds as they transition to senior school.
Administered by the Ministry of Education through the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation (JKF), the Elimu Scholarship targets learners who risk dropping out of school due to poverty, displacement, disability, or other social vulnerabilities, despite demonstrating strong academic potential.
Education officials say the programme is aimed at ensuring “no bright child is left behind because of circumstances beyond their control”, particularly under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Who qualifies for the Elimu Scholarship?
Eligibility for the Elimu Scholarship is tightly defined to ensure funding reaches learners most in need. Only students from public junior schools are eligible, with private school candidates automatically excluded.
According to the Ministry of Education, the scholarship prioritises learners drawn from vulnerable groups, including:
- Orphans and learners from single-parent households where a parent is deceased
- Refugees enrolled in camp-based primary schools or public junior schools near Kakuma, Kalobeyei, and Dadaab refugee camps
- Learners living in urban informal settlements, including slums in Nairobi and Mombasa
- Children from families affected by chronic illness, disability, or extreme poverty
Academic performance is a key consideration. Applicants must have achieved between Level 5 (“Meeting Expectations”) and Level 8 (“Exceeding Expectations”) in the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) across Levels 5 to 8.
However, education officials note that affirmative action applies. Learners with special needs, those from indigenous or highly marginalised communities, and orphans may still be considered even if their academic performance falls slightly below the standard threshold.
What documents are required?
Beyond academic merit, applicants must provide documentary proof of financial or social vulnerability. Required documents may include:
- Death certificates for orphaned learners
- Medical reports for families affected by disability or chronic illness
- Affidavits or letters from local administrators confirming extreme poverty
- Reports from child protection agencies, religious leaders, or local authorities in cases of neglect or abuse
- Professional assessments for learners with special educational needs
The Ministry has warned that false information or forged documents will result in immediate disqualification, regardless of academic performance.
How to apply for the Elimu Scholarship
Applications for the 2026 Elimu Scholarship opened shortly after the release of the 2025 KJSEA results and officially closed on 23 December 2025 at 5:00pm.
Application forms are provided free of charge and can be accessed through:
- The Jomo Kenyatta Foundation website
- The Ministry of Education website
- County and Sub-County Education Offices nationwide
- UNHCR offices and camp administrators in Kakuma, Kalobeyei, and Dadaab
Applicants may submit their forms online or physically.
For online applications, candidates are required to create an account on the JKF portal, complete the form step by step, upload scanned copies of supporting documents, and submit before the deadline.
For physical submissions, forms must be completed in black ink and delivered, together with photocopies of required documents, to the nearest Sub-County Education Office.
A parent or guardian must sign a declaration confirming the accuracy of the information provided.
What happens after submission?
The Elimu Scholarship does not require entrance examinations at the initial stage. However, shortlisted candidates may be contacted by Community Scholarship Advisory Committees (CSACs) for verification interviews or home visits.
Successful applicants receive official award letters, with the scholarship taking effect once the learner reports to senior school.
The programme covers tuition fees, transport, school kits, pocket money, mentorship, and psychosocial support for the full three-year senior school cycle.
A lifeline for vulnerable learners
Education stakeholders have described the Elimu Scholarship as a lifeline for thousands of Kenyan children, offering a pathway out of poverty through education.
By targeting both academic excellence and genuine vulnerability, the programme aims to turn potential into long-term opportunity — ensuring that talent, not background, determines a learner’s future.
Also Read: White House rushes to defend Trump after shocking middle-finger gesture at heckler
Elimu Scholarship in Kenya: Who Qualifies and How to Submit Your Application