Government Rolls Out Fully Funded Scholarships for Needy Students Joining Senior School in 2026
The Ministry of Education has announced a new round of fully funded scholarships for needy and vulnerable students joining Senior School in 2026, in a move aimed at expanding access to secondary education across all 47 counties.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, December 2, the Ministry confirmed that the programme—implemented through the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation (JKF)—will support learners who sat their Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) in 2025.
According to the notice, eligible students must have attained performance levels ranging from “meeting expectations” to “exceeding expectations,” corresponding to Achievement Levels 5 to 8. However, the Ministry stressed that learners with special needs and disabilities will be exempted from the academic threshold and will be considered irrespective of their assessment results.
“The Ministry of Education, through the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation, is awarding Elimu Scholarships in all the 47 counties to needy and vulnerable learners who will be joining senior school in the year 2026,” the Ministry stated.
Refugee Learners Also Eligible
The government also extended the scholarship programme to refugee learners residing in Kakuma, Kalobeyei and Dadaab camps. Applicants must have been enrolled in UNHCR-supported institutions or nearby public junior schools within the host communities.
Academic requirements for refugee applicants have been adjusted to ensure inclusivity. Boys are required to have attained Achievement Levels 5 to 8, while girls will qualify with a minimum score of Level 4 (“approaching expectations”) and above.
Targeted to the Most Vulnerable
The Ministry emphasised that the scheme is strictly meant for students from disadvantaged circumstances. Eligible categories include:
- Orphans and children from poor or vulnerable households
- Learners from urban informal settlements
- Students whose parents or guardians live with disabilities affecting their ability to support school-related expenses
- Children from families affected by HIV/AIDS or other chronic illnesses
- Learners who have suffered neglect, abuse or abandonment
- Students with special needs and disabilities
How to Apply
Application forms can be collected from Sub-County Education Offices or downloaded from the Ministry and JKF websites.
Refugee learners can obtain forms from the offices of Camp Managers or UNHCR centres in Kakuma and Dadaab. All completed forms must be submitted—either online or physically—by December 23, 2025, at 5.00 pm.
Online applications for both refugee and non-refugee learners will be processed through the portal: scholarship.jkf.co.ke.
“For refugee learners, the forms can be submitted to either the office of the Sub-County Director of Education or Camp Manager in Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps,” the Ministry clarified.
Shortlisted candidates, accompanied by their parents or guardians, will attend interviews conducted by Community Selection Advisory Committees (CSACs).
Scholarship Benefits
The package will cover:
- Full school fees
- Transport to and from school
- Shopping and essential school items
- Pocket money
- Mentorship and psychosocial support for the entire three-year senior school cycle
The Ministry said the programme aims to remove financial barriers that prevent talented learners from accessing quality education.
Mauritius Government Scholarships Also Announced
The development follows a separate announcement from the Government of Mauritius, which recently offered fifteen scholarships to Kenyan students for the 2025/2026 academic year.
In a notice issued on Tuesday, November 25, the Ministry said the opportunities include undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programmes. Full details—including eligibility criteria—have been published on both the Kenyan Ministry of Education’s website and the Mauritius Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology portal.
Interested applicants have been advised to review the guidelines carefully and apply through the channels outlined in the official notices.
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Government Rolls Out Fully Funded Scholarships for Needy Students Joining Senior School in 2026