Scholarship opportunities for bright and needy students in Kenya

Banks and insurance companies are among organisations that have come in to ease the burden on parents and guardians struggling to raise Form One school fees.

The institutions are targeting bright and needy students across the country.

They are offering scholarships and grants that cover tuition fees, school uniform, learning materials and mentorship activities, among others.

For instance, KCB Foundation Scholarship has set aside Sh100 million to sponsor 240 needy students who attained the cut-off mark set for each county, and have qualified for admission to either public national or county secondary school.

The scholarship forms are available at all KCB branches, where one can also get more information. Already, KCB is supporting more than 800 students in various secondary schools.

Applicants should attach result slips and a letter of admission. Only applicants from public primary schools are eligible for the scholarships.

Insurer Liberty Life is another firm offering sponsorship. Top performing pupils in last year's KCPE exams whose parents have an education policy with the insurance firm stand a chance to benefit from the four-year education grant.

The grant will be payable directly to the student's secondary school and is open to those who scored 350 marks and above. Parents should provide proof of parenthood and evidence of examination results and send them over before February 18.

The company has in the past five years sponsored over 120 students in various national and provincial schools across the country. Application forms should be sent to the firm's corporate social responsibility chairperson, Liberty House, on Mamlaka Road, Nairobi.

Equity Group Foundation is another financial institution offering comprehensive scholarships to 2,000 bright pupils from poor backgrounds.

Popularly known for its Wings To Fly programme, the scholarship is eligible to those who scored 350 marks and above.

Application forms can be obtained at Equity Bank branches or Equity agents around the country and returned by January 6.

Short-listed candidates will be invited for interviews to be conducted by the district Scholarship Selection Board.

Those eligible for scholarship also include children who have lost one or both parents, children whose parents are physically or mentally challenged, and those whose parents are living with HIV and Aids or other chronic illness.