How To Get A Sponsor For Education In Kenya 2024

How To Get A Sponsor For Education In Kenya…. Are you looking for a way to get a sponsor for your education? If yes, then this informative article will guide you on the step by step on how to do that.

The objective of Sustainable Development Goal 4 is to ensure equitable and inclusive quality education. To this end, the expectation is that by 2030 all children (boys and girls) complete quality, free primary and secondary education.

Moreover, by then students should be able to access affordable tertiary training, and barriers to accessing universal quality higher education will have been eliminated. 

But, as global citizens wait for this goal to materialize, obtaining quality and affordable education remains a challenge. For this reason, most guardians and students are looking for ways how to get a sponsor to cover the cost of education.

Here in Kenya, the government introduced free primary education and most recently free tuition for secondary school. As for higher education, the fees are relatively fair for government-sponsored students but still so expensive for some. 

So, how do you as a parent or guardian get help with the education bills? A sponsorship or scholarship will help your child get a quality education and help you cater to the costs.

How To Get A Sponsor For Education

If you are looking for a sponsor, you are in luck as we will help you learn about the available opportunities. Over the last couple of years, corporate, government, and non-governmental organizations, and individuals have provided education sponsorship.

General Tips On How To Get A Sponsor

Do you want to know how to attract education sponsors? Here are tips that will help you increase your chances of earning a scholarship/sponsorship.

1. Search For Available Sponsorship Opportunities

You can find out about the current sponsorship opportunities through the media (digital and print). Also, you can sign up for email notifications with the organizations offering the scholarships. One of the sites that regularly update you on available scholarships is the Ministry of Education.

For those looking for a High School sponsor, begin your search just before students get admitted to form one. If you want university sponsorship, you can always visit the financial aid office at your institution. You will find a list of popular education sponsors in Kenya.

2. Identify Potential Sponsors Then Do Your Homework

Write down a list of sponsors who are offering what you need, i.e., high school scholarships. Then research each company to find out more about their requirements and admission processes. When you do a background check, you will be able to familiarize yourself with the organization’s program. Also, you can package your application letter to align with the goals of the sponsors.

3. Know The Details Of The Sponsorship And Prepare

Next, read through all the terms and conditions then check the deadline for application. Some sponsorship offers may require you to have certain documents like recommendation letters. Now, plan your application. Give yourself targets. For example, you could say that I will have all the needed documents two weeks before the deadline.

4. Prepare Your Application Forms And Other Supporting Documents Like Resumes And Essays

You will notice that in most sponsorship forms, you have to explain why you need the scholarship. In as much as financial difficulty may be the number one reason, do not be afraid to talk about your achievements, and aspirations when applying for the sponsorship. Also, mention any awards or leadership roles you held in the past. Remember, due to the many applications only the best neediest students will earn a spot.

When writing an application essay to get an education sponsor in Kenya, you need to keep in mind the following

• The Target Audience

How does your goal align with that of your potential sponsor?

• The Instructions

If the sponsor asks you to write not more than 300 words, do not exceed. You can find creative ways to capture all you need to say. Also, keep in mind the instructions about the format.

• Uniqueness

The sponsor first gets to know you through your application letter. Therefore, be as creative and unique as you can. Avoid rewriting other letters you may find on the internet. Instead, use them as a benchmark.

• Cite Specific Examples

For example, if you have to explain a situation where you demonstrated leadership, give as much detail as you can.

5. Get Your Recommendation Letters

Your referees will speak on your character, achievements, and situation. You can ask your teacher, community leaders, or religious leaders to write you a recommendation letter.

6. Read Through Your Application Before Sending

When you proofread, you can make amendments where possible. You can also ask your guardian or teacher to go through your application to evaluate it.

There are three categories of students (the needy, bright students, and gifted/talented students) who can find a sponsor for education in Kenya easily.

How To Get A High School Sponsor For A Bright Student

Perhaps the easiest way to get sponsored fast is to perform well in your studies. Most of the time, organizations use national examinations such as KCPE to administer scholarships. Currently, several organizations offer scholarships for top achievers in Kenya. Below are some organizations that support bright students.

1. Equity Group Foundation Wings To Fly Program

The Equity Group Wings to Fly Program began in 2010 intending to increase access to high school education. Equity Group targets the top-performing students (a girl and a boy) in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education in each district. Apart from paying for your school fees, Equity Group will cater for the costs of your books, uniforms, transportation, and incidental expenses. Also, Equity Group has leadership development and mentoring programs customized for students.

2. KCB Foundation

KCB Foundation also provides four-year full scholarships for bright but needy students joining high school. The foundation targets two hundred to two hundred and forty students each year. The qualification requirements are

• You should be from a needy home
• You should have scored at least the county cut-off marks in KCPE
• You should have received an admission letter from a national or county secondary school

The other benefits of the Kenya Commercial Bank scholarship program are mentorship sessions (quarterly and annually) with KCB staff and internships during and after your higher education studies. Also, KCB offers helpful devices, personal effects, and other learning materials for students with disabilities.

3. KENGEN Foundation Scholarships

The KENGEN Foundation Scholarships program targets high achievers in KCPE and KCSE and has been in existence since 2005.

University Sponsorship For Bright Students

There are several opportunities for aid available for students who want to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies locally and internationally. Here are some sponsorship programs you should keep in mind.

1. Internal Sponsorship From Universities

Some Kenyan universities have set up internal financial aid departments to help bright students cover their fees. One such university is Strathmore University which offers merit-based scholarships for learners pursuing professional courses, diplomas, and undergraduate courses at the institution.

Strathmore also awards scholarships to top performers in Mathematics Contests in form four to study CPA, ACCA, or a Diploma in Business Information Technology. Bright and needy government-sponsored students studying at the University of Nairobi can apply for the Prof Muriuki scholarships.

USIU Africa through its financial aid office offers full scholarships to two needy top achievers (a girl and a boy) in KCSE to pursue an undergraduate course at the university. To qualify for the USIU Africa program, you should have scored a mean grade of B+ and above in KCSE and demonstrate leadership achievements.

University sponsorship in collaboration with external partners

Some universities in Kenya have partnered with other organizations to offer scholarship opportunities to bright students. Strathmore partners with the East African Breweries Limited Foundation and McKinney Rogers Foundation to provide full scholarships to bright but needy students who want to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Business Information Technology at the university.

Strathmore also offers European Union scholarships to students in their final year in high school who want to study CPA, Diploma in Business Information Technology, and Diploma in Business Management. For students studying at the University of Nairobi, you can apply for scholarships from the Rattansi Education Fund, Aga Khan Foundation, and Gandhi Smarak Nidhi Fund.

2. Ministry of Education Scholarships

Each year, the Ministry of Education lists scholarship opportunities available in Kenya and internationally. Here you can find sponsorship opportunities for technical courses, specific undergraduate majors (e.g., Economic Development, Public Management, Engineering), and postgraduate courses. For these scholarships, you have to be within the cut-off marks and age limit specified. Visit the website regularly to find out more about the current scholarship programs.

3. Annual International Scholarships

Some of the yearly international scholarships that target bright students include

• DAAD Scholarships – The program offers merit-based sponsorship to study at a university in Germany
• Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships
• The Rhodes Scholarships for Kenya

How To Get A Sponsor For School Fees For Needy Students

Needy students may include those who come from low-income families and orphans. Most of the sponsorship opportunities for students in this category come from companies and non-governmental institutions. But, you have to provide evidence that shows you are needy. 

Most of the time, organizations will want to know the family income per year and then gauge whether or not you qualify to get an education sponsor in Kenya. Below are some of the organizations that offer sponsorship to needy students in Kenya.

1. The Jomo Kenyatta Foundation (JKF)

The JKF scholarship program began in 1968 and has so far helped more than nine thousand students. This program awards students from needy backgrounds a four-year sponsorship through high school. Each year, JKF selects at least one needy boy and a girl from each of the forty-seven counties in Kenya. To earn this scholarship, you should have the following;

Evidence that you are an orphan or from a needy background. You can verify this by attaching a copy of your parent’s death certificate for orphans and an income statement for needy students.

• A certified copy of your KCPE result slip.
• A copy of your birth certificate
• A filled application form

You will notice that the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation does not have specifications about the minimum marks in KCPE. However, the foundation keenly monitors a student’s performance in high school. In the event you fail to score more than 50% in your exams each year, JKF could terminate your scholarship.

2. Equity Group Foundation (Wings to Fly)

Equity Group, the parent company of Equity Bank, offers scholarships for financially needy students joining high school. Financial need means that your economic status cannot allow you to afford education. Equity group classifies the following as financially needed; orphans, students affected by parental illness/disability, and those displaced due to civil conflict or a disaster.

The foundation works with local community leaders and Equity Bank staff across the country to vet and select candidates. The selection process includes interviews and visits to your home. Apart from the scholarship, the students benefit from the leadership and mentoring programs provided by the foundation.

3. Non-Governmental Organization Scholarships

Some non-governmental organizations offer children from poor and marginalized communities sponsorship opportunities. For example, World Vision works with partners and volunteers to sponsor children. For sponsorship opportunities from non-governmental organizations like World Vision, a background check usually done by a social worker may determine your eligibility.

University Sponsorship For Needy Students

Needy students looking for a sponsor can find help from the following

1. Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

The Higher Education Loans Board offers loans and grants to students enrolled in public and private universities in Kenya. For you to qualify for HELB, you must provide evidence including family incomes (payslips, income statements), and death certificates.

2. Financial Aid Programs For Needy Students By Local Universities

Kenyatta University offers OVS scholarships for orphans and vulnerable students enrolled at the institution. USIU Africa has a student-led initiative dubbed Educate Your Own (EYO) that provides scholarships worth twenty-five Kenyan shillings to needy students enrolled in the institution.

3. Work Study Programs

The other way to get a college sponsor is to enroll in university work-study programs. In this case, you get a partial scholarship by working part-time at your university. Some of the Kenyan universities that have this program include USIU-Africa and Strathmore University.

How To Get A Sponsor For Talented/Gifted Students

If you excel in sports, arts, drama, or music, you can find a sponsor to help you cater to your education. For most talent scholarships, learning institutions scout for talent during competitions in high school such as the drama festival or Games tournaments. If you want to earn a sports/drama scholarship, begin honing your skills in a particular field early. Here are some sponsorship opportunities for this category of students

1. Hillcrest Secondary Scholarships

Hillcrest Secondary has Music, Drama, Art, and Sports Scholarships targeting gifted students. To qualify for these scholarships, you will have to pass the assessment tests and provide proof such as certificates that show you excel in a particular field. Hillcrest awards these scholarships for those joining Year 9 for the IGCSE program and Year 12 for A-Levels.

2. Strathmore University Sports Scholarships

Strathmore University provides partial sponsorship for students who excel in sports like Rugby.

As we wait for Sustainable Development Goal 4 to be achieved in Kenya and across the globe, it is clear that sponsorship opportunities are necessary to secure the dreams of boys and girls. In the meantime, use the tips above on how to get a sponsor for education plus the leads on where to get sponsorship to help yourself or someone in need get financial help.

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