Last reviewed: 25 October 2026
The most generous scholarships for senior school in Kenya open for a few weeks, mostly in December, just after KJSEA results are released and Grade 10 placement letters go out. Families who know the calendar have their documents ready. Families who don’t often hear about a scholarship after it has closed. This calendar uses the dates the programmes actually used for the 2026 intake, taken from their official notices, so you can plan for the next round.
On this page
The calendar at a glance
| Month | What has opened | Last round’s dates |
|---|---|---|
| Early in the Grade 9 year (about February to May) | M-PESA Foundation Academy scholarship for Grade 9 learners | Closed 15 May 2026 for the January 2027 intake |
| December, after KJSEA results | KCB Scholars Programme | 2026 round: forms from December 2025, county interviews 19–20 December 2025 |
| December | Ministry of Education Elimu Scholarship (through JKF) | 2026 round: opened early December 2025, closed 23 December 2025 at 5 p.m. |
| December to February | NG-CDF constituency bursaries (vary by constituency) | Example: Seme received forms 5–9 January 2026 |
| Through the year | County and ward bursaries, Co-op Bank Foundation, JKF’s own scholarship | Check each provider |
December: the busy month
KCB Scholars Programme
For the 2026 intake, KCB Foundation asked for learners who sat KJSEA in 2025 at a public junior school, met their county merit score (the call mentioned Meeting Expectation, ME1, and above in all learning areas) and came from a needy background. Learners brought their filled forms and documents to county interviews on 19 and 20 December 2025 (KCB Foundation). The scholarship covers school fees, learning materials and mentorship.
Elimu Scholarship
The Ministry of Education, through the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation, awarded Elimu Scholarships in all 47 counties to needy learners joining senior school in 2026 who scored Achievement Levels 5 to 8 in KJSEA 2025. Learners with special needs and disabilities were considered regardless of level. The deadline was 23 December 2025, and the award covers fees, transport, a school kit and pocket money for the three years of senior school (Ministry of Education announcement).
Wings to Fly
Equity’s Wings to Fly has historically opened in December too. Its official page still describes KCPE-based selection, and as of October 2026 we have not seen an official call for KJSEA learners (Equity Group Foundation). Watch the foundation’s own website rather than WhatsApp forwards.
Earlier in Grade 9: M-PESA Foundation Academy
The Academy offers a fully funded three-year residential place for Grade 10 to 12. It accepts learners in their final year of junior school, aged 14 to 16, with strong academics, leadership potential and financial need, and admission is separate from national Grade 10 placement (M-PESA Foundation Academy). Because it closed in May for the 2027 intake, families of current Grade 8 learners should watch for the next call early in 2027.
A preparation plan for Grade 9 families
- Now (October and November): collect documents using our bursary documents checklist, and ask the junior school for leadership and co-curricular certificates.
- When KJSEA results come out: download the result slip and note the achievement levels in each learning area.
- When placement letters arrive: get the calling letter and the fee structure, since KCB and others ask for both.
- Through December: check the official websites every few days and apply to every programme your child qualifies for.
- January: apply for your NG-CDF and county bursaries as their windows open (see NG-CDF guide and county bursaries).
Dates change from year to year, so treat last round’s dates as a guide, and always confirm on the official source before applying. All the programmes above are free to apply for. See how to spot a scholarship scam.
Ten-minute check: try the free Grade 9 CBC Challenge. It has 10 questions, each marked on the spot with the working, and it shows which topics to practise next.