NG-CDF Bursary 2026: How to Apply in Your Constituency

Last reviewed: 25 October 2026

The National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) bursary is the bursary most Kenyan families can actually reach. Every one of the 290 constituencies runs its own scheme, so a learner in Grade 10, at a TVET college or at university can apply close to home. It rarely pays the whole fee, but combined with a county bursary or a scholarship it can close the gap. This guide explains how the process works and how to avoid the most common reasons applications are rejected.

Who can apply

NG-CDF bursaries are for needy learners who live in the constituency. Most forms cover day and boarding secondary (now senior school), and many constituencies run a separate form for colleges, TVETs and universities. For example, Ainamoi constituency publishes three forms on the NG-CDF downloads page: boarding secondary, day secondary, and university and colleges. Read your own constituency’s form carefully, because the rules on who counts as a resident, which schools qualify and whether continuing students can reapply differ from place to place.

When the window opens

There is no single national date. Constituencies open their bursary window when their annual allocation is available, and the dates are announced through public notices, chiefs’ barazas, churches, local radio and the constituency’s own NG-CDF website. As one example, Seme constituency’s public notice for 2025/2026 said forms were available from 8 December 2025, and would be received only from 5 to 9 January 2026 at the NG-CDF office in Kombewa (Seme NG-CDF public notice). In Kiambu, the Kenya News Agency reported forms being distributed through ward centres in February 2026 (Kenya News Agency). A window of five working days is not unusual, so ask your area chief or the NG-CDF office now which month to expect.

Step by step

1. Get the right form. Use the current year’s form for your constituency only. Old forms or forms from a neighbouring constituency are rejected. Download it from ngcdf.go.ke/downloads, your constituency’s NG-CDF site, or collect it from the office.
2. Fill it in completely and honestly. Answer every question. Write “not applicable” rather than leaving a blank.
3. Get the signatures. Most forms need the head teacher or principal, the area chief or assistant chief, and sometimes a religious leader. Start early: these people are busy during the bursary window.
4. Attach the documents. Usually the current fee structure or fee balance statement, the learner’s birth certificate or school ID, the parent’s ID, an admission or calling letter for new students, and death certificates where a parent has died. See our full documents checklist.
5. Submit on time. Hand it in at the NG-CDF office or ward centre named on the form, and ask for a stamp or note that shows it was received.

How the money is paid

Successful applicants do not receive cash. The bursary committee sends a cheque or transfer to the school, which credits the learner’s fee account. Check your child’s fee statement next term to confirm the amount arrived. If it has not appeared after a term, ask the school bursar first, then the NG-CDF office, with your application details.

Common reasons forms are rejected

• Missing chief’s or head teacher’s stamp.
• No fee structure attached, or a fee structure from a different year.
• Applying in the wrong constituency, for example where you work rather than where you live.
• Handing in the form after the deadline. Committees rarely accept late forms.

Combine it with other support

An NG-CDF bursary is usually a partial award. Apply for your county or ward bursary too (see county bursaries explained), and check national scholarships such as the KCB Scholars Programme and the Ministry of Education Elimu Scholarship, which usually open in December. Our bursaries and scholarships board lists each one with its official source and next window.