Grade 10 Scholarships in Kenya (2026) | Application, Eligibility & Funding

Grade 10 scholarships do exist in Kenya for learners joining senior secondary school in 2026 under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) transition. Kenya’s Ministry of Education has confirmed the Grade 10 transition timeline and runs national placement tools for Grade 9 learners moving to senior school. 

While national and private scholarship programmes play a key role, broader education financing in Africa remains constrained. As per scholarship statistics in Africa, between 2019 and 2021, the World Bank was the largest donor to education in Africa, disbursing an average of about US$1.0 billion per year to education programmes on the continent.

This guide explains where scholarships come from, who qualifies, what documents are required, and how to apply using verified programmes and official channels.

Quick Glance

• Grade 10 scholarships are available in Kenya for learners joining senior secondary school in 2026 under the CBC transition.
• The main national programme is the Elimu Scholarship run by the Ministry of Education through the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation.
• Major private sponsors include KCB Foundation and Equity Group Foundation (Wings to Fly).
• Learners with disabilities can apply for the KPC Foundation Inuka Scholarship.
• NG-CDF and county bursaries provide additional school fee support at the constituency level.
• Scholarships are awarded based on financial need, academic ability, and verification, not on age alone.
• Applications require documents such as a birth certificate, school records, parent ID, and proof of hardship.
• Parents should start with Elimu, then check KCB and Wings to Fly, and use NG-CDF bursaries to close any remaining fee gap.

Is There a Scholarship for Grade 10 in Kenya?

Yes. The most visible Grade 10-focused scholarships for the 2026 transition include:

• Elimu Scholarship Programme (Ministry of Education via Jomo Kenyatta Foundation) 
• KCB Foundation Scholarship (full secondary sponsorship + mentorship) 
• Equity Group Foundation “Wings to Fly” (comprehensive secondary scholarship support) 
• Kenya Pipeline Company Foundation “Inuka” (secondary scholarships for learners with disabilities) 
• NG-CDF bursaries (secondary school bursary support at constituency level; forms and processes are published by NG-CDF offices and the NG-CDF Board) 
• Huduma Kenya bursary/scholarship access point (central listing/access to bursary documents) 

How Can I Get a Scholarship for Secondary School in Kenya?

Most secondary-school scholarships in Kenya follow the same real-world process:

1. Confirm the learner is transitioning into senior school (Grade 10) and has placement/joining details where required. Kenya’s Grade 10 selection/transition platform exists for this stage. 
2. Identify the right sponsor type (national scholarship, corporate foundation, disability-focused programme, or bursary).
3. Prepare documents early.
4. Apply through the official channel (online portal, county/sub-county office, school, or sponsor website).
5. Attend vetting or interviews if the sponsor requires them (some programmes do). 

This matters because many Kenyan scholarships are not “first come first served.” 

They are awarded after verification of need + academic eligibility + local vetting.

Who Qualifies for Grade 10 Scholarships in Kenya?

Eligibility for grade 10 scholarships depends on the sponsor, but the most common verified patterns are:

1) Needy and vulnerable learners (national scholarship model)

The Elimu Scholarship Programme targets needy and vulnerable learners across all 47 counties, managed through the Ministry of Education and Jomo Kenyatta Foundation. 

2) Bright but financially disadvantaged learners (corporate foundation model)

KCB Foundation describes its scholarship as supporting bright but financially disadvantaged learners, including full secondary sponsorship plus mentorship and support services. 

Equity’s “Wings to Fly” supports academically promising learners from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, selected across Kenya’s counties. 

3) Learners with disabilities (affirmative action model)

Kenya Pipeline Company Foundation’s Inuka is explicitly a secondary education scholarship for learners with disabilities from humble backgrounds, across all 47 counties. 

What is the Minimum Age to Get a Scholarship?

So, what is the youngest age you can get a scholarship? In Kenya, most secondary-school scholarships are grade-based, not age-based. If a learner is eligible for secondary education and meets the sponsor’s rules, age is usually not the deciding factor.

However, some school scholarship programmes that operate in Kenya do publish age ranges. For example, Beacon scholarships list eligibility for secondary school candidates aged 13–18 (Kenya included). 

Practical rule: focus on the sponsor’s grade/assessment requirements and vulnerability criteria first, then check any age limits listed on that sponsor’s official application page.

List of Grade 10 Scholarships in Kenya for 2026

1) Elimu Scholarship Programme (Ministry of Education via Jomo Kenyatta Foundation)

The Elimu Scholarship is an official national programme targeting needy and vulnerable learners joining senior secondary school in 2026. 

How to apply:

• Download the application form from the JKF website or the Ministry of Education website. 
• Apply online at the official portal: https://scholarship.jkf.co.ke. 
• Or collect the form from the nearest Sub-County Education Office (and for refugee learners, the Camp Manager’s office in Kakuma/Dadaab). 
• Submit the completed form online or in person before the deadline. 

What to expect:
This is one of those grade 10 scholarships that covers school fees, transport, school kits, and pocket money, and also offers mentorship and psychosocial support during the senior school period. 

2) KCB Foundation Scholars Programme (Secondary Scholarship)

The KCB Scholars Programme supports bright but financially disadvantaged students with full secondary school sponsorship, including school fees, learning materials, mentorship, psychosocial support, and future pathways. 

How to apply:

• Visit the KCB Foundation website and download the scholarship application form. 
• Alternatively, collect the application form from any KCB bank branch countrywide. 
• Submit the completed form at an interview venue with a parent/guardian. 

What to expect:
Applicants are assessed based on academic achievement (e.g., Meeting Expectation from KJSEA), financial need, and other criteria such as leadership potential. 

3) Equity Group Foundation — Wings to Fly Scholarship (Secondary Scholarship)

The Wings to Fly programme by Equity Group Foundation offers comprehensive secondary education support for academically promising but financially challenged learners from all counties. The scholarship typically covers tuition fees, accommodation, transport, books, uniforms, pocket money, and mentorship throughout secondary school. 

How to apply:

Applications are usually made via equitygroupfoundation.com or at selected Equity Bank branches and agents. 

Selection is done through community scholarship boards, and candidates are chosen based on academic and need criteria. 

4) Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Foundation — Inuka Scholarship (Disability-Focused)

The Inuka Scholarship by KPC Foundation is aimed at learners living with disabilities who qualify for senior secondary school. It provides support for education and related needs, and in some cases extends support through tertiary education. 

How to apply:

Download the application form from the KPC Foundation website or collect it at designated centres. 

Complete the form and submit it along with all required supporting documents as instructed. 

What to expect:
The programme typically includes interviews and verification, and no fees are charged at any stage of the application process. 

5) NG-CDF Bursaries (Secondary School Fee Support)

The National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) bursaries are a major source of secondary school funding for needy learners. These bursaries are administered at the constituency level and help cover school fees and related costs. 

How to apply:

Visit your NG-CDF constituency office to obtain the official bursary form for the current financial year. 

Complete the form and attach required documents (e.g., KJSEA result, senior school admission letter, birth certificate, proof of need). 

Submit it to the NG-CDF office by the published deadline. 

6) Huduma Kenya — Bursary/Scholarship Access Point

Huduma Kenya provides a central online portal where learners and parents can access bursary and scholarship forms from various government and county programmes. This simplifies the first step of finding official documents. 

How to apply:

Visit the Huduma Kenya bursaries page and follow the links to download relevant forms or instructions. 

Use this as a starting point to find bursary or scholarship forms for NG-CDF, county, or other official sponsors. 

Grade 10 Scholarship Application: Documents Typically Required

Exact documents vary by sponsor, but these are commonly requested across verified scholarship application processes:

• Learner identification details (birth certificate or equivalent)
• Assessment or academic performance record as required by the sponsor
• Admission or placement evidence (where applicable)
• Parent/guardian IDs
• Proof of vulnerability or hardship verification (often local administration verification)
• For disability-focused scholarships: proof of disability registration, where required

For example, disability scholarship application forms (such as KPC Inuka) explicitly request items like KCPE result slip, birth certificate, NCPWD card/waiting card, and parent/guardian IDs. 

Step-By-Step: How To Apply For Grade 10 Scholarships In Kenya (2026)

Step 1: Start with the right category

Pick one of these paths based on the learner’s situation:

• National scholarship (Elimu) 
• Corporate foundation scholarship (KCB, Equity) 
• Disability-focused scholarship (KPC Inuka) 
• Local bursary support (NG-CDF / county bursaries) 

Step 2: Apply only through official channels

Use sponsor websites, official PDFs, or verified portals:

• JKF official Elimu application form 
• KCB Foundation scholarship pages and FAQs 
• Equity Foundation Wings to Fly page and application guidance 
• NG-CDF Board or constituency forms 

Step 3: Prepare documents before deadlines

Many families lose opportunities by submitting incomplete sets. Sponsors may disqualify incomplete applications.

Step 4: Attend verification or interviews if required

Some programmes include vetting/interviews at official government offices or designated points. 

Step 5: Track outcomes and keep copies

Keep a copy of every submitted form and document set, plus reference numbers if an online system is used.

What is the Easiest Scholarship to Get in Kenya?

There is no universally “easy” scholarship because awards depend on limited funding and verification.

But in practice:

• Bursaries (like NG-CDF and county bursaries) can be more accessible for many families because they are designed for local fee support and usually run every year. 
• Full scholarships (KCB, Wings to Fly, Elimu) are more competitive because they often cover more than fees and use structured selection processes. 

FAQs 

Summary

For grade 10 scholarships in 2026 in Kenya, the most reliable approach is to start with Elimu (MoE/JKF), then check KCB and Wings to Fly, and finally apply for NG-CDF/county bursaries to close any remaining fee gap. Each path has clear official pages or forms, and those sources should be used before sharing personal documents with anyone. 

Varsha Asrani

Varsha Asrani is a lecturer and education writer with experience as Visiting Faculty at AUPP and ATMC College, and as a Lecturer with TalentEdge and UpGrad. She is the Founder of the Asrani Institute of Education and Counselling. Varsha specializes in scholarships, e-learning, and career guidance for African students and professionals, and regularly visits Africa to gather first-hand insights that shape her research and articles.