Dear Class of 2024,
As you wait for your KCSE results, here are some opportunities that you could start looking into. Some of these opportunities do not even need your KCSE results, others have very close deadlines, and others need KCSE results in addition to other requirements. You could start familiarizing yourself with them now.
Good luck!
OPPORTUNITIES TO WATCH OUT FOR
1. Africa Leadership Academy (ALA) – Deadline January 15, 2025
Description:
ALA is a prestigious pan-African institution focused on developing the next generation of African leaders. It offers a two-year pre-university program for young leaders, combining academic rigor with leadership development.
Eligibility: You must be born after September 1, 2005 to apply for the ALA Class of 2025. Demonstrate leadership potential, a track record of community service, and academic excellence.
Application Deadlines: Regular decision, 1/15/2025.
Website:
https://www.africanleadershipacademy.org
Application guide:
2. United World Colleges (UWC)-Kenya – Deadline on January 10th, 2025.
Description:
UWC is a global education movement that brings together students from diverse backgrounds to study at one of its 18 international schools worldwide.
Key Details:
Programs: Two-year International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program.
Locations: Schools in countries such as the UK, Italy, Canada, Swaziland, and Hong Kong.
Scholarships: Partial and full scholarships are available based on need and merit.
Focus: Promoting peace, sustainability, and international understanding.
Eligibility: Students aged 16-18, showing leadership potential, academic merit, and a commitment to UWC values.
Application Deadlines: Deadline on January 10th, 2025.
Website: https://www.ke.uwc.org/
3. Kenya Scholar Access Program (KenSAP)
Description:
KenSAP helps high-achieving but financially disadvantaged Kenyan students gain admission to top universities, particularly in the U.S., with full financial aid.
Eligibility:
- Completed Form Four at a Kenyan secondary school in November 2024.
- Completed the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in November 2024.
- Scored a mean grade of at least an A- on the November 2024 KCSE. Send a statement if they scored between 74 and 78 to explain why they should be considered
- Scored at least a B in English
Support: College application assistance, mentorship, and SAT/ACT coaching, pre-college counselling and access to alumni network.
Be on the look out for applications immediately after KCSE results.
Website: https:https://www.kensap.org/apply
4. EducationUSA
Description:
EducationUSA offers free resources to help students explore opportunities for studying in the U.S., including college admissions guidance, test preparation, and scholarship information.
Eligibility: The minimum score to join the program is an overall grade of A- in the KCSE.
Be in the look out for when applications open after kcse results are announced.
Website: https://educationusa.state.gov/
5. Zawadi Africa Education Fund (Female-students only)
Description:
The Zawadi Africa Education Fund is a program designed to provide scholarships to academically gifted girls from disadvantaged backgrounds from Africa to pursue higher education in the USA, Uganda, Ghana, South Africa and Kenya.
What are the eligibility requirements for the Zawadi program?
• Be a female student.
• Have an A or an A- in your KCSE exams.
• Have undertaken a leadership role(s) in your school and/or community.
• Come from a financially needy background.
• Should have completed high school no more than two years before applying to Zawadi Africa.
Deadline: Applications are opened every February and closed in April of each year, so be in the look for their applications.
Website: https://www.zawadiafrica.org/apply-now/
6. EaSEP (Education and Social Empowerment Program)
Helps bright Kenyan students from low and middle-income settings apply to elite North American colleges and universities. EaSEP’s goal is to develop globally educated, open-minded, ethical leaders for Kenya’s future. Each year EaSEP will select 10 such students and help them apply for full need-based scholarships at some of the best universities in North America. The program’s goal is to provide a global education for Kenya’s future leaders. The program will run from mid July through November.
Eligibility:
• Earned at least an A-, be among the top students in their high school.
• Have demonstrated leadership.
• Have roots in Western Kenya.
EaSEP’s area of jurisdiction includes the following counties: Baringo, Nakuru, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Kericho and Bomet. Students should either be from this area or have attended high school there, and have financial need. Students from the areas of jurisdiction have priority but EasEP will consider those from outside the area, especially refugee students.
Candidates shall not have enrolled in a post-secondary degree program.
Deadline: Applications close around July, but be on the lookout for official communication.
Website: http://www.easepkenya.org/
For questions, contact the organization at Email; easepkenya@gmail.com.
7. HeadStart Africa by DLA Piper in collaboration with DLA Piper Africa
Description:
The program offers holistic support to students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, who have traditionally experienced barriers such as insufficient funding for their studies and lack of opportunities to develop employability and networks in their pursuit of tertiary education and a career in law.
To be eligible for Head Start you must:
• Come from a low-income household; is orphaned or vulnerable; is living with disability.
• Have an interest to pursue a legal career or law-related career such as finance or IT.
• Scored in the 70th percentile in KCSE based on school and background (B+ and above, B minimum will be considered for those from traditionally marginalised communities).
• Maintained good grades based on school and background (Scored B+ and above, B minimum for those from traditionally marginalised communities, in Form 3 & 4).
• Attended a government public secondary school.
• Completed the application form.
• Have a leadership and moral fitness letter from the secondary school.
• Have a letter from the local Chief.
• Have a university admission letter if already admitted.
For further information or inquiries please contact Sandra Abongo, Responsible Business Co-ordinator at headstartafrica@ikm.com
8. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program – USIU
Description:
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at United States International University-Africa (USIU) provides young Africans with access to quality education, leadership development, and support to drive social transformation.
Focus: Scholarships for academically talented yet economically disadvantaged students.
Benefits: Full tuition, housing, medical insurance, leadership training, and internship opportunities.
Eligibility: High school graduates who demonstrate leadership potential, commitment to community service, and financial need.
Locations: Scholarships specifically for study at USIU in Nairobi, Kenya.
Application Deadlines: Applications typically open in the first quarter of the year.
Website:
https://www.usiu.ac.ke/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program/
9. EXTRAS
For people specifically interested in applying to schools in the US, check out this article;
https://kenyansapplyingtousuniversities.com/college-guide/
On choosing courses post-KCSE: https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/thesauce/capital-campus-five-factors-to-consider-before-choosing-a-course/
I am always happy to help brainstorm ideas, advice, or support in any other way that I can.
The writer, Victoria Anyango is an undergraduate student at Davidson College in North Carolina, USA under the Canada Mathare Education Trust (CMETrust).
For more information contact her through; anyangovictoria220@gmail.com
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