County Government Bursaries and CDF Scholarships in Kenya: How to Apply

Two separate bursary sources

Kenyan students at secondary, college and university level can draw on two distinct government bursary channels. The National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) runs a bursary scheme through an office in each of Kenya's constituencies. County governments run a separate bursary fund through county headquarters and sub-county education offices. The two funds operate independently, so qualifying for one does not disqualify you from the other, as long as every application you submit is truthful.

Who can apply

• You live within the constituency or county issuing the bursary, since both funds target local residents.

• You are enrolled at a recognized secondary school, college, or university.

• Your household faces genuine financial hardship, which the form asks you to explain.

• You have not already exhausted that fund's support for the academic year.

Both NG-CDF and county bursary funds prioritize needy and bright learners over blanket coverage, since each constituency and county works with a fixed annual budget shared among many applicants.

How NG-CDF bursaries work

Each constituency runs its own NG-CDF bursary office, and the amount available depends on that constituency's allocation for the financial year. Applications generally open toward the end of the year, with deadlines commonly falling around mid-January of the following year, though exact dates vary by constituency, so confirm with your local NG-CDF office or the NG-CDF downloads page .

Disbursement happens several times during the year rather than as one payment, since constituencies release funds to institutions as their own allocations arrive from the national government.

How county government bursaries work

County bursary funds run on a separate calendar and separate budget from NG-CDF, set by each county assembly. Application windows, forms and eligibility details differ from county to county, so check your specific county government's website or visit the sub-county education office directly rather than assuming the same rules apply everywhere in Kenya.

How to apply

1. Get the bursary application form from your constituency NG-CDF office, your county headquarters, or download it from the fund's official website.

2. Fill in your personal details accurately: full name, school or institution, admission or index number, and parent or guardian information.

3. Write a clear, honest statement of your financial need and attach supporting documents such as a fee structure from your institution, a birth certificate, and a parent or guardian's ID.

4. Get the form verified and stamped by your local chief, assistant chief, or a recognized religious leader, which confirms your household circumstances to the selection committee.

5. Submit the completed form to the ward or sub-county office before the stated deadline, and keep a copy for your records.

Common reasons applications fail

• Incomplete forms, missing signatures, or missing supporting documents

• Submitting after the deadline

• Applying outside your registered constituency or county of residence

• Providing false information about your financial circumstances, which disqualifies the whole application

Tips

• Apply to both your NG-CDF office and your county bursary fund in the same cycle, since the two do not conflict.

• Ask your institution's finance office for an official, dated fee structure. Bursary committees weigh applications with clear numbers more than vague requests.

• Follow up in person if you have not heard back close to the disbursement date. Local offices handle high volumes of forms and misplace paperwork sometimes.

• Reapply every year. Bursary support is not automatic once awarded, each academic year needs a fresh application.