Catholic University of Eastern Africa Scholarships

Catholic University of Eastern Africa Scholarships

Financial Aid

1.0 Scholarship Opportunities

The University, in collaboration with other development partners, awards partial tuition scholarships and grants to full time students once every academic year. Eligibility is based on:

Economic need and scholastic achievement

Applicant’s personal character

Quality for future leadership

Demonstrated commitment to the University ideals/activities

Participation in community service

Note: Those who have not yet joined the University, first years, and final year students do not qualify. Application forms are available at the Financial Aid Office from the end of November every year and are returned before 28th February the following year. Results are released by September the same year. The following are the scholarships on offer.

University Tuition Grants (UTG):
A partial tuition scholarship that targets needy but bright students who must score a mean grade of B and above. In 2008/09 academic year, 452 undergraduate and 18 postgraduate students were awarded KShs 10 million ranging from KShs 10,000 to 40,000 each.

Missio Scholarship:a partial tuition grant for needy lay men and women, priests and religious in religious studies and Faculty of Theology. Consideration is also given to students in Education and Social Work who would work with the Church after graduation. The fund assists about 30 students every academic year with KShs 100,000 each.

St. Peter the Apostle: supports diocesan priests in any programme of study. However, sometimes, men and women religious are considered. In 2008/09 academic year, 105 students were awarded between KShs 80,000 (US$ 1145) and KShs 120,000 (US$ 1715).

The Founders’ Scholarship: This scholarship was launchedin October 2002 to honour and advance the qualities of the founding fathers of CUEA. It is exclusively for needy Catholic students from AMECEA countries. Recipients must exhibit a resolve to uphold and advance one or the other quality of one or all the founders. This is a way of keeping alive the spirit and vision of CUEA’s founding fathers. The fund supports a small number of beneficiaries every academic year at KShs 50,000 (US$ 750) each.

Rattansi Educational Trust Awards: It is financed by the Rattansi family in Kenya. It is a partial grant for needy Kenyan students pursuing undergraduate studies. In the last three years, 167 students have benefited from a disbursement of KShs 1.9 million. Applications are made through CUEA.

Dr. Joe Wanjui Educational Trust Fund: This was launched in the 2005/06 academic year. It supports gifted but financially deserving female students studying Science degrees. The amount varies considerably every year. Applications are made through CUEA but the Dr. Joe Wanjui Education Trust Board of trustees does the selection and awards.

USAID PEPFAR Scholarship: This is a full scholarship for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). It is financed by “The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)” which is a special grant funded by the Government of the United States through USAID Kenya. It supports Kenyan students who are half or totally orphaned by HIV/AIDS or other causes. It caters for tuition, accommodation, books and personal effects. Application forms are obtained from the home district children offices in February and November every year. USAID does the selection and awarding. The fund is managed by Price WaterHouse Coopers Ltd. Twenty two (22) CUEA students are currently sponsored under this scheme.

Windle Trust/CUEA Scholarship for Refugees: Under this scholarship, CUEA provides a full tuition waiver to every fourth student sponsored by Windle Trust Kenya. Windle Trust pays the administrative costs and upkeep of the students. In the last three years, five (5) students (three from Sudan, one each from DRC and Burundi) benefited from the scheme and are already in senior administrative positions in their home countries. A joint Windle Trust/CUEA panel selects the beneficiaries. Application dates and criteria are advertised by Windle Trust Kenya.

The AMECEA Scholarship: This is a full scholarship tenable in CUEA only. It covers tuition and accommodation expenses except administrative fees, research expenses, books, travel, medical cover and personal effects. The scholarship aims to develop human resources for the local church in the AMECEA region. Each National Conference is awarded one undergraduate and one postgraduate scholarship (one each at a time) which is only renewable after the beneficiaries complete their studies. Beneficiaries should commit themselves to serve the conference for FIVE (5) years after completion of their studies. Applications should reach the Vice-Chancellor of CUEA before 28th February of every calendar year.

2.0 Government Loans, Bursaries and Scholarships

Higher Education Loans: Besides the CUEA scholarships, needy Kenyan students at all levels of study qualify for Government loans ranging from KShs 35,000 to KShs 60,000 for undergraduate, KShs 120,000 (Masters) and KShs 150,000 (PhD) per year. There is no age limit for the loan. Scholarships are also offered worth KShs 200,000 (Masters) and KShs 450,000 (PhD). In the 2007/08 academic year, 2,217 undergraduate, 26 Masters and 11 PhD students were awarded more than KShs 64 million.

Ministry of Education Bursaries: The Ministry of Education awarded bursaries worth KShs 19 million to 534 students in the 2007/08 academic year. Many other students have benefited from the Community Development Funds at their constituencies.

Contact us: Please direct inquiries to Financial Aid Office at financial_aid@cuea.edu