Applying for a school scholarship

Eligibility

Open to candidates aged 13-18 years old looking to start or continue secondary school studies who are nationals of and ordinarily resident in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, or Zambia. Candidates must first be nominated by their current school head.

Application process

1. Nomination
   School heads nominate eligible candidates.
2. Application
   Candidates receive an application form and gain admission to a Beacon Partner School.
3. Evaluation
   The Beacon Equity Trust assesses candidates for academic ability, leadership potential, Changemaker qualities, and financial need.

Key requirements

• Academic excellence
  Grades in the top 10% of year group.
• Achievement in sports, music, or drama
  Certification of outstanding achievement.
• Social influence and communication skills
  Have held positions of responsibility, demonstrating confidence and leadership.
• Citizenship
  Tangible evidence of community service and involvement.
• English proficiency
  Able to converse fluently and write proficiently in English.
• Financial need
  Can demonstrate financial disdvantage within the scholarship eligibility threshhold.
• Potential to contribute fully to school life
  Keen to get involved in societies, clubs and other activities, and galvanise others.
• Intention to return home to a leadership role
  Ambitious to change policies and processes in home country, and contribute to its development.
• Changemaker qualities
  Can demonstrate the capacity to seek change and to lead, inspire, and take others with them.

Financial requirements

• Income limit
  Gross Household Income (GHI) should be below US$80k per annum.
• Fee contribution
  Parents/sponsors must contribute one-third of tuition fees (and boarding fees, if applicable).
• Education Fund
  A bank account must be set up with a minimum balance of the 1/3 parental share of fees for the first year.

Pre-payment: Subsequent years require pre-payment of the 1/3 parental share of fees from the Education Fund to the Beacon Partner School before the Closing Date for Scholarship Continuation Applications.

Timeline

1. Registration
   Candidates register on The Beacon Changemakers website and download a Nomination Form.
2. Nomination
   School Heads submit Nomination Forms for eligible candidates.
3. Application
   Suitable and eligible candidates receive an Application Form.
4. First Shortlist
   Beacon reviews applications and shortlists candidates for interview and assessment. Parents are advised to register with first choice school.
5. Interviews and Assessments
   Shortlisted candidates assessed by Beacon with individual interview and group assessment.
6. Final Shortlist
   Beacon compiles final shortlist of candidates.
7. Financial Disclosure
   Parents/sponsors of candidates on the final shortlist are sent financial disclosure forms for completion.
8. Partner School Assessment
   Final shortlisted candidates advised to visit and register with selected Partner School to be assessed.
9. Recommendation
   Once Financial Disclosure is completed, Beacon recommends candidates to School Partners.
10. Award
    Award Letter sent to candidates and their parents/sponsors.
11. Acceptance
    Award Acceptance Form completed by scholars and their parents/sponsors.
12. Fee Deposit
    Scholars pay fee deposit to Beacon Partner Schools.
13. Mentorship
    School Mentors assigned to Beacon Scholars by Schools.

Indicative Process Timeline – Schools Scholarship

Please note
Up to six new scholarships are available each academic year.
Nominations and Applications received after the Closing Date will be considered for the next academic year.
Check for available places at Beacon Partner Schools before applying.

Register to Access Nomination Form

NOMINATIONS AND APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR 2025 entry.