Kenyan parents and students are losing millions of shillings to scholarship fraudsters taking advantage of their desperate and helpless situations.
While scholarships offer life-changing opportunities, they also present challenges in terms of verifying the credibility of institutions, especially when a student wants to study abroad.
The case of the botched academic airlift program in Uasin Gishu County, a matter which is already in court, is a classic example of deflated dreams at the hands of scammers.
Consequently, The Kenya Times spoke to a higher education research expert on how to navigate the situation and avoid academic fraudsters using scholarships as a bait.
Credibility of Institution offering scholarship
According to Dr. Lucy Wakiaga, the first step is establishing whether the university you are applying to is legitimate. There are several ways one can do this, including contacting the necessary bodies involved in higher education programmes.
“There are so many universities, even those abroad that are not duly registered by their countries’ accrediting bodies. So, first check and make sure the university is accredited like we do so in Kenya by contacting Kenya’s Commission for University Education (CUE),” Dr. Wakiaga noted.
Also Read: Ruto Brings Back University Bridging Courses
According to the educationist, if an institution of higher learning is not under the watch of regulatory bodies in the country, then that should be a red flag to the applicant.
Details about the academic program
Different programs have different admission requirements. The applicant should therefore seek clarity to avoid surprises and last-minute charges. How does one get this information?
Dr Wakiaga advises students to contact the institution’s admission office and make inquiries about the programs they are interested in.
“Ask about the entry requirements, especially if you are a foreigner. For example, do they require English proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL)? What is the application fee? How is it paid? What is the fee/tuition and how is it paid? (Semesterly; annually?) What is the payment process for an international student?” the education expert explained.
What about accommodation?
One of the challenges with scholarships and studying abroad is always where to stay during your academic life. Dr. Wakiaga advises that as an interested party, the applicant needs to seek information on provision of accommodation, especially whether it is on-campus or off-campus for international students, and how long a student should occupy them. This will aid the student with sufficient information before onboarding the program.
“Some campuses only provide on-campus accommodation for first year students. In the second year, you must live off-campus and there are serious decisions to be made about that, especially the cost of finding an apartment. Will you share the apartment with another student?”
Consequently, information on rent and if the hostels are shared is necessary with regards to one’s safety while in a foreign country.
“What are the contract terms on the lease? Leases are usually unfriendly for foreign students. They tend to be more expensive for foreign students because they hedge for risk of property damage, especially cases where a student leaves without paying for the repairs. A question to ask yourself, “Will I get a crazy roommate?” Murders, drug indulgence, drinking, are common in such cases, Dr. Wakiaga cautions.
Fees
One should inquire about scholarships, so that you don’t get bamboozled when you go and have to pay fees for 6 months before you get scholarships. You must ensure you have the right information.
Moreover, the applicant needs to understand the institution’s policy on work-study since some candidates jump onto programs with the hope of sending money back home through part-time jobs.
“Many universities have restrictions on how many hours a student can work. Don’t imagine you will go there and study and work and send money back home,” the education research expert told The Kenya Times in an interview.
What is a scholarship?
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further their education, whether at elementary level, secondary or higher learning.
Also Read: Govt Announces Scholarships for Plumbers, Welders & Hairdressers
According to Scholarships World there are several types of scholarship fundings available for international students:
- Fully funded scholarships cover all tuition and living expenses for the duration of the program.
- Awards are scholarships that recognize academic or personal achievements and may provide a smaller amount of financial support.
- Partial scholarships cover a portion of tuition or living expenses, but not the full amount.
- Other types of scholarship funding may include need-based scholarships, merit-based scholarships, and scholarships based on specific fields of study.
In Kenya, the government is offering scholarships to college and university students through the Universities Fund.
Also Read Answers to 14 Frequently Asked Questions About New Govt University Scholarships
The government adopted a new funding model, with President William Ruto announcing a raft of reforms as his administration seeks to streamline the education sector.
Private entities in the country, including banks, foundations and organizations also offer scholarships to deserving students.
