Open University of Kenya
Chancellor’s Education Fund
Sustainable financial support for academically qualified, vulnerable students at the Open University of Kenya, so that where a learner starts never decides how far they can go.
About the Fund
Removing economic barriers to higher education
The Chancellor's Education Fund at the Open University of Kenya (OUK) is a transformative initiative aimed at promoting equitable access to higher education by addressing financial barriers that may prevent academically qualified students from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds from enrolling in, continuing, or completing their studies. The Fund aligns with OUK's mission of providing affordable, flexible, inclusive, and quality higher education and reflects the University's core values of excellence, inclusivity, innovation, integrity, and accountability.
Equitable access
Remove the financial barriers that keep academically qualified learners out of higher education.
Retention
Help learners from vulnerable backgrounds continue and complete their studies.
A lasting endowment
Grow progressively into a sustainable endowment fund of the University.
Who the Fund supports
Learners who are qualified, but held back
Tuition bursaries for learners in Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor's degree programmes at OUK, prioritising:
- 01
First-generation and vulnerable learners
- 02
Students with demonstrated financial need
- 03
Learners from low socio-economic backgrounds
- 04
Marginalised and minority communities
- 05
Learners from conflict-affected areas
- 06
Learners from orphaned backgrounds
Where donors give learning equipment, assistive devices or internet connectivity, applicants may also apply for these. The two requests are treated separately.
How it works
A transparent, competitive and merit-based process
- 01
Call for applications
Published once a year and open for at least 21 days.
- 02
Apply online
Through the Fund's online portal, with certificates, fee statement and references.
- 03
Screening and scoring
Checked by the Secretariat, then scored by the Board on a 100-point tool.
- 04
Award
Paid straight into the learner's OUK tuition fees account.
Implementation timeline
From Council approval to the first cohort
First call for applications by 15 January 2027, for students joining OUK in April 2027.
- By 30 October 2026
Approval of the Chancellor's Fund instruments by Council
Vice-Chancellor
- By 15 November 2026
Approval of the Chancellor's Kitty account opening and transfer of funds to the Chancellor's Kitty
Finance Officer
- By 15 November 2026
Appointment of the Chancellor's Fund Board
Vice-Chancellor
- By 30 November 2026
Launch of the Chancellor's Fund
Vice-Chancellor
- By 15 January 2027
Develop a call for applications and selection criteria tools
Fund Board
- By 30 January 2027
Call for applications for the first cohort of beneficiary learners
Fund Board
- By 30 April 2027
First cohort of beneficiaries launched
Vice-Chancellor / Fund Board
Governance
Accountable at every step
The Fund is governed by the Chancellor’s Education Fund Board, under the oversight of the Vice-Chancellor, with financial oversight by the University Council, in line with the Universities Act, 2012 and the Public Finance Management Act, 2012.
Help a learner stay in university
Individuals, organisations, development partners, alumni and corporates can all contribute to the Fund.