Are you feeling stuck right now? Do you look at your potential tuition bill and feel that familiar knot of stress tighten in your stomach?
That feeling sucks. We all know it.
But here’s the good news: there is so much money out there dedicated to helping you study. Most people only know about one or two types of scholarships.
In a few minutes, I’ll reveal an entire world of scholarships, from the ones for straight-A students to the hidden ones you can get for your unique talents, background, or even your hobbies.
By the time you’re done reading this piece, you’ll stop feeling overwhelmed and start seeing exactly which types of scholarships match your personal strengths. Mail me if you don’t
Anyway, let’s dive in.
The Main Types of Scholarships Explained
Think of scholarships in three big buckets: scholarships for what you do (your skills), who you are (your background), and where you’re headed (your career).
Bucket 1: Scholarships for “What You Do” (Merit-Based)
This is the main category, but it’s much bigger than just grades. Merit-based means you’ve earned it through a skill or achievement.
- Academic-Based Scholarships
This is the one everyone thinks of. These awards are for your brainpower. They look at your high GPA, your great test scores (like the KCSE or SATs), or your class rank. - Athletic Scholarships
Got skills on the field, court, or track? These scholarships are for talented athletes. Colleges use them to build strong sports teams. - Creative / Talent-Based Scholarships
Are you an artist, a musician, a dancer, or a great writer? These scholarships reward your creative talents. You’ll usually need to submit a portfolio, audition tape, or writing samples. - Leadership Scholarships
Were you a prefect, a club president, or did you organize a community project? These awards are for students who have proven they can lead and inspire others. A good example is the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders - Community Service-Based Scholarships,
This is for those who give back. If you have a passion for volunteering and have racked up hours helping your community, there is money set aside just for you. - Research Scholarships,
This is for the innovators. These scholarships support students who are already working on a specific research project, often in science or academia. - Innovation-Based Scholarships
Similar to research, these awards are for “big idea” people. If you’ve invented something, started a unique project, or have a brilliant solution to a problem, this is your zone.
Bucket 2: Scholarships for “Who You Are”
This bucket isn’t about what you’ve done—it’s about your personal story, your background, and your financial situation.
- Need-Based Scholarships
These scholarships are based on one thing: your family’s financial situation. They are designed to make education possible for students who can’t afford the high price tag. You will almost always need to provide proof of your family’s income. - Identity-Based & Diversity Scholarships,
These are a huge and important category. These funds are designed to create a more diverse student body and support students from specific backgrounds. This is a big one. - Scholarships for Underrepresented Groups / Minorities
This is a key part of identity scholarships. These awards are for students based on their racial or ethnic background, for first-generation students (the first in their family to go to college), or for students with disabilities. - Scholarships for International Students
This is a scholarship specifically for people who are not citizens of the country where they want to study. Universities and governments offer these to attract global talent and promote cultural exchange. This is a golden category for Kenyan students!
Bucket 3: Scholarships for “Where You’re Headed”
These scholarships are an investment in your future. They are given to you based on the specific path you’ve chosen.
- Scholarships by Major / Subject-Specific,
These are for students pursuing a specific field. There are thousands of scholarships just for students in STEM, nursing, education, engineering, or journalism. If you know what you want to study, this is a perfect place to look. - Employer Scholarships,
These come from companies. Sometimes they are for the children of employees. Other times, a company will pay for your education if you agree to work for them for a few years after you graduate. - Government Scholarships
These are big ones, funded by entire countries. Your own government, like the Government of Kenya (via HELB and KUCCPS), offers support. But foreign governments also offer them to international students, like the DAAD (Germany), Commonwealth Scholarships (UK), and the Fulbright Program (USA).
The Secret You Need to Know
Okay, you’ve seen the full list of the different types of scholarships. Now, here’s the secret.
Most people read that list and do one thing: they look at “Academic-Based Scholarships,” see the high GPA requirements, and give up.
This is a huge mistake.
Look at that list again. There are 16 other types of scholarships! You don’t need to be a straight-A student to win.
The end goal is to stop trying to get the scholarships for “the smartest kids” and start looking for the scholarships that fit your unique story.
You might be an average student (Academic) who is also a woman (Identity), wants to study engineering (Subject-Specific), and has a passion for volunteering (Community Service).
Boom. You just found four different types of scholarships to search for. Stop searching for “scholarships” and start searching for “women in STEM scholarships,” “community service scholarships for engineers,” or “scholarships for Kenyan students.”
Real Examples for You
Let’s tie this all together. When you start searching, you’ll see how these categories overlap in real-life awards.
- The Commonwealth Scholarship: This is a perfect example of a Government Scholarship (from the UK) for International Students (from Commonwealth countries like Kenya).
- WAAW Foundation Scholarship: This is an Identity-Based scholarship (for women of African origin) that is also Subject-Specific (for STEM fields).
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program: This is a Government Scholarship (from the U.S.) for International Students that is also partly Academic-Based (they want bright students).
- Equity Group Foundation (Wings to Fly): This is a Need-Based scholarship (for financially disadvantaged students) that is also Academic-Based (for high-performing KCPE students).
- DAAD Scholarships: This is a Government Scholarship (from Germany) for International Students that is often Subject-Specific (focused on postgraduate studies).
To see more examples of scholarships, feel free to browse our free database.
Get to Work
I hope you now see that “scholarships” isn’t just one scary box. It’s a huge building with many doors.
You don’t need to have the key to the “Academic” front door. You can get in through the “Community Service” side door, the “Creative Talent” back door, or the “International Student” window.
Your next step is to stop searching for general scholarships and start searching for awards that match your unique profile.
Now, get to work!