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“Education is the only tool which
you can use to change the world”
The late former South African
leader Nelson Mandela was quot-
ed as saying. The statement over-
lays the importance that education
has in shaping the direction and
future of individuals.
According to research finding
released by research firm Ipsos
Synovate in late 2017.Five percent
of Kenyans lack formal education
out of 95% who have received for-
mal education 44% have a primary
education and below
The value of education cannot be
underestimated in the changing
new era of globalization that is in
need of individuals with profes-
sional skills. The importance of
education drew the attention of
the United Nations General as-
sembly that it was adopted to the
resolution in September 2015. Ed-
ucation has been included in the
Sustainable Development Goals by
the United Nations.
In the growing need to provide ed-
ucation to all, many institutions of
learning have sprouted in virtually
all corners over the world. The
distinguishing trait in all these in-
stitutions of learning is the quality
of education and the affordability
of the programs in the respective
institutions.
Too many people affording edu-
cation is a major issue of concern
because of poverty. Statistics from
UNICEF indicate that 42 percent
of the populations in Kenya live
below the poverty line. This means
that they cannot afford basic
human needs such as food and
education.
To help needy students quench
their need for education many
institutions have come up with fi-
nancial aid programs to help them
finance their education. All these
are all aimed to afford education.
USIU-AFRICA for instance has 6
categories of scholarships on offer
to needy students. The scholar-
ships are categorized into Grad-
uate Merit awards, work study
programs, External funded schol-
arships and grants, institutional
scholarships and government
student aids. The scholarships are
need based and education based.
For instance, the Work study
programme gives students the op-
portunity to work on campus and
attend classes at the same time.
At the end of the Semester the
student is given credit hours that
are translated to school fees. The
purpose of such financial pro-
grams is to ensure that students
are able to stay in school and pay
their school fees.
The need to finance college in
the United States is not any dif-
ferent as in Kenya .Because of
this notable institution such as
American University have also set
aside distinct financial aid offices
to deal with the growing need to
help needy students get Campus
education. The financial aid office
at American University estimates
that it spends $85M dollars on
scholarships to undergraduates
in the school. Upon admission all
students are eligible to financial
aid. By their time of admission
students are eligible to AU Pres-
idential scholarship, American
University dean’s scholarship,
American Leadership scholarship
and Frederick Douglas Scholar-
ship. In total all these financial aid
programs receive an average of
30,000$ (3Million).