For Kenyan students planning to study nursing in Canada, scholarships can help reduce the cost of tuition and other educational expenses.
However, it is important to understand that fully funded undergraduate nursing scholarships for international students are relatively limited. Many Canadian nursing scholarships are available only after you have been admitted or have already started your program.
The good news is that some Canadian universities offer awards specifically to international nursing students, while other entrance scholarships are open to international students based on academic performance.
This guide explains some of the opportunities Kenyan students should investigate in 2026.
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Can Kenyan Students Get Nursing Scholarships in Canada?
Yes.
Kenyan students can be eligible for certain scholarships and awards offered by Canadian universities and nursing faculties.
Eligibility varies considerably. Some awards are available to international students, while others are restricted to Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Therefore, never assume that a scholarship is available to you simply because it is advertised as a “nursing scholarship.”
Always check the eligibility requirements.
1. University of Manitoba Nursing Scholarships
The University of Manitoba provides several awards for nursing students.
One particularly relevant opportunity is the Nursing Students’ Association Scholarships (International).
According to the University of Manitoba, the award is available to:
- International students
- Students enrolled full-time in the Bachelor of Nursing program
- Students with a minimum cumulative Degree GPA of 3.0
The university currently lists four awards valued at CAD $1,500 each, with an annual application deadline of May 31.
This is particularly useful for Kenyan students because the award specifically identifies international students as eligible.
Another Manitoba Nursing Scholarship
The University of Manitoba also lists the Thomas and Helen Smerchanski Nursing Scholarship.
It is valued at CAD $1,000 and is available to eligible third- or fourth-year Bachelor of Nursing students with a minimum DGPA of 3.0.
The university’s awards database identifies the scholarship as open to international students.
These examples show why students should continue searching for scholarships after arriving in Canada rather than focusing only on entrance scholarships.
2. University of Alberta Nursing Scholarships
The University of Alberta has a substantial collection of nursing awards.
Its Faculty of Nursing lists continuing awards and other scholarships for students enrolled in nursing programs. The university also maintains awards specifically designated for international students.
One example is the Dr D Lynn Skillen Scholarship for International Nursing.
It is available to eligible students in the BSc Nursing program and considers superior academic achievement as well as participation in an international clinical placement, international scholarly event or international volunteer opportunity with an NGO.
The University of Alberta also has other nursing awards based on academic performance, leadership, financial need and other criteria.
Because individual awards have different requirements, Kenyan students should review the university’s current nursing scholarship database rather than assuming every nursing award is available to international students.
3. University of Alberta International Transfer Scholarships
Kenyan students who already have post-secondary education may have another option at the University of Alberta.
The university offers International Transfer Scholarships for students entering eligible undergraduate programs after previous post-secondary studies.
The university states that applicants can be entering an after-degree program such as Nursing, and selection may consider academic performance and leadership, among other criteria.
This can be particularly relevant if you already have a diploma or degree and are applying for an eligible nursing pathway.
Applications for these scholarships open February 1 and close March 31 according to the current University of Alberta information.
4. Carleton University BScN Entrance Scholarship
Carleton University offers an entrance scholarship specifically connected to its Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
The scholarship is available to eligible international students entering directly from high school and paying international student fees.
The current scholarship structure is based on the admission average:
| Admission average | Maximum value |
|---|---|
| 95–100% | CAD $12,000 |
| 90–94.9% | CAD $8,000 |
| 85–89.9% | CAD $4,000 |
The scholarship can be renewable over the specified period if the student continues to meet the requirements.
This makes academic performance extremely important for Kenyan students applying directly from secondary school.
Students should check how their Kenyan qualifications are assessed and whether they meet the university’s specific admission and scholarship requirements.
5. Government of Canada Scholarships
The Government of Canada also offers scholarship programs for international students through Global Affairs Canada and EduCanada.
However, Kenyan students should understand an important distinction.
The Study in Canada Scholarships program is primarily designed for short-term exchanges and study/research opportunities, rather than funding a complete four-year undergraduate nursing degree.
For the 2026–27 cycle, participating Canadian institutions applied on behalf of eligible international students. The program can provide support such as airfare, living expenses, health insurance and permit-related expenses depending on the scholarship.
International students generally cannot create an individual application for these scholarships themselves; Canadian host institutions apply on behalf of eligible candidates.
Therefore, if you are a Kenyan student looking for a full undergraduate nursing degree in Canada, do not assume that the Study in Canada Scholarships program will pay for your entire degree.
6. University Entrance Scholarships
You should also investigate general international entrance scholarships.
Some universities award scholarships based on:
- High school grades
- Admission average
- Leadership
- Community involvement
- Extracurricular activities
- Academic achievements
These awards may not be called “nursing scholarships,” but they can still reduce the cost of a nursing degree.
This is why your scholarship search should include both:
Nursing-specific scholarships + international entrance scholarships.
7. Graduate Nursing Scholarships
Kenyan nurses who already hold a nursing degree may have additional opportunities if they want to pursue a master’s or doctoral program in Canada.
For example, the University of Alberta currently lists the Alice R Thomas & Bryan Campbell-Hope International Graduate Scholarship in Nursing.
The award is currently listed at CAD $3,900 and is open to eligible international students in master’s and doctoral nursing programs. Selection requires superior academic standing, equivalent to a GPA of at least 3.5 on the University of Alberta’s grading scale.
The scholarship is nomination-based, so applicants should discuss the process with their department.
Graduate-level nursing students may therefore have access to opportunities that are not available to undergraduate applicants.
Are Canadian Nurses Foundation Scholarships Available to Kenyan Students?
Students should be careful when researching Canadian Nurses Foundation scholarships.
The Canadian Nurses Foundation currently offers hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships and bursaries to nurses and nursing students across Canada.
However, eligibility differs between individual awards.
A Kenyan student should therefore read the eligibility requirements for each award rather than assuming that all Canadian Nurses Foundation scholarships are available to international students.
How Much Can a Nursing Scholarship Cover?
Scholarships vary considerably.
Some may provide:
- CAD $1,000
- CAD $1,500
- CAD $3,000+
- CAD $4,000+
- Larger renewable awards
A scholarship does not necessarily cover your complete tuition.
For example, a CAD $1,500 scholarship would reduce your education expenses, but you would still need to pay the remaining tuition and living costs.
For this reason, students should think of scholarships as financial assistance, unless the scholarship explicitly states that it is fully funded.
What Documents Do You Need?
Depending on the scholarship, Kenyan students may be asked for:
- Academic transcripts
- KCSE results
- Admission information
- University application details
- Personal statement
- Scholarship essay
- Curriculum vitae
- Letters of recommendation
- Proof of leadership or community involvement
- Evidence of financial need
- Reference letters
Graduate scholarships may also require research proposals or evidence of previous academic work.
Prepare these documents early.
How to Improve Your Chances of Winning a Scholarship
Maintain Strong Grades
Academic performance is one of the most common scholarship criteria.
If you are still completing secondary school, work toward strong KCSE results, particularly in subjects relevant to your intended nursing program.
Build Leadership Experience
Some scholarships consider leadership and community involvement.
Activities such as volunteering, student leadership and community service can strengthen your profile.
Prepare a Strong Personal Statement
Explain:
- Why you want to study nursing
- Why you want to study in Canada
- Your career goals
- Your academic achievements
- Your community involvement
- How the scholarship would support your education
Avoid simply repeating information from your CV.
Apply Early
Scholarship deadlines can be earlier than expected.
Create a calendar showing:
- Admission deadline
- Scholarship deadline
- Document deadline
- Reference deadline
- Application deadline
Apply for Multiple Awards
Do not depend on one scholarship.
A stronger strategy is to apply for several awards for which you genuinely qualify.
Do Scholarships Eliminate the Need for Proof of Funds?
Not necessarily.
If you receive a scholarship, keep official documentation showing:
- Scholarship name
- Amount
- Duration
- Conditions
- Institution providing the scholarship
IRCC requires study-permit applicants to demonstrate sufficient financial resources for tuition, living expenses and transportation. For programs longer than one year, applicants must also explain how they plan to finance the full duration of their studies. A scholarship covering part of your education can form part of your financial plan, but it does not automatically eliminate the need to demonstrate sufficient funds.
Can Kenyan Students Get Fully Funded Nursing Scholarships in Canada?
Fully funded scholarships for an entire undergraduate nursing degree are not common.
Most opportunities available to international nursing students are partial awards, entrance scholarships or continuing-student scholarships.
A realistic financial strategy is therefore to combine:
Scholarship + personal/family funds + other legitimate financial support.
Do not build your Canadian study plan around the assumption that you will receive a full scholarship.
Scholarship Mistakes Kenyan Students Should Avoid
Avoid these common mistakes:
Applying for Canadian-only scholarships
Some nursing awards are restricted to Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Assuming every international scholarship is fully funded
Read exactly what the award covers.
Missing deadlines
Scholarship deadlines may be separate from admission deadlines.
Paying an agent for a guaranteed scholarship
No legitimate consultant can guarantee that a university will award you a scholarship.
Using false documents
Academic transcripts, recommendation letters and financial documents must be genuine.
Waiting until arrival in Canada
Some scholarships are available before admission, while others become available after you begin your program. Research both categories.
Scholarship Checklist for Kenyan Nursing Students
Before applying, prepare:
- KCSE certificate/results
- Academic transcripts
- Passport
- Nursing program application
- Personal statement
- Scholarship essay
- CV
- Recommendation letters
- Leadership/community evidence
- Financial information if required
- Proof of admission where required
- Scholarship deadline calendar
Final Thoughts
There are scholarship opportunities for Kenyan students who want to study nursing in Canada, but they require careful research.
The University of Manitoba, for example, currently lists international nursing scholarships worth CAD $1,500, while the University of Alberta offers nursing awards and international-student funding opportunities. Carleton University also has a BScN entrance scholarship that can provide up to CAD $12,000 over the stated award period for eligible high-achieving students.
Government of Canada programs such as Study in Canada Scholarships can also support eligible international students, but these are generally designed for short-term exchange opportunities rather than funding a complete undergraduate nursing degree.
The best approach is to research scholarships at the same time as you research nursing programs.
Look beyond the words “nursing scholarship.” Search for international entrance awards, faculty awards, continuing-student scholarships and graduate scholarships if you already have a nursing degree.
Most importantly, create a realistic financial plan that does not depend entirely on winning a scholarship.
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