Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Each year, the MasterCard Foundation Scholarship offers talented students throughout Africa the chance to pursue their academic aspirations. Specifically targeting individuals from underprivileged backgrounds with exceptional abilities, this initiative aims to overcome financial barriers that could hinder their dreams.

Recognizing education as a catalyst for socio-economic change, the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship seeks to empower Africa’s youth, transforming them into leaders who can drive the continent’s much-needed development and contribute to the betterment of their local communities.

Aligned with this vision, the program provides comprehensive support—financial, social, and academic—to these scholars. The financial assistance encompasses tuition fees, accommodation, books, and additional resources, with potential additional perks for the aspiring scholars. The eligible fields of study covered by the program may vary from one institution to another.

Full List of Mastercard Foundation Scholarships

The Mastercard Foundation Scholarship programme has partner Universities and Institutions. The programme is categorized into Secondary Education, Undergraduate Studies and Master’s Studies.

Secondary Education

• Camfed International – also known as the Campaign For Female Education (CAMFED), is a global non-profit organization dedicated to addressing poverty and the significant disparity in the education of girls in Africa.
• Equity Group Foundation – on the other hand, is committed to leading the way in the social and economic transformation of African youth.

Undergraduate Studies

• African Leadership Academy – An institution dedicated to developing the current generation of young people into leaders who will have a significant impact on the continent.
• The American University of Beirut – The Faculty of Health Sciences at this institution collaborates with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program to develop youth into agents of change in their own communities and nations.
• Ashesi University College – The Mastercard Foundation program aims to develop young Africans from underprivileged communities into leaders with the appropriate mindsets through this initiative.
• Kwame Nkrumah University Of Science And Technology (KNUST) – Advancing technology in Africa.
• Science Po – Situated in Paris, France, it ranks high in science and humanities research.
• The University of Abomey-Calavi – The oldest and largest public University in Benin. It has turned out elite scholars of Beninese origin.
• The University of Cape Town – Through the Mastercard Scholarship program, it produces leaders who innovate in a variety of fields.
• University of Edinburgh – Its vision is to ensure knowledge is created, disseminated and properly administered.
• University of Gondar
• University of Pretoria
• Wellesley College

Masters Studies

• African Institute For Mathematical Sciences (AIMS)
• The American University of Beirut.
• Arizona State University.
• The Carnegie Mellon University of Africa.
• McGill University.
• Sciences Po.
• The University of British Columbia.
• The University of Cape Town.
• The University of Edinburgh.
• The University of Gondar.
• The University of Pretoria.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Individuals applying for undergraduate (bachelor’s) degrees must be 29 years old or under at the time of application.
2. Those applying for graduate (Master’s) degrees must be 35 years old or under at the time of application.
3. Each institution has its unique eligibility criteria. It is recommended to research the specific criteria of the institution you wish to apply to.
4. While there is no limit to the number of institutions one can apply to, the application process itself can be challenging.
5. Taking recommended tests a few months before initiating the application process is crucial. Tests may include SAT, TOEFL, or IELTS, depending on the institution’s requirements.
6. Some institutions may require a reference letter. Seeking assistance from a community leader, teacher, or known religious leader can be beneficial in this regard.

Becoming A Mastercard Foundation Scholar

This program recognizes scholars who embody excellence in academics, leadership, and a commitment to community improvement. To qualify, you should excel academically, exhibit strong leadership qualities, and showcase a passion for making a positive impact on those around you.

The application and selection process is overseen by the Foundation’s partner institutions and non-governmental organizations. For all inquiries and application details, kindly refer to the specific institution of your choice.

Benefits/Value of Scholarship

1. The scholarship programme provides an avenue for the financially disadvantaged, but highly intelligent students to pursue their academic goals.
2. Highly sought after skillsets can be acquired in this programme, in areas such as IT and Communications, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, and Critical thinking.
3. With this programme, beneficiaries are able to give back to society through works of charity, community services and volunteer jobs.
4. The programme affords graduates and undergraduates alike to interact, network, and consult on various forums, seminars and workshops to help each other realize their individual aspirations.
5. The programme offers the beneficiaries ample opportunity to interact with mentors, life coaches and leadership experts.
6. Scholars achieve a smooth transition from secondary to tertiary institutions.

The MasterCard Foundation has pledged $500 million to support the education of 15,000 African Scholars at the secondary, undergraduate, and Masters levels. These scholars are dedicated to making a positive impact in their communities and actively contributing to the social development and economic growth of their home countries. The scholarships offer opportunities to study in the USA, Canada, Germany, and other regions across the globe.

Deadline

Open

You must be from one of the following countries:

Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of the, Congo, Republic of the, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Sudan

Watch How to Apply to Win the MasterCard Foundation Scholarship Below