5. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Full funding · For African students at partner universities · Undergraduate & Master’s
This is one of the largest scholarship initiatives in the world by funding volume, part of a broader Mastercard Foundation commitment exceeding $1.7 billion, aimed at academically talented young Africans who face financial barriers to higher education. Rather than a single centralized scholarship, it operates through more than 60 partner institutions worldwide, several of them in the United States, each running its own admissions and selection process.
Who it’s for
- Citizens of, and residents in, an eligible African country
- Applicants generally 35 years or younger at the time of application (extended to 32 for the dedicated Refugee category at some partner institutions)
- Students who can demonstrate financial constraints that have limited or prevented their educational opportunities
- Candidates with an exceptional record of service, leadership, and activity in their school or community
The program particularly encourages applications from women, people with disabilities, and refugees or displaced persons, and some partner institutions maintain dedicated tracks for these groups.
What it covers
Tuition, accommodation, books, transportation, mentoring, leadership development, psychosocial support, career services, and return airfare. Coverage extends well beyond the classroom, with the program explicitly framing itself as more than a scholarship.
How selection works
Because each partner university manages its own admissions and selection, requirements, deadlines, and available degree levels differ meaningfully from one institution to the next. Meeting a university’s minimum graduate admissions requirements does not by itself guarantee eligibility for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program there, both admission and program eligibility are assessed separately.
How to apply
- Review the list of current partner universities and identify which ones offer your intended field and degree level
- Read that specific institution’s eligibility page carefully, since requirements vary by school
- Apply directly through the partner university’s own admissions and scholarship process, not through a single central Mastercard Foundation form
- You can apply to multiple partner institutions at the same time, with each application assessed independently