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Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program: Full Funding for African Students

Unlike most scholarships on this list, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program was not designed as a general international award that Africans happen to qualify for. It was built specifically for African students, with a strong focus on economically disadvantaged and marginalized young people, and it operates through partner universities across the continent and abroad, including institutions in Canada, the United States, and beyond.

Because the program partners with universities in specific countries rather than running as one standalone application, it is worth knowing what the on the ground experience looks like at some of those partner destinations.

See what studying in a partner country like Canada involves →

What the Scholarship Actually Covers

A full Mastercard Foundation Scholarship typically covers tuition, accommodation, a living stipend, books, and travel, along with mentorship and leadership development programming that continues well beyond graduation. The program's philosophy centers on transformative leadership, meaning selection looks closely at your potential to contribute meaningfully to your community and continent, not just your grades.

Who Should Actually Apply

The program prioritizes academically talented young people who face significant financial or social barriers to higher education, including refugees, young people from rural or underserved communities, and those with a demonstrated history of community leadership despite limited resources. You apply directly through a specific partner university's own admissions and scholarship process rather than through one central portal.

Planning a Realistic Timeline

Since each partner university runs its own admission cycle and scholarship deadline, timelines vary considerably depending on where you are applying. Begin researching partner institutions and their specific application windows at least a year ahead of your intended start date.

If one of your target partner destinations is the United States, it is worth understanding that country's visa process in parallel with your scholarship application.

See the Fulbright program as another funded US route →

The Mistake That Costs People Their Spot

Applying to a partner university's general admissions process without clearly indicating scholarship interest through the correct internal channel, which varies by institution. Missing the specific scholarship application step within that university's process is a common and entirely avoidable way to lose eligibility.

If a directly comparable fully funded route through a single, centralized application appeals to you more, Chevening in the UK runs on exactly that kind of streamlined model.

Compare Chevening's centralized application model →

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