Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Full scholarships for academically talented yet economically disadvantaged young Africans.

Scholarship overview

This guide brings together the key information currently available for Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. The programme is administered by Mastercard Foundation and supports study in Various (partner universities worldwide).

Funding and benefits

The recorded funding type is full . Funding packages can change between application rounds, so applicants should confirm tuition, living allowance, travel, insurance, research, and family support directly on the official programme page.

Who can apply

Eligible nationalities or regions: All African countries

Study level: undergraduate

Fields of study: All fields

Study destination: Various (partner universities worldwide)

Nationality is only one part of eligibility. Many programmes also consider residence, academic results, work experience, leadership, language ability, admission status, or a nomination from an eligible institution.

Documents to prepare

Requirements differ by programme and application round. Applicants commonly need academic transcripts or certificates, proof of identity, a curriculum vitae, references, a personal statement or study plan, and evidence of language proficiency. Treat this as a preparation checklist only and follow the official document list for the current round.

How to apply

Read the current eligibility and funding rules on the official scholarship website.

Confirm the deadline, currently recorded as 2026-11-30 .

Check whether a university application, national nomination, or separate scholarship form is required.

Prepare the exact documents requested for the current round.

Submit through the official application system and keep confirmation of submission.

Official resources

Visit the official Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application page .

Important verification note

Scholarship rules and dates can change. Always treat the official provider as the final authority, and never pay an unofficial person or website to guarantee selection.

How to judge whether this scholarship fits you

Begin by comparing every published condition with your own record, not with a friend's experience or an old social media post. For Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, pay particular attention to the stated nationality or residence group of All African countries, the undergraduate study level, and the approved study destination of Various (partner universities worldwide). Check whether the rules refer to citizenship, current residence, permanent residence, or the country where your previous degree was completed, because these are not always interchangeable. You should also confirm minimum grades, graduation dates, age limits, work experience, language tests, admission requirements, and any return-home condition. If one condition is unclear, use the official contact channel before investing time or money in documents.

Building a competitive application

Eligibility only determines whether an application can be considered. Selection is usually comparative, so a strong submission should show why your preparation, proposed study, and future plans fit the purpose of Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. Read the provider's objectives and identify the outcomes it values, such as academic excellence, leadership, public service, research impact, professional development, or contribution to a community. Then choose evidence from your education, employment, volunteering, projects, or personal responsibilities that demonstrates those qualities. Use specific examples with a clear situation, action, and result. Avoid copying generic statements about passion or financial need. Reviewers should be able to see what you have already done, what the proposed programme will help you learn, and how you intend to use that learning after graduation.

Writing the personal statement or study plan

A persuasive statement connects your past experience to a realistic next step. Explain why your chosen field, currently recorded as All fields, matters to the problem you want to address. Show that you understand the course, institution, or research environment rather than praising it in general terms. If the scholarship asks several essay questions, answer each question directly and avoid repeating the same story. Keep claims factual and support them with evidence. A useful editing method is to ask whether every paragraph adds new information about your preparation, judgement, character, or proposed impact. Leave time for revision, and ask a trusted reader to check clarity without replacing your voice.

References and supporting evidence

Choose referees who know your recent academic or professional work and can discuss it with examples. A senior title is less valuable than direct knowledge of your abilities. Contact referees early, share the official criteria, explain your study plan, and give them the exact submission deadline. Confirm whether the referee must upload a letter, complete an online form, or send the reference from an institutional email address. Your curriculum vitae, essays, transcript, and references should tell a consistent story. Dates, job titles, grades, awards, and project descriptions must agree across documents. If a document is unavailable, translated, provisional, or issued under a different name, follow the provider's instructions instead of uploading an unexplained substitute.

Planning the funding and practical costs

The funding category recorded for this opportunity is full, but applicants should still create a complete budget. Check whether the award covers full tuition or a fixed contribution, and whether payments are made to the institution or to the scholar. Look for information about accommodation, living allowance, flights, visa charges, health insurance, research costs, dependants, and arrival expenses. Currency changes and local housing costs can affect the real value of an award. Do not assume that every cost described as eligible will be paid automatically. Where a programme offers partial support, identify a realistic source for the remaining amount before accepting an offer.

Application timeline and final checks

Work backwards from the recorded deadline of 2026-11-30. Reserve the final days for technical problems rather than first drafts. A practical sequence is to confirm eligibility, shortlist courses, request transcripts, contact referees, draft essays, obtain language results, and complete the online form. Some scholarships require university admission before the funding application, while others use a combined process or require nomination by a university, ministry, employer, or national agency. Submit through the correct route for your country and programme. Before pressing submit, preview every page, open uploaded files, check that names and dates are accurate, and save a copy of the completed application and confirmation message.

After submission and possible interviews

Keep monitoring the email address and application portal you used. Scholarship providers may request corrections, additional evidence, an interview, or a response within a short period. Prepare for an interview by reviewing your application, the scholarship's mission, your proposed course, and the practical impact you described. Be ready to explain decisions, limitations, and alternative plans honestly. If you receive an offer, read all conditions before accepting, including academic performance requirements, reporting duties, travel dates, visa responsibilities, and obligations after study. If you are unsuccessful, retain your materials and seek specific feedback where available. A careful application can often be adapted for another suitable opportunity without being copied unchanged.

Related scholarships and planning resources

Compare this opportunity with other scholarship guides that may fit a similar study level, destination, or funding goal:

MTN Foundation Scholarship

Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan

Fulbright U.S. Student Program (Graduate Study/Research)

Use the Scholarship Finder to compare your profile with the current catalog. You can also explore programmes with the Course Finder , review your academic standing with the CGPA Calculator , and read current application advice in the NGScholars article library .