What if your biggest financial barrier to university — tuition, housing, books, flights — was completely eliminated? That is exactly what the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program does for thousands of talented young Africans every single year. Since August 2012, this global initiative has committed over 58,000 scholarships and disbursed $6.5 billion USD toward education and transitions programs in Africa — making it one of the most powerful and impactful scholarship programs on the planet. If you are a driven young African with a desire to lead, give back, and change your community, this guide from Gradualin is everything you need to know.
🎓 Quick Summary Table
| Detail | Information |
| Program Name | Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program |
| Founded | August 2012 |
| Status | Active — Ongoing |
| Funder | Mastercard Foundation |
| Open To | Young Africans from underrepresented backgrounds |
| Degree Levels | Secondary, Undergraduate, Master’s |
| Funding Type | Fully Funded (tuition, accommodation, books, travel & more) |
| Number of Scholarships | 58,000+ committed; target of 100,000 by 2030 |
| Application Method | Through partner universities and NGOs directly |
| Official Website | mastercardfdn.org |
🎓 About the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a global initiative designed to develop the next generation of transformative leaders by enabling highly talented, service-oriented young people to pursue higher education and cultivate their leadership potential.
The Mastercard Foundation itself is one of the largest private foundations in the world, headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with offices across Africa. Its mission is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: education is the most reliable catalyst for social and economic change. The Scholars Program is the flagship expression of that belief.
The program works with education institutions, NGOs, and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni communities to create the conditions that will enable young people to attain inclusive and relevant education, transition smoothly into dignified and fulfilling work, and lead transformative lives.
What makes this different from most scholarship programs is the holistic model. This is not just money handed over and forgotten. Scholars receive mentoring, psychosocial support, leadership development, career transition assistance, and access to a growing global alumni network — long after graduation.
🎓 Scholarship Benefits — What Does It Actually Cover?
This is a fully funded scholarship in the most complete sense of the phrase. Here is what Mastercard Foundation Scholars receive:
- ✅ Full tuition fees — 100% covered at the partner institution
- ✅ Accommodation / housing — covered for the duration of studies
- ✅ Books and academic materials — all study materials provided
- ✅ Living stipend — for daily personal expenses
- ✅ Health insurance — medical coverage during studies
- ✅ Return air ticket — to the Scholar’s home country if studying abroad
- ✅ Mentoring and counselling — dedicated psychosocial and career support
- ✅ Leadership development training — workshops, summits, and programs
- ✅ Access to the Alumni Network — a lifelong community of African changemakers
- ✅ Application fees reimbursed — if the institution charges an admission fee and you are selected, it is refunded
The total monetary value of this package varies by institution and country, but when you factor in tuition, housing, travel, and stipends together at a top international university, this scholarship can be worth $30,000–$80,000+ USD per year depending on the partner school. It is one of the most generous youth-focused programs in the world.
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides scholarships at the secondary, undergraduate, and master’s levels. However, scholarships are not currently available to PhD candidates.
General eligibility requirements across most partner institutions:
- ✅ Must be African (citizen of an African country) or from an underrepresented background as defined by the partner institution
- ✅ Must demonstrate strong academic performance — high grades and intellectual promise
- ✅ Must show financial need — the program specifically targets students who would not otherwise be able to afford higher education
- ✅ Must demonstrate a commitment to giving back to their community and Africa more broadly
- ✅ Must be applying to a partner university or NGO in the Mastercard Foundation network
- ✅ Applying for secondary, undergraduate, or master’s level programs
- ✅ Women are strongly prioritized — 71% of Mastercard Foundation Scholars are young women, reflecting the program’s deep commitment to gender equity
- ✅ Students with disabilities are actively included and supported
- ✅ Refugees and displaced persons are also eligible through specific partner programs
On English proficiency: Requirements vary by partner institution. Some partners — particularly those based in Africa — do not require SAT or TOEFL scores, making the program more accessible to applicants who may not have had the resources to sit those exams. Always verify the specific language requirements with your chosen partner institution (verify on official website).
🎓 Who Should Apply (And Who Should Not)
✅ Apply if you:
- Are a young African from a disadvantaged or low-income background with strong academic results
- Have a clear vision of how your education will benefit your community or country
- Are applying to study at the secondary, undergraduate, or master’s level
- Are a young woman — the program actively prioritizes female scholars
- Are a refugee, displaced person, or person with a disability seeking access to higher education
- Want more than just a scholarship — you want mentorship, leadership training, and a global network
❌ Don’t apply if you:
- Are seeking funding for a PhD or doctoral program — this is not currently covered
- Are not African and not affiliated with a partner institution’s underrepresented community focus
- Expect to apply directly to the Mastercard Foundation — all applications go through partner institutions only
- Have seen Facebook ads or social media posts asking for money to apply — those are scams (see the fraud warning below)
🎓 Partner Universities and Institutions
Partner institutions are primarily in Africa, but the Mastercard Foundation also has partners in North and Central America, Europe, and the Middle East. The program currently works with 62 global partners across more than 30 countries.
Partner regions include:
- 🌍 Africa (primary): Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Malawi, and many more
- 🌎 North & Central America: USA, Canada, Costa Rica
- 🌍 Europe: United Kingdom, France
- 🌍 Middle East: Lebanon
Partner types include universities offering undergraduate and master’s programs, NGOs serving young people in secondary education, and agricultural and technical institutions across Africa.
Each partner institution has its own application process, deadlines, and admission fees. The Mastercard Foundation recommends reading through the application guidelines or contacting the institution of your choice for more information.
👉 Find the full, searchable list of partner institutions at: mastercardfdn.org — Where to Apply
🎓 Required Documents
While requirements vary by partner institution, most Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program applications will ask for:
- Completed admission application at the chosen partner university or NGO
- Official academic transcripts and certificates (secondary school or undergraduate)
- Proof of nationality / identity documents
- Personal statement or essay — detailing your background, leadership experience, and commitment to community impact
- Two to three letters of recommendation (from teachers, community leaders, or employers)
- Proof of financial need (family income documentation, sponsorship letters, or equivalent)
- English language proficiency proof if required by the specific partner institution
- For some North American partners: SAT/TOEFL scores (verify on official website)
Important: For schools that require application fees as part of the admissions process, those fees will be reimbursed if the student is selected for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
🎓 Step-by-Step Application Process
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program does not accept direct applications. Here is exactly how the process works:
- Visit the official “Where to Apply” page at mastercardfdn.org and browse the full list of partner institutions
- Choose your preferred partner university or NGO — consider the country, program of study, language of instruction, and application deadline
- Research that specific institution’s Scholars Program page — each partner has its own dedicated application portal and requirements
- Prepare your application documents — including transcripts, essays, references, and financial need documentation
- Submit your application directly to the partner institution — not to the Mastercard Foundation itself
- Await selection notification — the partner university manages its own selection process; the Mastercard Foundation is not involved in individual decisions
- If selected: you will be officially enrolled as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar and receive your full support package
- Join the Scholars community — gain access to mentoring, leadership programs, the Baobab Summit, and the Alumni Network
💡 Gradualin tip: Apply to multiple partner institutions if possible. There is no limit to the number of universities you can apply to, though each application requires genuine effort and attention. Cast your net widely and tailor each application to the specific institution’s values.
🎓 Important Dates & Deadlines
| Detail | Information |
| Program Status | Active — Ongoing since August 2012 |
| Application Deadlines | Vary by partner institution (check each university individually) |
| Annual Summit | Baobab Summit — held yearly (2025 edition: Nairobi, Kenya) |
Each partner in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program sets their own deadline. There is no single universal deadline for this program. This means you need to visit the page of your chosen institution and check their specific timelines — some open as early as October for the following academic year.
📌 Bookmark the official partner list page and check back regularly, as new institutions are added and application windows open throughout the year.
🎓 Fraud Warning — Read This Before You Apply
The Mastercard Foundation is aware of Facebook posts advertising recruitment for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and requesting an application fee. These groups are not associated with the Mastercard Foundation.
The Foundation does not solicit funding or request payments from individuals. If anyone contacts you claiming to represent the Mastercard Foundation and asks you to pay money to secure a scholarship slot, that is a scam. Report suspicious activity to local law enforcement and notify the Foundation directly at privacy@mastercardfdn.org.
The only legitimate way to apply is through the official partner institutions listed on the Mastercard Foundation’s own website.
🎓 Why This Program Matters — Beyond the Scholarship
Here is the best part: becoming a Mastercard Foundation Scholar is not just about surviving university. It is about joining a movement.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program has committed over 58,000 scholarships for young African leaders. By 2030, the program aims to double its impact by enabling 100,000 young people to access higher education. The alumni of this program are not sitting quietly after graduation. They are building prosthetics companies in Ghana, leading public health initiatives in South Sudan, founding tech startups across the continent, and driving policy change at the highest levels.
The annual Baobab Summit brings the entire Scholars and alumni community together in one place every year — a space to connect, co-create, compete in the Social Venture Challenge, and celebrate collective impact.
The Mastercard Foundation envisions a transformative network of young people and institutions driving inclusive and equitable socio-economic change in Africa. When you become a Scholar, you step into that network for life.
🎓 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I apply directly to the Mastercard Foundation for a scholarship? A: No. The Mastercard Foundation does not accept direct scholarship applications. All applications are submitted through partner universities and NGOs. Visit the official “Where to Apply” page to find your institution.
Q: Does the scholarship cover PhD programs? A: Not at this time. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides scholarships at the secondary, undergraduate, and master’s levels, but scholarships are not currently available to PhD candidates.
Q: Is IELTS or TOEFL required to apply? A: It depends entirely on the partner institution. Many African partner universities do not require English proficiency tests. North American universities typically require TOEFL and/or SAT scores as part of the application process for international candidates. Always check with your specific partner institution before applying.
Q: Can I apply to more than one partner institution? A: Yes. Candidates can apply to as many universities as they wish. However, it takes a great deal of effort to complete an application submission package, and application fees may also be required.
Q: Does getting accepted to a partner university guarantee a Mastercard Foundation scholarship? A: No. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is highly competitive. Gaining admission to a partner institution does not guarantee selection for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. Admission and scholarship selection are two separate processes.
Q: What happens if a partner university charges an application fee and I am not selected? A: Application fees are reimbursed only if the candidate is selected for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. If you are not selected, the application fee may not be returned. Factor this into your planning and prioritize applications strategically.
🎓 Official Source & Links
- 🌐 Program Homepage: mastercardfdn.org — Scholars Program
- 🏫 Where to Apply (Partner List): mastercardfdn.org — Where to Apply
- 📋 Application Tips Series: mastercardfdn.org — Application Tips
- 📖 Scholars Program Handbook: mastercardfdn.org — Handbook
- 🚨 Fraud Reports: privacy@mastercardfdn.org
- 📱 Instagram: @mastercardfoundation
🎓 Complete Summary Table
| Detail | Information |
| Program | Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program |
| Funder | Mastercard Foundation |
| Founded | August 2012 — Ongoing |
| Total Scholarships Committed | 58,000+ (targeting 100,000 by 2030) |
| Gender Focus | 71% female scholars |
| Degree Levels Covered | Secondary, Undergraduate, Master’s |
| PhD Covered? | No |
| What It Covers | Tuition, housing, books, stipend, health insurance, flights, mentoring |
| Partner Institutions | 62 global partners across Africa, Europe, Americas, Middle East |
| Application Method | Directly through partner institutions — not the Foundation |
| Deadlines | Vary by partner institution |
| IELTS Required? | Varies by institution — many African partners do not require it |
| Official Website | mastercardfdn.org |
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