The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program was established to help academically inclined Africans who are struggling financially to pursue secondary, undergraduate, and postgraduate courses at top universities worldwide. Since its inception in 2012, the initiative has sponsored over 45,000 scholars throughout Africa.
About the Scholarship
The Scholars Program is supported by the Mastercard Foundation, one of Canada’s most impactful charitable trusts, and works with institutions across Africa and around the world to promote inclusive education, leadership development, and positive economic transformation on the continent.
Eligibility Requirements for Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
- Applicants must be African youth from one of the participating nations (such as Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and many more).
- Eligibility criteria differs based on partner insitution but generally applicants should have excellent academic merit, financial help, leadership qualities, and being among the first in your family to attend university.
- Age and other qualification requirements vary; applicants should always examine the university’s standards.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Benefits
- Depending on the university, general financial coverage includes tuition, accommodation and board, living stipend, travel, and academic materials.
- Access to Mentorship, leadership training, job development, entrepreneurship programs, and structured “give-back” community projects provide holistic support.
How to Apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Application to this program is systematic, following the partner university step by step. Although the general application method include
- Apply academically to your partner university (e.g., UCT, McGill, Cambridge, KNUST).
- Submit a separate Scholars Program application, which may contain essays, leadership statements, financial need verification, and perhaps an info session or price waiver request.
What is the Application Time?
Applications often take place within defined windows depending on the university:
- Cambridge: begins early September, with deadlines in December or January
- Edinburgh: begins October 1, with interviews and choices through March
- McGill: info sessions in July; applications open early August, close end of August; final decisions around February–March
- KNUST (Ghana): The deadline is May 30, 2026, for that cycle
Key Dates and Deadlines
Dates are institution-specific—examples from recent cycles include:
- Cambridge: Apply starting September 1, 2026; funding deadlines in December 2026 or January 2027; decisions in March 2027.
- Edinburgh: Applications accepted October 1-31, 2026; starting September 2026.
- McGill University offers information sessions in July, whereas UCT (South Africa) has an annual Scholars Program application window from July to September. Applications close on August 31, 2026, with results made by mid-February.
- KNUST (Ghana): The deadline for undergraduate applicants is May 30, 2026 (mcf.knust.edu.gh).
Check your university’s official website for the most up-to-date timelines.
Conclusion
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a game-changing opportunity for African scholars pursuing study abroad or inside Africa, with strong financial, academic, and leadership support. With the potential to shift entire communities in a good direction, diligently preparing and applying to this program could be your ticket to significant impact.
