If you’re an African student searching for a fully funded scholarship that covers tuition, housing, mentorship, and even flights home, you’ve almost certainly come across the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. It’s one of the most searched scholarships on the continent, and for good reason. The Foundation has committed over 58,000 scholarships since 2012, with 71% going to young women, and it’s targeting 100,000 scholarships by 2030.
Here’s what most guides get wrong, though. They treat the program like a single application. It isn’t. There is no central Mastercard Foundation application form. The Foundation funds 62 partner institutions worldwide, and each one runs its own admissions process, its own deadlines, and its own criteria. Choosing the right partner university, and applying to it correctly, is the single biggest factor in whether you get in.
This guide breaks down how the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program actually works in 2026: who qualifies, which universities participate, where to apply directly, what the scholarship covers, and how to build an application that stands out.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?
- What Does the Scholarship Cover?
- Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
- Partner Universities and Where to Apply Directly
- How to Apply, Step by Step
- Common Mistakes That Cost Applicants the Scholarship
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a fully funded global scholarship initiative for academically talented young people, primarily from Africa, who are committed to service and face financial barriers to higher education. It launched in 2012 and runs in partnership with universities, colleges, and NGOs across Africa, North America, Europe, and the Middle East.
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The program is built around three pillars of support:
- Financial support: tuition, accommodation, books, and materials
- Academic and career support: mentoring, internships, and career guidance
- Psychosocial support: counselling and wellbeing services, since many Scholars are studying far from home for the first time
Scholars also join an alumni network of more than 20,000 graduates working across Africa and beyond, which makes the program as much a leadership pipeline as a scholarship.
What Does the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Actually Cover?
Coverage varies slightly by partner institution, but a typical Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program package includes:
- Full tuition fees for the entire duration of your degree
- Accommodation and living expenses
- Books and academic materials
- Mentoring, leadership development, and counselling
- A return air ticket to your home country, if needed
- Reimbursement of application fees for institutions that charge them, if you’re selected
Some partner institutions also offer fee assistance for candidates who can’t afford application costs upfront, and there are dedicated support tracks for refugee applicants at select universities.
Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility criteria differ slightly by institution, but the general requirements across the program are:
- African citizenship (most Scholars are from Sub Saharan Africa, though some tracks include North Africa)
- Age 28 or younger at time of application, extended to 32 for applicants applying under the Refugee or Persons with Disabilities categories
- A strong academic record and demonstrated leadership potential
- Financial need, since the program prioritizes students who wouldn’t otherwise afford higher education
- A commitment to giving back: the Foundation strongly favors applicants who show clear intent to return to Africa and contribute to their communities after graduating
The program especially encourages applications from women, refugees and displaced persons, people with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. That said, male applicants without a marginalized status are also eligible and regularly admitted.
Scholarships are available at the secondary, undergraduate, and master’s level. PhD candidates are not currently eligible.
Mastercard Foundation Partner Universities: Where to Apply Directly
The Mastercard Foundation does not accept applications itself. You apply through a partner institution’s own admissions or scholarship portal. Start with the official hub, then go directly to your chosen university’s page.
Official Mastercard Foundation “Where to Apply” directory: https://mastercardfdn.org/en/what-we-do/our-programs/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program/where-to-apply/
Direct partner university application portals:
| University | Country | Application Portal |
|---|---|---|
| Ashesi University | Ghana | https://ashesi.edu.gh/the-mastercard-foundation-scholars-programme/ |
| Makerere University | Uganda | https://apply.mastercardfoundation.mak.ac.ug/scholarships |
| University of Toronto | Canada | https://internationalexperience.utoronto.ca/global-experiences/global-scholarships/mastercard-foundation-scholars |
| McGill University | Canada | https://www.mcgill.ca/mastercardfdn-scholars/ |
| University of Edinburgh | UK | https://global.ed.ac.uk/mastercard-foundation |
| UC Berkeley | USA | https://mcfscholarsprogram.berkeley.edu/ |
| Sciences Po | France | https://www.sciencespo.fr/students/en/fees-funding/bursaries-financial-aid/mastercard-foundation-scholarships/ |
| EARTH University | Costa Rica | https://www.earth.ac.cr/friends-allies/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program/ |
Other active partners include Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University of Cape Town, University of Pretoria, University of the Western Cape, Arizona State University, University of British Columbia, American University of Beirut, African Leadership University, Carnegie Mellon University Africa, United States International University Africa, University of Gondar, Pan Atlantic University, and University of Global Health Equity, among others.
These institutions don’t all publish one stable public URL for their Mastercard Foundation page. The safest approach is to search “[university name] Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program” directly on the university’s own website, or start from the official directory link above and click through.
Strategy tip: each university has different strengths. KNUST and Ashesi suit students who want to stay closer to home. McGill, Edinburgh, and Toronto offer a fully international track. A few institutions run dedicated pipelines for refugee scholars. Don’t just pick the most famous name. Pick the institution whose program, location, and admissions profile actually match your academic goals.
How to Apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Step by Step
1. Research partner institutions
Start with the official directory link above and shortlist universities that offer your intended field of study at the right degree level.
2. Check each institution’s own requirements
Every partner sets its own admissions criteria, required documents, and deadlines. Some run a single combined admissions plus scholarship application; others require a separate scholarship application on top of standard admissions. Visit each shortlisted university’s own portal directly rather than relying on secondhand deadline info.
3. Prepare your documents early
Typical requirements include:
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- A personal statement or essay demonstrating leadership and community impact
- Letters of recommendation
- Proof of financial need
- English proficiency test scores (TOEFL/IELTS) for institutions that require them, where applicable
If SAT or TOEFL costs are a barrier, some partner universities can help, and Education USA has supported applicants with test fees in the past. A number of African partner institutions don’t require SAT/TOEFL at all, which is worth considering if testing costs are a real obstacle for you.
4. Submit before the university’s deadline
There is no single Mastercard Foundation deadline. Each partner sets its own; some open a year in advance of enrollment, others just a few months out. Build a personal deadline tracker the moment you shortlist your universities.
5. Apply to more than one institution
You’re allowed to apply to as many partner universities as you want. Since the program is highly competitive, and admission to a university does not guarantee the scholarship itself, applying broadly meaningfully improves your odds. Just weigh that against the time and any fees each application requires.
Common Mistakes That Cost Applicants the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship
- Assuming there’s one application. There isn’t. Missing a portal or deadline specific to one institution is the most common reason strong candidates lose out.
- Treating admission and the scholarship as the same thing. Getting into the university doesn’t guarantee Mastercard Foundation funding. Selection is a separate, competitive layer.
- Weak personal statements. The program is explicitly looking for future leaders committed to their communities. Generic essays about wanting a good education rarely stand out.
- Applying too late in the cycle. Some partner deadlines close nearly a year before the intake. Start researching at least 12 months ahead of when you want to enroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship cover master’s or PhD study? Master’s, yes. PhD, not currently. The program funds secondary, undergraduate, and master’s level study only.
Is there an age limit for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program? Generally 28 or younger, extended to 32 for refugee applicants and applicants with disabilities.
Do I need to pay application fees? Some partner institutions charge fees, but these are reimbursed if you’re selected as a Scholar. Fee assistance options exist for applicants who can’t afford them upfront.
Can I apply to multiple Mastercard Foundation partner universities at once? Yes, there’s no cap, though each application takes real time and may carry its own fee.
Does getting admitted guarantee the scholarship? No. Admission and scholarship selection are evaluated separately, and the program is highly competitive.
Conclusion
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program remains one of the most comprehensive scholarships available to African students, but it rewards applicants who treat it like the network of 62 doors it actually is, not a single form. Start early, pick partner universities strategically based on your field and circumstances, and build an application that shows real leadership and community commitment, not just good grades.