Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 | Fully Funded Scholarship for African Students

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 is one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive fully funded scholarship programmes committed to developing Africa’s next generation of transformative leaders by providing academically talented but economically disadvantaged African youth with full access to quality higher education at 62+ partner universities across Africa, North America, Europe, and the Middle East. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 covers full tuition fees, accommodation, books, a monthly living stipend, a laptop, health insurance, career services, mentoring, psychosocial support, leadership development, and return airfare — making it one of the most complete scholarship packages available anywhere in the world. With over USD 1.7 billion committed and 45,000+ scholarships awarded to date, the programme is on track to support 100,000 scholars by 2030. Apply directly through your chosen partner university — there is no central application to the Mastercard Foundation itself. Visit mastercardfdn.org for the full list of partner institutions.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is implemented through more than 62 partner universities and NGOs — each of which manages its own admissions, selection criteria, deadlines, and application process independently. This means there is no single application portal or deadline for the “Mastercard Foundation Scholarship.” You apply to the specific partner university you wish to attend, through that university’s own application system. Each partner university has its own Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program page on its website with specific eligibility requirements, deadlines, and application instructions.

Key Highlights

Detail Description

The Mastercard Foundation was established in 2006 with a mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion for people living in poverty. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program — its flagship initiative — was launched to address one of the most significant barriers to Africa’s development: the gap between talented young Africans who have the potential to become transformative leaders and the financial resources required to access quality higher education. The Scholars Program was launched in 2012, initially targeting 50,000 transformative leaders by 2030. That goal has since been doubled — the programme now aims to support 100,000 scholars by 2030.

The programme’s approach goes far beyond simply paying tuition fees. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides what it calls “wraparound support” — a comprehensive package of financial, psychosocial, and academic services that addresses every barrier a scholar might face, from the cost of textbooks to the emotional challenges of studying far from home in an unfamiliar environment. This wraparound model reflects decades of research showing that financial support alone is insufficient to guarantee that talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds will successfully complete their degrees and transition into meaningful employment.

As the Mastercard Foundation marks 20 years of impact in 2026, the Scholars Program has committed over 45,000 scholarships across 62+ partner institutions globally, with an alumni network of more than 20,000 graduates serving across Africa and the world. The programme’s 2030 goal is to support 100,000 young Africans through quality higher education — creating a generation of leaders capable of driving inclusive and equitable economic transformation across the continent.

Benefits

• Full Tuition and Fees: 100% of tuition fees and university charges are covered for the full duration of the degree programme — undergraduate or postgraduate. Scholars pay no tuition at any point.
• Accommodation: On-campus or arranged accommodation is provided and fully covered. Scholars do not pay for housing during their studies.
• Monthly Living Stipend: A monthly living allowance is provided to cover daily expenses. The exact amount varies by partner university and country of study.
• Books and Academic Materials: All required textbooks and academic materials are covered — scholars do not pay for books or study materials.
• Laptop: Every Mastercard Foundation Scholar receives a laptop — recognizing that technology access is essential for academic success in the modern learning environment.
• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical insurance is provided for the duration of the scholarship.
• Return Airfare: A return air ticket to the scholar’s home country is provided where necessary — for scholars studying in a country other than their home country.
• Visa and Immigration Assistance: Support with visa applications and immigration documentation is provided for scholars studying abroad.
• Mentoring: Each scholar is paired with a mentor — typically a professional or Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program alumnus — who provides guidance and support throughout the degree.
• Leadership Development: Structured leadership development programming is a core component of the Scholars Program experience — including workshops, retreats, and the annual Baobab Summit for Scholars and alumni.
• Psychosocial Support: Dedicated counselling and psychosocial support services are provided — recognizing the emotional and psychological challenges of studying far from home, often as first-generation university students.
• Career Services: Career development support including internship placements, job search guidance, career coaching, and entrepreneurship training to ensure scholars successfully transition into dignified and fulfilling work after graduation.
• Alumni Network: Lifetime access to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program alumni network of 20,000+ graduates across Africa and the world.
• Application Fee Reimbursement: University application fees are reimbursed for candidates who are selected as Mastercard Foundation Scholars — so financial constraints do not prevent eligible students from applying.

Eligibility Criteria

• African Citizenship: Must hold citizenship of an African country. Candidates who hold dual citizenship where the second passport is from a non-African country are not eligible. Refugees and displaced persons within Africa are eligible — special provisions apply.
• Age: Maximum 28 years old at the time of application. An extended age limit of maximum 32 years old applies for applicants in the Refugee or Persons with Disabilities categories.
• Financial Need: Must demonstrate financial need — the programme specifically targets students who have the talent and potential to succeed in higher education but lack the financial means to access it. Financial need does not require being in extreme poverty — the Foundation is looking for students for whom the cost of university would be a genuine and significant barrier.
• Academic Excellence: Must be academically strong with a strong academic record from secondary school (for undergraduate programmes) or university (for postgraduate programmes). Specific academic requirements vary by partner university.
• Leadership and Community Commitment: Must demonstrate a commitment to making a difference in the lives of others — through community service, volunteer work, leadership activities, or other forms of civic engagement. The programme seeks future leaders who are already showing this commitment before they reach university.
• Admission to Partner University: Every applicant must first meet the full university admissions requirements of the partner institution they are applying to. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarship is awarded in addition to, not instead of, the regular university admissions process.
• Language Proficiency: English-medium universities require IELTS (typically 6.0-7.0) or TOEFL (typically 80-100). French-medium institutions require DELF/DALF or TCF certification. Individual partner university requirements vary — check each institution’s specific requirements.

Who is NOT Eligible:

• PhD and doctoral candidates — the programme explicitly does not currently offer scholarships at PhD level. Confirmed from the official Mastercard Foundation FAQ: “scholarships are not currently available to PhD candidates.”
• Non-African citizens — the programme is exclusively for African citizens and residents
• Dual citizens whose second passport is from a non-African country
• Applicants over 28 years old (or over 32 for refugees/persons with disabilities)
• Applicants who do not demonstrate financial need
• Applicants who do not meet the specific academic admission requirements of their chosen partner university
• Applicants applying to non-partner universities — the Foundation only funds scholars at its designated partner institutions
• Applicants who have already completed a degree at the same level they are applying for at a partner university

Partner Universities — Where to Apply

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is implemented at 62+ partner institutions globally. Below are key partner universities confirmed for the 2026-2027 cycle:

Important note on partner universities: Each partner university runs its own independent admissions process. Missing one university’s deadline does not affect your eligibility at another — you can apply to multiple partner universities simultaneously. The full and current list of all partner institutions with their application status (open/closed), contact details, and specific requirements is available at mastercardfdn.org/where-to-apply.

Selection Criteria

While each partner university manages its own selection process, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program consistently evaluates applicants on four core dimensions:

Required Documents

Required documents vary by partner university. The following documents are commonly required across most partner institutions — check your specific university’s Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program page for the exact list:

1. Completed scholarship application form — submitted through the partner university’s own application portal or scholarship form
2. Academic transcripts and certificates — secondary school results (for undergraduate applicants) or university transcripts (for postgraduate applicants), with certified translations if not in English or French
3. Personal statement or motivation letter — addressing your background, financial situation, leadership experience, academic goals, and how you plan to use your education to contribute to Africa’s development
4. Financial need documentation — evidence of family income, financial circumstances, and why you are unable to fund your own education
5. Letters of recommendation — typically 2-3 letters from teachers, professors, community leaders, or employers who can speak to your academic ability, character, and leadership
6. Proof of citizenship — national ID, passport, or birth certificate confirming African citizenship
7. Language proficiency certificate — IELTS/TOEFL for English-medium universities; DELF/DALF/TCF for French-medium institutions
8. Community service or leadership evidence — documentation of volunteer work, community leadership, social initiatives, or other civic engagement activities

Application Process

Step 1: Browse All Partner Universities and Identify Your Top Choices

Go to mastercardfdn.org/where-to-apply and browse the full list of 62+ partner institutions. Filter by region, degree level, and application status (open/closed). Each partner institution has its own page on the Mastercard Foundation website with a direct link to the university’s Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program page. Visit each university’s page directly to read specific eligibility criteria, available programmes, deadlines, and application requirements. You can apply to multiple partner universities simultaneously — missing one deadline does not affect your chances at another.

Step 2: Research Each University’s Specific Requirements and Deadlines

Each partner university has completely different requirements, deadlines, and application processes. Cambridge runs its own application. Arizona State runs its own. Makerere runs its own. Before spending time preparing your application, confirm the exact deadline for the current application cycle at each university you plan to apply to. Deadlines are posted on each university’s Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program page — not on the central Mastercard Foundation website. Some universities open applications months in advance; others have much shorter windows. Many 2027 cycle deadlines fall in late 2026 and early 2027.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application Package for Each University

Prepare all required documents well before the deadline. The most time-consuming components are your personal statement and financial need documentation. Your personal statement is the most important part of your application — it must clearly and specifically describe your financial situation, your leadership activities and community engagement, your academic goals, and your vision for how you will use your education to contribute to Africa’s development. Weak, generic personal statements are the most common reason for rejection. Give your recommenders at least 6-8 weeks to write strong letters. If any tests (IELTS, TOEFL, SAT) are required, take them several months before your application deadline — not in the final weeks.

Step 4: Submit University Admissions Application Simultaneously

Every applicant must first meet the full university admissions requirements of the partner institution they are applying to. Your Mastercard Foundation scholarship application is submitted alongside — or in some cases after — your general university admissions application. Read each university’s instructions carefully to understand whether you apply for admissions and the scholarship simultaneously or in sequence. Some universities require a separate scholarship form; others integrate the scholarship application into the admissions process.

Step 5: Application Fee — Pay If Required, Claim Reimbursement If Selected

Many partner universities require an application fee as part of the admissions process — including international universities such as those in North America and Europe. The Mastercard Foundation covers this cost: if you are selected as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar, the application fee will be reimbursed. If you cannot afford the application fee and are not selected, you will not be reimbursed. Consider this carefully when deciding which universities to apply to — prioritize African partner universities where application fees are typically lower or waived, unless you are confident of your eligibility and competitiveness for international partner universities.

Step 6: Await Selection and Respond Promptly

Each partner university notifies applicants of their outcome according to its own timeline. Successful applicants receive an offer from the partner university and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program together. If selected, respond promptly to accept the offer — and begin immediately arranging your visa (for international studies), organizing travel, and preparing for the scholarship onboarding process. As a new scholar, you will receive the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Handbook — a practical guide to making the most of your journey from your first day on campus through to your transition into meaningful work after graduation.

How to Apply

To apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027, browse the full list of partner institutions and apply directly to your chosen university:

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027?

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 is one of the world’s largest fully funded scholarship programmes — launched in 2012 and now the largest scholarship initiative of its kind in Africa — supporting academically talented African youth with financial need to access quality higher education at 62+ partner universities. The programme covers full tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend, books, laptop, health insurance, return airfare, mentoring, leadership development, and career services at secondary, undergraduate, and Master’s degree levels. PhD scholarships are not currently available. With USD 1.7 billion committed and 45,000+ scholarships awarded, the programme aims to support 100,000 scholars by 2030. Apply through your chosen partner university — not directly to the Mastercard Foundation.

2. What is the deadline for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027?

There is no single deadline — each partner university sets its own deadline independently. Deadlines vary widely across the 62+ partner institutions and run throughout 2026 and early 2027 for the 2027 intake. Check the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program page of each specific university you plan to apply to for their exact current deadline. The central Mastercard Foundation website at mastercardfdn.org/where-to-apply lists all partner institutions with their application status (open/closed) and links to each university’s specific page.

3. Who is eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027?

You are eligible if you are a citizen of an African country (dual citizens with a non-African second passport are not eligible), maximum 28 years old (or maximum 32 for refugees/persons with disabilities), demonstrate financial need, have strong academic performance, demonstrate leadership potential and community engagement, and meet the specific admissions requirements of your chosen partner university. The programme is for both undergraduate and postgraduate (Master’s) applicants — available programmes vary by partner university.

4. How do I apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?

You do NOT apply to the Mastercard Foundation directly. You apply through the specific partner university you wish to attend. Go to mastercardfdn.org/where-to-apply to browse all 62+ partner institutions, find the ones with open applications, visit each university’s Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program page, and follow their specific application instructions. Each university has its own application portal, deadline, required documents, and selection process. You can apply to multiple partner universities simultaneously. Important: Gaining admission to a partner university does NOT guarantee selection for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program — the scholarship selection is separate and highly competitive.

5. Does the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program cover all costs?

Yes — for fully awarded scholars, the programme covers all major costs: tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend, books and academic materials, laptop, health insurance, and return airfare. Application fees charged by partner universities are reimbursed if you are selected. The programme’s “wraparound support” model is one of the most comprehensive scholarship packages available globally — going well beyond a simple tuition waiver to cover every significant barrier a scholar might face.

6. Can I apply to more than one partner university?

Yes. You can apply to as many partner universities as you choose — missing one deadline does not affect your eligibility at another. However, completing a strong application package takes significant time and effort. Focus your energy on 2-4 partner universities where your profile is the strongest match rather than applying broadly to all 62+ institutions with weaker applications.

7. Is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program open to students outside Africa?

No. Eligibility is restricted to African citizens and residents. The programme specifically targets young people from Africa. Non-African citizens are not eligible regardless of where they are currently living or studying. Dual citizens whose second passport is from a non-African country are also not eligible. Refugees and displaced persons within Africa are eligible under special provisions — check with your chosen partner university for details.

Final Thoughts

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 is one of the most transformative scholarship opportunities available to young Africans today. With full tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend, laptop, health insurance, return airfare, mentoring, and career services — all at 62+ of the world’s leading universities from Makerere to Cambridge to UC Berkeley — the programme provides not just financial support but a complete ecosystem for academic success and professional development. The programme’s alumni network of 20,000+ changemakers across Africa and the world is a testament to what is possible when talented young people are given the support they need to succeed. Browse all partner universities at mastercardfdn.org/where-to-apply, identify the institutions that best match your academic goals and career vision, and submit your strongest possible application — your personal statement is the most important document in your package, so start writing it today.

For questions about the programme, contact the Mastercard Foundation at mastercardfdn.org/contact or reach out directly to the international admissions or scholarships office at your chosen partner university. To report scams or fraudulent activities related to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, contact privacy@mastercardfdn.org immediately.