Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is sponsored by Mastercard Foundation. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) offers holistic training and fully funded scholarships for academically talented but economically disadvantaged young people in Ghana and sub-Saharan Africa.

The program aims to produce scholars who will become role models, mentors, problem solvers, and exhibit ethical and transformative leadership qualities. While primarily a scholarship for individuals, the overall program contributes to developing human capital relevant to ICT infrastructure development in African universities.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program | Mastercard Foundation Find out more about the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and our affiliated institutions. What role will you play towards a better continent? We envision a transformative network of young people and institutions driving inclusive and equitable socio-economic change in Africa.

We work 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.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program forges powerful partnerships with higher education institutions to deliver robust support to individual Mastercard Foundation Scholars, particularly during their academic journeys and transitions into work. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program has committed over 57,000 scholarships for young African leaders to succeed in the world of work and grow as transformative leaders.

By 2030, we aim to double our impact by enabling 100,000 young people to access higher education. 58,339 Mastercard Foundation Scholars and growing Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni Our goal for scholarships committed by 2030 The amount we have disbursed (USD) towards education and transitions programs in Africa The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is more than a scholarship program. It is a community.

Watch this video to find out what young people are saying about being a part of it. notifyGTMYouTube('bedrockk6x4tdpj__iframe'))" data-gtm-yt-inspected="false" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""> Go out there and do your thing. Explore.

Find out if you like it. I am a strong believer in doing the things you want. What I have done my whole life is [to] do things I enjoy.

If it does not work, I can start over. If you enjoy it, stick with it. Just put it out there.

” Ipti, a Mastercard Foundation Scholar notifyGTMYouTube('bedrockgzeiwaf8__iframe'))" data-gtm-yt-inspected="false" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""> Saving Mothers, Changing Futures in Senegal Sala Sow has made it her life’s mission to save mothers in underserved communities.

In this video, she takes us through her journey from becoming the first student in her village to earn a high school diploma in science while pregnant to becoming a Mastercard Foundation Scholar studying medicine at Gaston Berger University in Senegal. Driven by both purpose and personal experience, Sala is determined to break down barriers and prove that motherhood isn’t a limitation, but her driving force.

Find an institution that will help you achieve your academic goals. Scholarship Application Tips This series provides invaluable tips on crafting a strong application, gives insights into what to do and what not to do, and will equip you with the tools to make your application stand out. Prepare to take the next step in your educational journey!

At the Mastercard Foundation, we believe inclusive economic growth is essential to unlocking the full potential of young people in Africa and Indigenous youth in Canada. Creating viable pathways for all young people, including women and marginalized groups, enables them to improve their lives, livelihoods, and well-being. By fostering inclusivity in education pathways, we empower a new generation to shape their own destinies.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni Network The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Network is the culmination of our vision to mobilize the alumni from our programs — which include the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Ashoka, the Youth Think Tank (YTT), the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, the Anzisha Prize, and Youth Forward — to be a force for change.

The Baobab Summit is a gathering of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, where the community comes together to connect, co-create, share, learn, and reflect. Every year, we celebrate the power of individual and collective action in making a positive impact.

The Summit aims to provide a platform that resonates with attendees' unique journeys, offering them the chance to engage with topics and sessions of profound importance to them. The 2025 Baobab Summit was held in Nairobi, Kenya! Emerging social entrepreneurs compete to win the Resolution Social Venture Challenge (SVC) at the Baobab Summit.

Selected from among 90 competitors, Mastercard Foundation Scholars take part in a competition designed to recognize and celebrate young leaders committed to social change in Africa and beyond.

Jemila Abdulai Engineering Dignity: How Jemila Abdulai Is Making Prosthetics More Accessible in Africa Health Ghana, South Africa Engineering Dignity: How Jemila Abdulai Is Making Prosthetics More Accessible in Africa Kuol Maper Alier From Kakuma Refugee Camp to the World Health Organization: Kuol Maper Alier’s Journey of Resilience and Global Health Innovation Health South Sudan, Kenya From Kakuma Refugee Camp to the World Health Organization: Kuol Maper Alier’s Journey of Resilience and Global Health Innovation Faith Musyoki From Barriers to Breakthroughs: Faith’s Journey in Tech Disability Inclusion Kenya From Barriers to Breakthroughs: Faith’s Journey in Tech Ibukunoluwa Omotola Ibukunoluwa Omotola - Turning Barriers Into Bridges for Young People with Disabilities Disability Inclusion Nigeria Ibukunoluwa Omotola - Turning Barriers Into Bridges for Young People with Disabilities What is the process to be considered for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and how can applications be submitted?

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is managed through our partner universities and non-governmental organizations. The application process and decision-making are managed by our partners. If you are interested in becoming a Mastercard Foundation Scholar, please apply through one of the partner universities.

Each partner institution offers different programs and has their own timelines for admission, fees, and application guidelines. We recommend that you research the program of your choice and contact the relevant institution for more information. Does the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provide support for master’s degrees and PhD/doctoral students?

Yes and no. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides scholarships at the secondary, undergraduate, and master’s levels. However, scholarships are not currently available to PhD candidates. Where are the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program’s partner institutions located?

Our partner institutions are primarily in Africa, but we also have partners in North and Central America, Europe, and the Middle East. Does the Mastercard Foundation offer financial support for students outside of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program? The Mastercard Foundation does not provide sponsorship or financial support to candidates who are not awarded scholarships through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

What does the scholarship cover? The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides financial, psychosocial, and academic support to Mastercard Foundation Scholars. Financial support includes, but is not limited to, tuition fees, accommodation, books and other academic materials, mentoring, counselling, leadership development, and a return air ticket to a Mastercard Foundation Scholar’s country of origin, if necessary.

Does the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provide scholarships from non-partner universities? The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is implemented through our partner universities and NGOs that serve young people from underrepresented backgrounds. The application process and decision-making are managed by each partner university in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

When is the application deadline? Each partner in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program sets their own deadline. Please check the Program website of the partner institution(s) of your choice for the specific deadline.

How can applicants learn more about the status of their application? The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is implemented through our partner universities and NGOs that serve young people from underrepresented backgrounds. The application process and decision-making are managed by each partner university in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

We recommend that applicants research the application guidelines or contact the institution of their choice directly for more information. How much does the application fee cost? The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is managed individually by our partners, who set their own admission fees.

Please read through the application guidelines and/or contact the partner institution(s) of your choice for more information. For institutions that require application fees as part of the admissions process, the fees will be reimbursed if the candidate is selected for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. What support is available for applicants who cannot afford the admission fees?

Admission fees are required by many of our implementing partners as part of the application process. North American universities require TOEFL and/or SAT scores as part of the application process for international candidates. Understandably, these costs can be a barrier for many potential Mastercard Foundation Scholars.

Although we are unable to influence these admission requirements, we have found the following options to be helpful to some applicants: – In some cases, universities may be able to assist with the completion of tests.

For applicants confident that they can fulfill the requirements of the SAT and TOEFL, they should ask their counsellor or principal for a letter of support or similar documentation that expresses their confidence in the candidate’s academic achievements. These letters of support, along with the candidate’s story, should be shared with the admissions office at the university to which they are applying.

– Some candidates have also found support to cover the costs of the SAT or TOEFL through Education USA. – We have partnered with Africa-based universities that offer undergraduate or graduate programs and do not require SAT or TOEFL scores. Can multiple applications be considered simultaneously for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?

Each partner university in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program manages its own application process. Thus, candidates can apply to as many universities as they wish. However, we remind applicants that while there is no limit to the number of universities you can apply to, it is important to note that it takes a great deal of effort to complete an application submission package, and application fees may also be required.

Does acceptance to a partner university guarantee a scholarship? The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is highly competitive. Gaining admission to a partner institution does not guarantee selection for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

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