Unlocking Opportunities: Eligibility Requirements for the Mastercard Foundation ASU Scholarships for Africans
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, in collaboration with Arizona State University (ASU), presents a transformative opportunity for young African professionals. This program aims to empower the next generation of leaders by providing access to quality education and comprehensive support. The scholarship is more than just financial aid; it's a holistic program designed to equip young people with the skills and knowledge to drive socio-economic change in Africa.
Program Overview
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is implemented through partnerships with universities and non-governmental organizations. Each partner manages its own application process and decision-making. The program provides financial, psychosocial, and academic support to scholars. This support includes tuition fees, accommodation, books and academic materials, mentoring, counseling, leadership development, and a return air ticket to the scholar’s country of origin, if necessary.
Building on past successes, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program will engage 600 young adults between 2024 and 2030. The program supports various pathways, including in-person and online degrees, English language learning in partnership with African institutions, and certificates in fields like supply chain management and global management. By 2030, the program aims to double its impact by enabling 100,000 young people to access higher education.
Key Objectives
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is driven by the vision of a transformative network of young people and institutions driving inclusive and equitable socio-economic change in Africa. The program works with education institutions, NGOs, and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni communities to create conditions that enable young people to attain inclusive and relevant education, transition smoothly into dignified and fulfilling work, and lead transformative lives. The program has already committed over 57,000 scholarships for young African leaders to succeed in the world of work and grow as transformative leaders.
The Mastercard Foundation believes inclusive economic growth is essential to unlocking the full potential of young people in Africa and Indigenous youth in Canada. By creating viable pathways for all young people, including women and marginalized groups, the program enables them to improve their lives, livelihoods, and well-being.
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Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?
To be considered for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Arizona State University, applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements:
Citizenship: Applicants must be citizens of an African country.
Age: Applicants must be between 18 and 33 years old on or before the application deadline.
Academic Qualifications:
- Applicants must qualify academically for admission to their chosen degree program, including English proficiency.
- Applicants must have earned an undergraduate degree conferred by August 2026.
- Applicants must not have started or completed other graduate or master’s degrees before August 2026.
Leadership and Service: Applicants must demonstrate a track record of leadership and service in their community. They must also be committed to ethical leadership and demonstrate engagement in their community.
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Financial Need: Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence and ambitions that exceed their financial resources.
Eligible Graduate Programs at ASU
Scholarships are available for the following full-time, on-campus graduate programs:
- MS Global Technology and Development
- MS Information Technology
- MS Human Systems Engineering - Intelligent Systems
- MS User Experience
- MSC Computer Science
- MS Data Science Analytics & Engineering
- MS Robotics and Autonomous Systems
- MS Civil, Environmental & Sustainable Engineering
- MS Clean Energy Systems
- MS Modern Energy Production and Sustainable Use
Application Process
The application process involves two key steps:
Scholarship Application: Applicants must first apply for the scholarship.
University Program Application: After applying for the scholarship, applicants must apply to the university program of their choice.
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It is essential for all applicants to read and understand the application guidance and eligibility criteria before submitting an application to avoid any errors or incorrect information.
Financial Support and Reimbursement
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides comprehensive financial support, including tuition fees, accommodation, books, and other academic materials. For schools that require application fees as part of the admissions process, the fees will be reimbursed if the student is selected for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
Additional Support for Applicants
Applicants who cannot afford admission fees may seek assistance from universities. In some cases, universities may be able to assist with the completion of tests. Applicants confident that they can fulfill the requirements of the SAT and TOEFL should ask their counselor or principal for a letter of support. 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.
Partner Institutions and Application Deadlines
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is managed individually by partner universities, who set their own admission fees and deadlines. Applicants should research the application guidelines and contact the partner institution of their choice for more information. Each partner institution offers different programs and has its own timelines for admission, fees, and application guidelines.
The Baobab Summit
The Baobab Summit is a gathering of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program community, where members connect, co-create, share, learn, and reflect. The Summit provides 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.
Community Impact and Social Venture Challenge
Emerging social entrepreneurs compete to win the Resolution Social Venture Challenge (SVC) at the Baobab Summit. Mastercard Foundation Scholars take part in a competition designed to recognize and celebrate young leaders committed to social change in Africa and beyond.
Opportunities Beyond Scholarships
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Network mobilizes alumni from various programs, including 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.
A Decade of Impact
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program celebrated its 10th anniversary at KNUST. The event was an opportunity to demonstrate the program’s impact, share learning from the past decade, and look to the future. Celebrating this important milestone was also an opportunity to recognize the efforts of the diverse and dynamic partner network and the brilliant and resilient Mastercard Foundation Scholars.
tags: #Mastercard #Foundation #ASU #scholarships #for #Africans
