United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) has partnered with the Mastercard Foundation in its global Scholars Program. This initiative will offer academically talented youth from Africa facing financial, gender, displacement, or disability constraints the opportunity to access world-class university education.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa will provide full-cost scholarships to young Africans who are first-time undergraduate degree-seeking applicants. By completing their studies, scholars will be required to lead changes in their communities and contribute to meaningful transformation across the continent, having been equipped with internationally recognized and locally applicable qualifications.
The Mastercard Foundation seeks a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn and prosper. Everyone should have an equal chance to succeed no matter where their starting point in life is. We believe that people can have that chance with access to education, financial services, and skills training. Our focus is helping economically disadvantaged young people in Africa find opportunities to move themselves, their families, and their communities out of poverty and into a better life.
Aim and Benefits of the USIU-Africa Undergraduate Scholarship
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars at USIU-Africa will receive holistic support, which includes:
- Tuition and functional fees;
- Laptops, books, and other learning materials;
- reasonable accommodation and meals;
- Medical insurance;
- Stipend;
- transport to and from home;
- access to leadership training;
- access to entrepreneurial training;
- Psycho-social support, career counseling, and mentorship
- Disability requirements will be met reasonably.
Requirements for USIU-Africa Undergraduate Scholarship Qualification
Only youth not exceeding 29 years old in the following categories qualify:
- Young women and men.
- Refugees and displaced youth;
- youth with disabilities.
2. Scholars must demonstrate the following qualities:
- Academic talent: They must value learning and be motivated to complete their education. Must meet the university admissions requirement per the Kenya Commission for University Education or its equivalent.
- Commitment to giving back: applicants should demonstrate a commitment to improving their communities through previous and/or past engagements with community outreach activities.
- Leadership potential: Scholars must commit to becoming changemakers, role models, and mentors who embrace ethical leadership.
3. Must be interested in, and meet USIU-Africa admissions criteria and academic qualifications to undertake, any of the 13 approved undergraduate degree programs for the Scholars Program at USIU-Africa as follows:
- School of Science and Technology (SST): Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Technology, Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and Technology, Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Analytics, and Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering
- School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (SPHS): Bachelor of Pharmacy; Bachelor of Science in Epidemiology and Biostatistics;
- School of Communication, Cinematic, and Creative Arts (SCCCA): Bachelor of Arts in Animation, Bachelor of Arts in Film Production and Directing;
- Chandaria School of Business Administration (CSOB): Bachelor of Science in Finance, Bachelor of Science in International Business Administration, and Bachelor of Science in Accounting;
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS): Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
More information about the above-highlighted degree programs can be found on the university website: undergraduate-programs
Interview date, process, and venue for the USIU-Africa Undergraduate Scholarship
Important dates and deadlines:
- The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, January 20, 2023.
- Application Deadline: Monday, February 20, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. (East Africa Time).
**If you do not hear from us by this date, Sunday, April 30, 2023, please consider your application unsuccessful. Due to the large volume of applications received, we cannot give all applicants personalized feedback.
Note;
- The Scholars program will communicate with applicants through email and phone contact. Applicants should ensure that the phone numbers and email addresses provided are accurate and active to receive critical information and feedback.
- After the selection process, successful applicants will be invited for a virtual or in-person interview conducted by independent panels.
- Applicants who will be discovered to have provided false information during any stage of the application and selection process will be disqualified. Any attempt to influence the selection process will lead to automatic disqualification.
- The Scholars program at USIU-Africa does not work with agents or intermediaries in the application and selection processes. No charges, fees, or “facilitation” are required at any stage of the application and selection process.
Application Deadline
February 20, 2023
How to apply
- Interested applicants can download the application form from the USIU-Africa website or pick up the forms, at no cost, from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Office at the School of Graduate Studies, Research, and Extension, 2nd floor.
- Before filling out the application form, please read the instructions and required information.
- Submit the completed application and other supporting documents required by email, ensuring that the scanned copy of the scholarship application form and all the required documents are in PDF format. Send your application to: [email protected] with your name and nationality as the email subject; or drop your application at the Scholars Program Office, located in the School of Graduate Studies, Research, and Extension building at USIUAfrica; or post your application to:
Program Director,
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program,
United States International University—Africa
P. O. Box 14634, Nairobi, Kenya
- Download the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application Form (September 2023)
- Download the Guidelines for a Good Recommendation Letter
Applicants are advised to send only one complete application. Duplicate or multiple applications will be rejected. Please note that canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.
For more information,
- Contact the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Team at USIU-Africa on:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +254 730 116 218; 500; 107; 148
- Click here for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
For more details, visit the USIU-Africa website.
