Educate Africa

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University of California Berkeley – MasterCard Foundation Scholarship Program – Undegrad and Grad

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Scholarship Overview
  • The vision of The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program is open to both graduate and undergraduate students. The vision of the program is to educate and develop bright yet economically marginalized young people in Africa who have a demonstrated “give-back” ethos and who will contribute to the transformation of the continent. This $500 million program covers secondary and higher education for girls and boys. It will transition promising young people from beneficiaries to benefactors, preparing them with the values, knowledge, skills, and leadership to fuel economic and social progress across Africa.

Host School(s)

  • Study at UC Berkeley
  • the world’s premier public university. Study with Nobel laureate faculty at top research facilities. Meet the best students from the United States and around the globe. And graduate with a diploma that introduces you to a family of more than 450,000 alumni.

Field(s) of Study

  • Most undergraduate programs
  • Some graduate options available also

What does the scholarship cover?

The Program is designed to provide holistic support, including:

  • Comprehensive scholarships (school fees, living expenses, books, stipends, transportation).
  • Mentoring and counseling including emotional and academic support.
  • Service and experiential learning (volunteerism, internships, entrepreneurship, ICT).
  • Transition support into higher education or the workforce in Africa.
  • Alumni network of next-generation leaders committed to service.
How many scholarships are given?
  • 113 students from 2012 to 2020, and is open to both undergraduate and professional Master’s students.
Which countries are targeted?
  • mostly Sub-Saharan Africa

Am I Eligible to Apply?

  • Being a citizen of a Sub-Saharan African country – If you have refugee status, are stateless, or have other questions regarding your citizenship, you may still be eligible. Please contact us directly to clarify. This scholarship is not intended for citizens of North African countries.
  • Excelling academically – All prospective Scholars must first be admitted to UC Berkeley to be considered for the Scholarship. An important criteria for admission to the University is demonstrated academic excellence.
  • Coming from an economically disadvantaged background – We aim to admit those from the bottom two income quintiles per country. This Scholarship is designed for those extremely talented individuals who have no other means of acquiring the further education required to help realize their dreams and ambitions.
  • Having demonstrated the will to give back to your community, country, or continent – We are looking for well-rounded students who are engaged in activities beyond the classroom. Some may be directly related to your field of study, but this may also include other issues (social, economic, political) that you are working on and passionate about. Applicants should elaborate on their achievements both in their application to UC Berkeley, and then later on the Scholarship application.
  • Having expressed the desire and intention to return to your home country after completing your studies – We are looking for students who are engaged with and passionate about issues affecting their communities, and who will take advantage of their education at UC Berkeley to better equip themselves with the knowledge and training to address these issues upon return. While important work can be done from abroad, the intention of this Program is to enable Scholars to return home, after forming valuable professional connections through internship and job placements.
How do I Apply – Next Steps
  • Once students apply for University admission, the Program will invite them to apply for the Scholarship if they meet eligibility requirements. Please refer to the Apply page for more information on the application process.
  • Both undergraduate and graduate degree seekers must first be admitted to the university through the regular admissions process before they will be considered for the MasterCard Foundations Program Scholarship. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions and the Graduate Division provide detailed information on the admissions process for international students. Questions regarding admission requirements should be directed toward the appropriate Admissions Office.

For more details, please select the level of studies you would like to apply for:

Closing Date:
  • Undergraduate applications are due November 30th
  • Check website for individual dates

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