Check out these 5 best scholarships in USA for African students and how to apply for them in this guide.
Studying in the USA is a life-changing experience for many African students.
You get to benefit from the excellent academic standards, the rich cultural diversity, the cutting-edge research opportunities, and the global network of alumni and professionals.
However, studying in the USA can also be very expensive, especially for international students who have to pay higher tuition fees and living costs.
That’s why scholarships in USA for African students are so important.
They can help you cover some or all of the expenses of studying in the USA
And also provides you with other benefits such as mentoring, networking, internships, and career development.
Meanwhile, these Scholarships in USA for African students can also be very competitive, so you need to prepare well and apply early to increase your chances of success.
In this article, we will teach you how to apply for the best scholarships in USA for African students that you can apply for from 2024 to 2025.
Keep reading!
Best Scholarships in USA for African Students
Here is the list of the top 5 Best Scholarships in USA for African Students
These scholarships are offered by reputable universities and organizations that are committed to supporting African students and developing leaders in Africa.
1. The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program
The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program is one of the most generous scholarships in USA for African students.
It aims to educate and develop bright yet economically disadvantaged young people in Africa who have a demonstrated “give-back” ethos and who will contribute to the transformation of the continent.
The Scholars Program partners with several universities in the USA to offer full scholarships for undergraduate and graduate studies. These include:
- Arizona State University
- Duke University
- Michigan State University
- Stanford University
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Minnesota
- University of Notre Dame
- Wellesley College
This scholarship covers
- Full tuition and fees
- Accommodation and meals
- Books and supplies
- Laptop and smartphone
- Medical insurance
- Travel costs
- Visa and SEVIS fees
- Stipend for personal expenses
- Academic and social support
- Leadership training and mentoring
- Community service and internship opportunities
- Alumni network and career guidance
Who can apply?
To be eligible for the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program, you must:
- Be a citizen of an African country mentioned above.
- Have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership potential, and social commitment
- Have significant financial need and face barriers to accessing education
- Be applying for your first bachelor’s or master’s degree (or equivalent)
- Meet the specific admission requirements of the partner university of your choice
How to Apply
To apply for the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program, you must:
- Visit the website of the partner university of your choice and follow the instructions on how to apply for admission and scholarship
- Submit your online application and supporting documents by the deadline specified by the partner university
- Complete an online or phone interview if shortlisted by the partner university
- Wait for the final decision from the partner university
The application deadlines vary depending on the partner university and the level of study.
Generally, they range from September to February for undergraduate studies, and from October to April for graduate studies.
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2. The Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is one of the most prestigious and competitive scholarships in USA for African students.
It is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and aims to promote mutual understanding and cultural exchange between the USA and other countries.
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program enables graduate students, young professionals, and artists from abroad to study and conduct research in the USA for one year or more.
The program covers a wide range of fields and disciplines, except for medicine and clinical studies.
As a Fulbright Foreign Student, you will receive:
- Full tuition and fees
- Accommodation and meals
- Books and supplies
- Airfare and ground transportation
- Medical insurance
- Monthly stipend for personal expenses
- Pre-academic orientation and enrichment activities
- Academic and professional support
- Alumni network and opportunities
Who can apply?
To be eligible for the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, you must:
- Be a citizen of an eligible African country
- Have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Have a strong academic record and professional achievements
- Have a clear and feasible study or research plan
- Have a good command of English
- Have leadership potential and community involvement
- Have a desire to return to your home country and share your experience
How to apply
To apply for the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, you must:
- Visit the Fulbright Commission website or the U.S. Embassy in your home country and follow the instructions on how to apply
- Submit your online application and supporting documents by the deadline specified by your home country
- Take the required standardized tests such as TOEFL, GRE, or GMAT
- Complete an in-person interview if shortlisted by your home country
- Wait for the final decision from the Fulbright Program
Note: The application deadlines for the Fulbright Foreign Student Program vary depending on your home country.
However, they range from February to October for the following academic year.
3. The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme is one of the most flexible scholarships in USA for African students.
It is funded by the Aga Khan Foundation, a private, non-denominational, development agency that works to improve the quality of life of people in Asia and Africa.
This Programme provides financial assistance to outstanding students from developing countries who wish to pursue postgraduate studies in any field or discipline.
It gives priority to students who have no other means of financing their education, and who are interested in development-related topics.
As an Aga Khan Foundation Scholar, you will receive:
- Partial or full tuition and fees
- Living expenses
- Travel costs
- Medical insurance
- Contingency funds
Tbe Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme is mainly offered as a loan, which must be repaid within five years after graduation.
However, up to 50% of the loan amount can be converted into a grant, based on the academic performance and financial situation of the scholar.
Who can apply?
To be eligible for the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme, you must:
- Be a citizen of an eligible African country
- Have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Have an excellent academic record and professional experience
- Have a valid admission offer from a reputable university in the USA or elsewhere
- Have a clear and relevant study or research plan
- Have a strong commitment to return to your home country and contribute to its development
How to Apply
To apply for the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme, you must:
- Visit the Aga Khan Foundation website or its local office in your home country and follow the instructions on how to apply
- Submit your online or paper application and supporting documents by the deadline specified by your home country
- Complete an interview if shortlisted by your home country
- Wait for the final decision from the Aga Khan Foundation
Note: The application deadlines for the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme vary depending on your home country.
4. The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders
The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is one of the most innovative and impactful scholarships in USA for African students.
It is part of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), a signature program of the U.S. government that aims to empower and connect the next generation of African leaders.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders provides 700 young African leaders with the opportunity to participate in a six-week academic and leadership institute at a U.S. university,
Followed by a summit in Washington, D.C., and networking and professional development activities in the USA and Africa.
As a Mandela Washington Fellow, you will receive:
- Full tuition and fees
- Accommodation and meals
- Books and supplies
- Airfare and ground transportation
- Medical insurance
- Visa and SEVIS fees
- Stipend for personal expenses
- Academic and leadership training
- Networking and mentoring opportunities
- Alumni network and resources
Who can apply?
To be eligible for the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, you must:
- Be a citizen of an eligible African country
- Be between 25 and 35 years old
- Have proven leadership experience in public, private, or civic sectors
- Have demonstrated commitment to public service and community engagement
- Have a good command of English
- Have a positive attitude and willingness to learn
How to Apply
To apply for the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, you must:
- Visit the website of the Mandela Washington Fellowship and follow the instructions on how to apply
- Submit your online application and supporting documents by the deadline specified by the Mandela Washington Fellowship
- Complete an online or phone interview if shortlisted by the Mandela Washington Fellowship
- Wait for the final decision from the Mandela Washington Fellowship
Note: The application deadline for the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is usually in September or October of the following year.
5. The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program is one of the most reliable scholarships in USA for African students.
It is funded by the government of Japan and administered by the World Bank, a global institution that provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries.
This Program supports students from developing countries who wish to pursue master’s degrees in development-related fields at selected partner universities around the world, including several in the USA.
It aims to create a pool of highly trained and skilled professionals who can contribute to the economic and social development of their home countries and regions.
As a Joint Japan/World Bank Scholar, you will receive:
- Full tuition and fees
- Accommodation and meals
- Books and supplies
- Airfare and ground transportation
- Medical insurance
- Monthly stipend for personal expenses
- Pre-academic orientation and preparation
- Alumni network and opportunities
Who can apply?
To be eligible for the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program, you must:
- Be a citizen of an eligible African country
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Have at least three years of relevant professional experience
- Have a clear and feasible career plan in development
- Have a good command of English
- Have an unconditional admission offer from a partner university of your choice
How to Apply
To apply for the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program,
- Visit the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program and follow the instructions on how to apply
- Submit your online application and supporting documents by the deadline specified by the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
- Take the required standardized tests such as TOEFL, GRE, or GMAT
- Wait for the final decision from the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
Note: The application deadline for the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program is usually in April for the following academic year.
Conclusion Scholarships in USA for African Students
These are some of the best scholarships in USA for African students that you can apply for from 2024 to 2025.
They can help you achieve your academic and career aspirations and also make a positive impact on your home country and continent.
However, these are not the only scholarships available, and you should also do your own research and look for other opportunities that suit your needs and interests.
Applying for scholarships in USA for African students can be a challenging and rewarding process.
Hence, You need to prepare well, work hard, and be persistent.
You also need to showcase your academic excellence, leadership potential, and social commitment.
As well as the need to demonstrate why you deserve the scholarship and how you will use it to make a difference.
We hope that this article has given you some useful information and guidance on how to apply for scholarships in USA for African students.
We wish you all the best in your scholarship journey and your future endeavors.
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