The Scholars Program, a steadily expanding initiative, has, to this point, dedicated over USD $1.2 billion to bolstering the education and leadership development of more than 40,000 young individuals.
In a collaborative effort, the University of California, Berkeley has joined forces with The Mastercard Foundation(link is external), forming a global network of educational institutions and non-profit organizations united by the belief that education serves as a catalyst for social and economic progress.
Scholarship Summary:
- Host Country: United States of America (USA)
- Study Abroad: Study in the USA
- Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: All Sub-Saharan African Countries
- Reward: Full Scholarship | Accommodation | Monthly Stipends | Airfare Tickets
- No IELTS Required
- Deadline: March 1, 2024
Scholarship Details:
Situated within the Center for African Studies(link is external) at UC Berkeley, the Program has offered assistance to more than 120 students between 2012 and 2020, encompassing both undergraduate and master’s degree students. It’s noteworthy that doctoral degree seekers are not eligible for this Program.
Looking ahead to 2030, UC Berkeley’s Program aims to support over 108 master’s degree students.
To be eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, master’s degree aspirants must initially apply to the university through the standard admissions procedure. Upon successful application for admission to a degree program, the Program will extend an invitation to apply for the Scholarship to eligible candidates.
Scholarship Requirements:
To qualify for the Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be a citizen of a Sub-Saharan African country: This includes Africans who are refugees or displaced within the African continent. The scholarship excludes citizens of North African countries and individuals with dual citizenship, asylee, refugee, or permanent resident status in the US, Canada, UK, or EU.
- Possess academic talent: Prospective Scholars must first gain admission to a UC Berkeley master’s degree program, with demonstrated academic excellence being a crucial criterion for university admission.
- Demonstrate leadership potential: The Program seeks individuals committed to cultivating skills and mindsets associated with transformative leadership, engaging others ethically for positive and lasting change.
- Come from a socio-economically disadvantaged background: The Scholarship targets exceptionally talented individuals who might lack access to quality further education.
- Show commitment to giving back: Applicants should have a track record of engaging in activities beyond the classroom, addressing social, economic, or political issues. Emphasis is placed on achievements both in the UC Berkeley application and later in the Scholarship application.
- Express the intention to return home: The Program seeks students passionate about issues affecting their communities, aiming to equip them with the knowledge and training to address these issues upon returning home.
Scholarship Duration and Reward:
- The Scholarship is fully-funded.
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars receive a comprehensive scholarship covering the costs associated with earning a master’s degree. This includes travel, tuition, Berkeley student fees, visa and SEVIS fees, housing, food, living expenses, and cohort signature programs focusing on leadership and entrepreneurship.
- MBA students must secure additional funding from Haas Business School through obtaining Haas scholarships, meeting Round One or Two application deadlines.
- For further details about this unique process, prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the program directly.
Method of Application
- Master’s degree applicants must first apply to a graduate progam before they will be considered for the Mastercard Foundations Scholars Program. Not all degree programs are eligible. Here is a list of Master’s Degree programs.
- Each eligible graduate degree program(link is external) has specific requirements and applicants should carefully review those. The Graduate Division(link is external) also provides detailed information on the admissions process for international students. Direct questions regarding admission requirements should be made to the specific graduate program. We outline more details of the Scholars Program application process for master’s program here. We will accept applications through the fall of 2028.
- While the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley is not open to undergraduates, students at this level are welcome to apply to the University of California, Berkeley. More information on the undergraduate process is available on the Undergraduate Admissions site(link is external).
