Deadline: 10 December 2015
Open to: resident and a graduating high school student of a country within Sub-Saharan Africa
Scholarships: full covered tuition, travel expenses (including obtaining a passport), housing, food, books and other expenses
Description
The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program is a 10-year initiative to educate and prepare young people – particularly from Africa – to lead change and make a positive social impact in their communities.
This comprehensive scholarship provides talented yet financially disadvantaged students from Sub-Saharan Africa with access to relevant university education. The Program aims to educate and enable students to contribute to the economic growth and social development of their countries of origin.
The Program supports four-year programs in the Faculty of Arts & Science and the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering for students from Sub-Saharan Africa. It is not available for graduate programs at University of Toronto. For a list of the programs of study available to choose from, please visit the Faculty of Arts & Science’s Prospective Students and the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering’s Discover Engineering.
Eligibility
The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program is open to students who are residents and citizens of a Sub-Saharan Africa country. You must be a first-time applicant to the University of Toronto who has not yet begun university study elsewhere. If you are a transfer student, you are not eligible for the program.
In order to be eligible, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be a resident and a graduating high school student of a country within Sub-Saharan Africa;
- Demonstrate financial need correspondent to that of the lowest two quintiles of your country;
- Have very strong academic results within your school system;
- Have a record of leadership and extracurricular involvement;
- Maintain a strong desire to return to Africa to assist and work towards enhanced regional socioeconomic development;
- Be graduating from a recognized secondary school, or have completed the necessary academic requirements;
- Fulfill the necessary English requirements (dependent on country).
Please note that both academic and English requirements differ based on the country and educational system you are coming from.
Scholarship
If you are selected, you will receive a scholarship equivalent to the costs of attaining a Bachelor’s degree, including travel (obtaining a passport), tuition, textbooks, housing, food and living expenses. You will also receive financial, academic, social and post-graduation support which will enable you to gain the experiences and skills you need to succeed.
How to apply?
- A completed online application – all applicable sections must be filled out, including contact information, financial information, personal details and responses to essay questions;
- Financial documents – upload a scanned copy of financial documentation;
- Transcript – upload a scanned copy of your secondary school transcript and any other academic information;
- Two references – provide the names and contact details of two individuals who will serve as your referees. They will contact your referees directly and ask them to submit their letter of reference through a secure website.
Deadline for applying is 10 December 2015.
For more information please visit the official website.
