Explore the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, an active global higher education initiative for talented, service-oriented young people. More than 58,000 scholarships have been committed, with a goal of enabling 100,000 young people to access higher education by 2030.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is an active global higher education initiative designed to develop the next generation of transformative leaders by helping highly talented, service-oriented young people pursue higher education and develop their leadership potential.

The program has already committed more than 58,000 scholarships for young African leaders and aims to significantly expand its impact. By 2030, the Mastercard Foundation says it intends to enable 100,000 young people to access higher education.

The scale of the wider initiative is substantial. The Foundation reports over 58,000 Scholars, more than 20,000 alumni, 62 global partners and US$6.5 billion disbursed toward education and transitions programs in Africa. It also reports that 71% of Scholars are young women.

Importantly, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is not one universal scholarship application with a single deadline. Students interested in becoming Scholars are directed to the program’s affiliated institutions, and the Foundation provides a dedicated “Where to Apply” resource to help candidates identify participating institutions.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at a Glance

Category	Details
Program	Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Status	Active
Program period	August 2012–Ongoing
Main focus	Higher education, leadership and transitions into work
Target group highlighted	Young African leaders
Scholarships committed	More than 58,000
Goal by 2030	Enable 100,000 young people to access higher education
Scholars who are young women	71%
Alumni	More than 20,000
Global partners	62
Education and transitions funding reported	US$6.5 billion disbursed in Africa
Application model	Through affiliated/partner institutions
Universal deadline	No
Universal scholarship amount	Not stated
Focus areas listed	Education and Transitions, Refugees and Displaced Persons, Digital

What Is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is designed to support highly talented and service-oriented young people in accessing higher education while developing their potential as future leaders.

The Foundation describes the initiative as a:

global program designed to develop the next generation of transformative leaders.

Higher education is only one part of the model.

The program also focuses on:

Leadership
Transition into work
Community
Inclusion
Long-term social and economic change

What Is the Goal of the Scholars Program?

The Mastercard Foundation envisions a network of young people and institutions helping drive:

inclusive and equitable socio-economic change in Africa.

To work toward that goal, the Foundation partners with:

Educational institutions
NGOs
Mastercard Foundation Scholars
Alumni communities

These partnerships are intended to help young people access relevant and inclusive education, transition into dignified and fulfilling work and lead transformative lives.

More Than 58,000 Scholarships Committed

The scale of the program is one of its most significant features.

The Mastercard Foundation states that the Scholars Program has committed:

more than 58,000 scholarships

for young African leaders.

These scholarships form part of a much broader education and leadership ecosystem rather than one annual scholarship competition.

100,000 Young People Targeted by 2030

The Foundation intends to expand the initiative considerably.

Its stated goal is to enable:

100,000 young people to access higher education by 2030.

The program’s numerical overview similarly identifies 100,000 as its scholarship commitment goal for 2030.

This is a long-term program target and should not be interpreted as 100,000 scholarships currently open for applications at one time.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program in Numbers

The Foundation provides several figures illustrating the program’s reach.

Measure	Reported Figure
Mastercard Foundation Scholars	58,000+
Young women among Scholars	71%
Alumni	20,000+
2030 scholarship commitment goal	100,000
Education and transitions funding disbursed in Africa	US$6.5 billion
Global partners	62

These figures are reported by the Mastercard Foundation on the program page.

What Does the US$6.5 Billion Figure Mean?

The Foundation reports:

US$6.5 billion

as the amount it has disbursed toward education and transitions programs in Africa.

This figure should be interpreted carefully.

It is not a US$6.5 billion scholarship fund currently open for individual students to apply for.

It is a cumulative program-level figure describing funding disbursed toward education and transitions initiatives in Africa.

Who Is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program For?

The official description emphasizes:

highly talented, service-oriented young people

who can pursue higher education and develop their leadership potential.

The Foundation’s impact section specifically describes the scholarships as supporting:

young African leaders.

However, detailed eligibility requirements are not universal across every participating institution.

Applicants should check the requirements of the institution and scholarship opportunity through which they intend to apply.

Is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Only About Academic Performance?

The Foundation’s description emphasizes highly talented young people, but also specifically identifies them as:

service-oriented.

The broader program also focuses heavily on leadership and transformative impact.

Applicants should therefore understand that the initiative is positioned around more than simply gaining admission to a university.

Leadership Development

Developing leadership potential is explicitly part of the Scholars Program’s purpose.

The program aims to help develop a new generation of:

transformative leaders.

This leadership focus continues beyond university through the Scholars and Alumni communities.

Transition From Education Into Work

The Mastercard Foundation says it works with institutions, NGOs, Scholars and alumni to create conditions that enable young people to:

Attain inclusive and relevant education
Transition smoothly into dignified and fulfilling work
Lead transformative lives

This makes career transition an important part of the program’s broader approach.

How Does the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Work?

The program uses partnerships with higher education institutions.

The Foundation says these partnerships are intended to provide:

robust support to individual Mastercard Foundation Scholars, particularly during their academic journeys and transitions into work.

This partnership structure is important for prospective applicants because applications are connected to affiliated institutions rather than managed as one generic global application.

How to Apply for a Mastercard Foundation Scholarship

The Foundation directs prospective Scholars to identify an institution that can help them achieve their academic goals.

Its “How to Apply” resource states:

“Find an institution that will help you achieve your academic goals.”

A practical application process therefore begins with the participating institution.

Step 1 — Find an Affiliated Institution

Use the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program’s Where to Apply resource.

Step 2 — Review the Institution’s Current Scholarship Opportunity

Check whether the institution is currently accepting applications.

Step 3 — Check Eligibility

Eligibility may differ according to institution, degree and scholarship arrangement.

Step 4 — Check the Academic Admission Requirements

Scholarship consideration and university admission requirements may involve separate conditions.

Step 5 — Review the Scholarship Application Instructions

Follow the instructions published for that specific partner institution.

Step 6 — Check the Deadline

There is no universal deadline shown on the main Scholars Program page.

Step 7 — Submit the Required Application

Complete all required admission and scholarship steps according to the institution’s instructions.

Is There One Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Application?

No single universal application is provided on the main program page.

Instead, prospective Scholars are directed to learn about:

affiliated institutions

and use the Foundation’s:

Where to Apply

resource.

Applicants should therefore avoid generic third-party “Mastercard scholarship application forms” unless they can confirm that the application route is associated with an official program partner.

What Is the Application Deadline?

There is no single program-wide deadline stated in the supplied source.

The Foundation’s FAQ explicitly recognizes the question:

“When is the application deadline?”

Because applications operate through participating institutions, candidates should verify the deadline attached to the specific opportunity they intend to pursue.

Is the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Fully Funded?

The supplied main program page does not provide a universal funding package that applies identically to every Scholar at every institution.

It includes an FAQ titled:

“What does the scholarship cover?”

but the answer is not expanded in the supplied source.

Therefore, it would be inappropriate to claim from this page alone that every Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program award automatically includes the same combination of:

Full tuition
Accommodation
Meals
Airfare
Visa costs
Laptop
Books
Monthly stipend

Funding details should be verified for the specific partner institution and scholarship call.

How Much Is the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship?

There is no universal individual scholarship amount stated on the supplied program page.

The US$6.5 billion figure should not be presented as an individual scholarship amount or an open funding pool. It refers to the amount the Foundation reports having disbursed toward education and transitions programs in Africa.

Individual scholarship support may vary by program and institution.

Does the Program Support Master’s Students?

The Foundation’s main page includes a specific FAQ asking whether the Scholars Program provides support for:

master’s degrees and PhD/doctoral students.

However, the answer is not visible in the supplied source.

Applicants should therefore check the participating institution’s current offering to determine which study levels are funded there.

Does the Program Support PhD Students?

The same limitation applies to doctoral funding.

The page acknowledges this question in its FAQ, but the supplied source does not contain the expanded answer.

Applicants should not assume that every partner university offers Mastercard Foundation funding for PhD study.

Undergraduate Opportunities

The main source does not provide a universal statement saying every participating institution offers undergraduate scholarships.

Study levels should be verified through the relevant partner institution.

Partner Institutions

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program works through partnerships with higher education institutions.

Applicants should use the Foundation’s official Where to Apply resource to identify affiliated institutions and then review each institution’s current application information.

Does Admission Guarantee a Mastercard Foundation Scholarship?

Applicants should not assume so.

The program page itself includes the FAQ:

“Does acceptance to a partner university guarantee a scholarship?”

The supplied source does not contain the expanded answer, so applicants should follow the individual institution’s scholarship-selection rules rather than assuming academic admission automatically produces funding.

Can You Apply to Multiple Partner Institutions?

The Foundation’s FAQ also specifically addresses whether:

multiple applications can be considered simultaneously.

The answer is not visible in the supplied source.

Candidates planning multiple applications should therefore consult the current FAQ or the relevant institutions before proceeding.

Application Fees

The program’s FAQ includes questions covering:

How much an application fee costs
What support is available for applicants who cannot afford admission fees

Because the answers are not included in the supplied source, applicants should check the current institution-specific guidance rather than assuming application fees are universally waived.

Scholarship Application Tips

The Mastercard Foundation provides a dedicated:

Scholarship Application Tips

series.

The Foundation says this resource provides advice on:

Crafting a strong application
What applicants should do
What applicants should avoid
Making an application stand out

Applicants preparing for competitive scholarship selection may benefit from reviewing this guidance before submitting.

Inclusive Approach

Inclusion is a significant part of the Mastercard Foundation’s broader strategy.

The Foundation says inclusive economic growth is essential to unlocking the potential of:

Young people in Africa
Indigenous youth in Canada

It specifically highlights creating pathways for:

Women
Marginalized groups

Women in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

The Foundation reports that:

71% of Mastercard Foundation Scholars are young women.

This is a program-level statistic rather than an eligibility quota for every individual scholarship.

Refugees and Displaced Persons

The program page lists:

Refugees and Displaced Persons

among its focus areas.

Applicants from displaced or refugee backgrounds should explore relevant partner opportunities rather than assuming that every scholarship uses identical eligibility rules.

Digital Opportunities

The program also lists:

Digital

as a focus area alongside Education and Transitions and Refugees and Displaced Persons.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Countries

The program page identifies countries including:

Democratic Republic of Congo
Somalia
Kenya
South Africa
France

with additional countries accessible through the expanded program listing.

This should not be interpreted as a complete list of applicant nationalities.

Is the Program Still Active?

Yes.

The official program page identifies its status as:

Active

and its period as:

August 2012–Ongoing.

This is important because the Scholars Program is a continuing initiative rather than a one-time scholarship campaign.

Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network

The program extends beyond graduation.

The Foundation reports more than:

20,000 Scholars Program alumni.

Its broader Scholars Alumni Network aims to mobilize alumni from several Foundation-associated initiatives to become a force for change.

More Than a Scholarship

The Foundation explicitly describes the Scholars Program as:

“more than a scholarship program. It is a community.”

This helps distinguish the initiative from funding programs focused only on paying education costs.

The Scholars Program combines education with:

Community
Leadership
Transition into work
Alumni engagement
Social impact

Social Venture Challenge

The program ecosystem also includes opportunities for emerging social entrepreneurs.

The Foundation describes Mastercard Foundation Scholars participating in the Resolution Social Venture Challenge at the Baobab Summit.

The competition is designed to recognize and celebrate young leaders committed to social change in Africa and beyond.

This is a separate opportunity within the Scholars community and should not be confused with the core scholarship itself.

How Competitive Is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?

The supplied source does not provide a universal acceptance rate.

Because applications and selection can operate through multiple partner institutions, a single acceptance percentage could also be misleading.

Applicants should assess competitiveness at the individual institution level where relevant data are available.

What Makes a Strong Applicant?

The official description provides useful clues.

The program is intended for:

highly talented, service-oriented young people

and focuses on developing:

transformative leaders.

Applicants should therefore think carefully about how their academic ambitions connect with:

Service
Leadership
Community impact
Long-term contribution

The exact selection criteria must still be checked with the relevant institution.

Documents You May Need

The supplied source does not provide one universal document checklist.

Because applications are linked to participating institutions, required documents can vary.

Applicants should obtain the official checklist from the institution through which they are applying.

Do not assume that every Mastercard Foundation scholarship requires exactly the same:

Academic transcripts
Recommendation letters
Essays
Financial documents
Identification
Language tests

unless those requirements are confirmed for the relevant call.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Looking for One Global Application Form

The Foundation directs applicants toward affiliated institutions.

Assuming Every Partner Has Applications Open

Partner participation does not mean every institution has an active scholarship call at all times.

Assuming One Deadline Applies Worldwide

Deadlines can differ.

Treating US$6.5 Billion as Available Scholarship Money

That figure represents reported disbursement toward education and transitions programs in Africa, not a current student application pool.

Assuming 100,000 Scholarships Are Currently Open

The 100,000 figure is a 2030 impact goal, not the number of current vacancies.

Assuming Every Scholarship Has Identical Benefits

Check the partner institution’s funding package.

Assuming Admission Guarantees Funding

Scholarship selection should be verified separately.

Ignoring the Leadership and Service Focus

The program is explicitly designed to develop transformative leaders and describes its target participants as service-oriented.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?

It is a global initiative designed to help highly talented, service-oriented young people pursue higher education and develop their leadership potential.

Is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program active?

Yes.

Its official status is active, with a program period of August 2012–ongoing.

How many scholarships have been committed?

More than 58,000 scholarships have been committed for young African leaders.

What is the goal for 2030?

The Foundation aims to enable 100,000 young people to access higher education by 2030.

Are 100,000 scholarships currently open?

The source does not say that. The figure is a long-term 2030 target.

How many Scholars are there?

The Foundation reports more than 58,000 Scholars and growing.

How many are young women?

The Foundation reports that 71% are young women.

How many alumni are there?

More than 20,000.

How many global partners does the program have?

The Foundation reports 62 global partners.

What does the US$6.5 billion figure represent?

It is the amount the Foundation says it has disbursed toward education and transitions programs in Africa.

Where do students apply?

Prospective Scholars are directed to affiliated institutions through the program’s Where to Apply resource.

Is there one application deadline?

The supplied source does not provide a universal deadline.

Is there one scholarship amount?

No universal individual award amount is stated.

Is the scholarship fully funded?

The supplied page does not contain enough detail to establish one identical funding package for every partner institution.

Does the program support master’s degrees?

The page contains an FAQ addressing master’s and doctoral support, but its answer is not expanded in the supplied source. Applicants should verify the current offering at their intended institution.

Does the program support PhDs?

The same FAQ addresses PhD and doctoral study, but the answer is not visible in the supplied source.

Does admission to a partner university guarantee a scholarship?

The source raises this question in its FAQ but does not provide the expanded answer in the supplied material. Applicants should check the relevant partner’s selection rules.

Why This Opportunity Matters

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program stands out because its ambition extends beyond paying for higher education.

It combines education with:

Leadership development
Inclusion
Transition into dignified work
Community
Alumni engagement
Social impact

The Foundation has already committed more than 58,000 scholarships, reports more than 20,000 alumni and is working toward enabling 100,000 young people to access higher education by 2030.

For young people seeking education opportunities, particularly those interested in leadership and contributing to Africa’s social and economic development, the Scholars Program is therefore an important initiative to monitor.

Final Thoughts

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program remains active and continues to expand its higher education and leadership impact.

The initiative has committed more than 58,000 scholarships for young African leaders, and the Foundation aims to enable 100,000 young people to access higher education by 2030.

The program reports that 71% of Scholars are young women, has more than 20,000 alumni, works with 62 global partners, and has disbursed US$6.5 billion toward education and transitions programs in Africa.

Prospective applicants should remember that this is not one scholarship with one global application deadline. The Foundation directs students to its affiliated institutions to identify where they can apply.

Applicants should therefore identify a participating institution, verify whether a current scholarship opportunity is available, check its study-level and nationality requirements, review the funding package and submit their application according to that institution’s instructions.

The most important takeaway is that the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is not simply a scholarship payment mechanism. The Foundation describes it as a community designed to help young people access education, develop leadership potential, transition into meaningful work and contribute to transformative change.

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