The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa has increased the age limit for prospective candidates who are Refugees, Internally Displaced Persons and Persons with Disabilities from 29 years to 32 years.
Additionally, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa will also conduct the recruitment of candidates from these specific groups (Refugees, Internally Displaced Persons and Persons with Disabilities) on a rolling basis. This means that their applications will be accepted outside the application cycle deadlines.
Both USIU-Africa and the Mastercard Foundation through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program are committed to the creation of a more inclusive and equitable educational environment, and as such, this initiative will break down some of the barriers encountered by Refugees, Internally Displaced Persons and Persons with Disabilities seeking to join the Program.
For further details regarding the application process and eligibility criteria, please visit our website or reach out to us on: mcfsp-enquiries@usiu.ac.ke or on phone: +254 730 116 218 /500 /107 /148.
USIU-Africa has partnered with the Mastercard Foundation in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program since July 2020. This initiative envisions a transformative network of young people and institutions driving inclusive and equitable socio- economic change in Africa. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa provides full-cost scholarships to young Africans who are first-time undergraduate degree-seeking applicants.
By the completion of their studies, Scholars will be required to lead changes in their communities and contribute to meaningful transformation across the continent, having been equipped with internationally recognized and locally applicable qualifications. The scholarship targets young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who are either young men, young women, refugee/displaced youth and youth with disability from across Africa.
Eligibility Criteria
- Economic Disadvantage: Applicants facing socio-economic barriers (economic, displacement, disability or gender constraints).
- Academic talent: Applicants must value learning and have a personal motivation to complete their education. They must meet the minimum university entry grade of a C+ and above or its equivalent as set by the Kenya Commission for University Education. Applicants interested in courses in the school of Pharmacy and Health sciences must have a mean grade of B- or its equivalent and at least a C+ or B- in the cluster subjects of English, Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry. International applicants must meet the equivalent.
- Leadership potential: Scholars must show commitment to becoming change makers, role models and mentors who embrace ethical and transformative leadership.
- Commitment to giving back: Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to improving their communities through previous and/or past engagements with community outreach activities.
Additionally, applicants to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa must:
5. Be 29 years old at the time of application. The age limit for refugees/ displaced youth and youth with disability is 32 years.
6. Must be a first-time undergraduate degree-seeking applicant.
7. Must be interested in any of the approved 13 undergraduate degree programs for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa.
- School of Science and Technology (SST) – Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Technology, Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and Technology; Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Analytics, Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering
- School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (SPHS) - Bachelor of Pharmacy, Bachelor of Science in Epidemiology and Biostatistics;
- School of Communication, Cinematic and Creative Arts (SCCCA) – Bachelor of Arts in Animation, Bachelor of Arts in Film Production and Directing;
- Chandaria School of Business Administration (CSOB) - Bachelor of Science in Finance, Bachelor of Science in International Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Accounting;
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) - Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
More information about the above highlighted degree programs can be found here: undergraduate-programs
For any inquiry or further clarification, please contact the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Team at USIU-Africa on mcfsp-enquiries@usiu.ac.ke or by calling +254 730 116 218 /500 /303 /521 /107 /148.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa is currently conducting interviews for applicants who applied to join the Program for the Fall (September) 2024 semester intake. All applicants who met the shortlisting threshold based on recruitment and selection criteria will be contacted for interviews. The interview process is being conducted concurrently with the shortlisting process and is scheduled to conclude on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
If you do not receive feedback by the above mentioned date, kindly consider your application unsuccessful. For any inquiries, please reach out to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Team at USIU-Africa via email at mcfsp-enquiries@usiu.ac.ke or by phone on +254 730 116 218 /500 /536 /107.
