MasterCard Foundation Scholarship 2016/2017

The University of California, Berkeley has partnered with The MasterCard Foundation in a collaborative, global network of education institutions and non-profit organizations that believe education is a catalyst for social and economic advancement. 
The future of Africa will be shaped by its young people, including those talented, yet economically disadvantaged students who face significant barriers to accessing quality education.


The Program aims to benefit 17,000 young people over 10 years, mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa. At UC Berkeley, the Program will provide comprehensive financial, social, and academic support up to 118 students from 2012 to 2020, and is open to both undergraduate and professional Master’s students.




Eligibility Requirements:

The five main eligibility criteria are:

• Being a citizen of a Sub-Saharan African country – If you have refugee status, are stateless, or have other questions regarding your citizenship, you may still be eligible. Please contact us directly to clarify. This scholarship is not intended for citizens of North African countries.
• Excelling academically – All prospective Scholars must first be admitted to UC Berkeley to be considered for the Scholarship. An important criteria for admission to the University is demonstrated academic excellence.
• Coming from an economically disadvantaged background – We aim to admit those from the bottom two income quintiles per country. This Scholarship is designed for those extremely talented individuals who have no other means of acquiring the further education required to help realize their dreams and ambitions.
• Having expressed the desire and intention to return to your home country after completing your studies – We are looking for students who are engaged with and passionate about issues affecting their communities, and who will take advantage of their education at UC Berkeley to better equip themselves with the knowledge and training to address these issues upon return. While important work can be done from abroad, the intention of this Program is to enable Scholars to return home, after forming valuable professional connections through internship and job placements.
• Having demonstrated the will to give back to your community, country, or continent – We are looking for well-rounded students who are engaged in activities beyond the classroom. Some may be directly related to your field of study, but this may also include other issues (social, economic, political) that you are working on and passionate about. Applicants should elaborate on their achievements both in their application to UC Berkeley, and then later on the Scholarship application.

Benefits:
The Program is designed to provide holistic support, including:

• Comprehensive scholarships (school fees, living expenses, books, stipends, transportation).
• Transition support into higher education or the workforce in Africa.
• Alumni network of next-generation leaders committed to service.
• Mentoring and counselling including emotional and academic support.
• Service and experiential learning (volunteerism, internships, entrepreneurship, ICT).

How to Apply