ĢƵ

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

  1. What is the purpose of this scholarship?
    The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at ĢƵ aims to bring together gifted leaders and changemakers from across Africa at the master’s level who aspire to improve and transform nutrition, public health, public policy, and sustainable agriculture across the African continent.
  2. What are the benefits of the scholarship?
    The Mastercard Foundation Scholarship is comprehensive and it covers not only full tuition but all costs related to attending ĢƵ. That includes:
    • Pre-arrival and immigration support
    • Full international student tuition
    • On-campus housing
    • Personal monthly stipend
    • Academic tools and resources
  3. How many scholarships are available?
    There are 35 scholarships available every year across 11 graduate programs.
  4. Who is eligible to apply for the scholarship?
    The scholarship is intended for citizen and residents of the African continent. Priority will be given to women, people living with disabilities, refugees and internally displaced people. A comprehensive list of the requirements is available on the “Eligibility” page.
  5. Is attending an information session mandatory?
    Yes. The ĢƵ Mastercard Foundation Application Form will be shared with applicants who register for and attend one of the five information sessions.
  6. Is the scholarship available at the undergraduate level?
    No. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at ĢƵ offers scholarships at the graduate level.
  7. Can I apply for other scholarships at ĢƵ even if I am not selected for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?
    Yes. Each scholarship has its own application process and requirements.

Eligibility

  1. What are the eligibility requirements for ĢƵ Graduate Programs?
    The general eligibility requirements can be found on the ĢƵ Graduate ĢƵ website. Each program has additional eligibility requirements such as relevance of prior studies, minimum mathematics requirements, work experience, etc. Please consult your program requirements for more information.
  2. How do I verify if my degree meets the equivalency requirements for ĢƵ Graduate Programs?
    Use the educational credentials and grade equivalencies tool to assess your degree equivalency.
  3. Where can I find the specific departmental requirements for the program I am interested in?
    Review the list of eligible programs.
  4. Can I apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program if I do not meet the ĢƵ graduate admission requirements?
    No.

Application Forms

  1. How do I create a ĢƵ Graduate Application profile?
    Applicants who pass the pre-screening phase will receive instructions on how to create a ĢƵ Graduate Application profile.
  2. Where can I find the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application form?
    Please refer to our “Apply” page for more information. Please note the application form will only be available to applicants who have attended an information session.
  3. What happens if I do not complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application form by the deadline?
    All applications must be received by the stated deadline. No late applications will be considered.

Pre-Screening

  1. What does the pre-screening phase involve?
    Pre-screening for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a two-step process. Your preliminary answers will be evaluated, applicants who meet the minimum criteria will be contacted and invited to submit additional information.
  2. How long does it take to be notified of the results of the pre-screening phase?
    Applicants can expect to hear from us within 4 to 6 weeks of submitting their application. Please note the processing time is subject to change depending on the volume of applications received.
  3. What criteria are used during the pre-screening phase for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?
    • Age requirement
    • Country of residence and citizenship
    • Motivation for applying for the scholarship
    • Must NOT have started or completed a master's degree
    • Meet the academic requirements for the program of interest

Submission of Application to ĢƵ

  1. What happens if I am successful during the pre-screening phase?
    Successfully pre-screened applicants will be offered a fee-waiver and instructions on how to apply for admission to the University. Only students who received the fee-waiver will be considered for the scholarship. Applicants who apply directly to ĢƵ without receiving the fee waiver will not be eligible for the scholarship

Conditional Admission & Scholarship Decision

  1. What is Conditional Admission?
    Under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application process, prospective Mastercard Foundation Scholars are offered conditional admission to ĢƵ. Admission is conditional upon being awarded the scholarship to participate in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. It is not a regular admission to the University.
  2. When will I be notified if I am admitted to my program of study at ĢƵ?
    Admission decisions are issued on a rolling basis from February – March.
  3. What happens if I am admitted to ĢƵ but not awarded the scholarship to participate in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?
    If you are not awarded the scholarship, your conditional admission will be withdrawn. Unsuccessful applicants are welcome to reapply the following year.
  4. If admitted, when will I know if I have been selected for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?
    Scholarship decisions are communicated in late March, early April.
  5. Can I appeal an admission and scholarship decision?
    No. Admission to ĢƵ is extremely competitive and equally so for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. Only a limited number of applicants make it through the process due to the limited number of scholarships available and the exceptionally large and talented applicant pool.
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