African applicants make up a significant share of international scholarship seekers, and several major US-based programs were either built specifically for African students or consistently favor them through regional partnerships.
The ten options below combine Africa-focused programs with broader scholarships that remain genuinely accessible to strong African applicants.
1. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Arizona State University
The [Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Arizona State University](/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program-asu/) funds undergraduate and graduate study specifically for academically strong students from Africa, covering tuition, housing, books, and travel.
2. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Partner Universities
Beyond Arizona State, the Mastercard Foundation partners with a network of universities across the US and beyond to fund African students facing economic hardship, with each partner campus running its own selection process.
3. African Leadership Academy University Placement Partnerships
Graduates of the African Leadership Academy and similar pan-African secondary programs are regularly placed into partner US universities with accompanying financial aid packages negotiated as part of these relationships.
4. Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
Open to professionals from eligible African countries alongside other regions, this State Department program funds a year of non-degree graduate study and leadership training in the US.
5. Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The [Fulbright Foreign Student Program](/foreign-fulbright-student-program/) operates in the large majority of African countries through local bi-national commissions or embassies, funding master’s and PhD study across almost any field.
6. AAUW International Fellowships
African women pursuing graduate study in the US can apply for the [AAUW International Fellowship](/aauw-international-fellowship/) alongside applicants from the rest of the world, with funding covering a significant share of tuition and living costs.
7. Rotary Global Grant Scholarship
Rotary clubs across many African countries sponsor candidates for US graduate study tied to one of the organization’s recognized areas of focus, such as disease prevention or water and sanitation.
8. Clark University Global Scholars Program
Clark University’s full-tuition undergraduate scholarship is open globally and has a consistent track record of admitting strong African applicants with demonstrated leadership experience.
9. Berea College No-Tuition Promise
The [Berea College No-Tuition Promise](/berea-college-no-tuition-promise/) extends to a small number of international students each year, including applicants from Africa, with campus work built into the arrangement.
10. P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship
Women from African countries pursuing graduate study at a US or Canadian university can apply for this scholarship, intended to help cover tuition and related costs.
Because several of these programs run region-specific information sessions in partnership with local universities and embassies, following each sponsor’s social media and newsletter updates is a practical way to catch application windows early.
Local US embassy education advising centers, present in most African capitals, offer free guidance on matching a student.’s profile to the right scholarship and can help verify that a program is genuinely active before time is spent on an application.
Building a relationship with alumni from a target program, many of whom are active on professional networking platforms, often provides more realistic insight into selection priorities than the official program materials alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these scholarships limited to specific African countries?
Some, like the Mastercard Foundation programs, focus on students facing genuine economic hardship across the continent, while others, like Fulbright, operate through country-specific commissions with their own quotas.
Do African applicants need to already be enrolled in a US university?
No, most of these programs, including Fulbright and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, fund the full process from initial admission through graduation.
Is English proficiency testing required for African applicants?
Yes, in most cases, unless prior education was conducted entirely in English, a TOEFL or IELTS score is required alongside the standard application.
Can African students apply for more than one of these scholarships at once?
Generally yes, though most programs expect to be the primary source of funding once an offer is accepted, so holding multiple full scholarships simultaneously is uncommon.
Are undergraduate students eligible for any of these programs?
Yes, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Clark University Global Scholars, and Berea College are all aimed at incoming undergraduates.
How competitive are these scholarships for African applicants?
Competition varies widely, with large, well-known programs like Fulbright drawing many applicants per country, while smaller regional partnerships can have better odds for well-matched candidates.
Do these scholarships support students in every academic field?
Most support a broad range of fields, though some foundation-funded programs prioritize subjects connected to their own development or leadership mission.