The African continent is still in its developmental stage, and African students always seek ways of migrating to the United States for educational purposes without minding the high cost of living.
Africans spend a minimum of 25,000 USD to process their Visa and complete their admission processes (tuition+accommodation inclusive). However, not everyone has substantial financial backing to sponsor their bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or Ph.D. in the United States.
Suppose you fall between those categories of Africans who can’t afford to study in the USA. In that case, scholarships may be a great option for you, and we’ve compiled a list of 20 of the best scholarships in the USA that accept African students.
20 Scholarships In the USA For African Students
United States Scholarship to Africa
This scholarship program is mainly designed for African undergraduate and graduate students who require financial support to complete their educational program in the United States. The beneficiaries of this scholarship will receive free education benefits as well as a $4,000 yearly stipend, adults below age 40 are usually selected to receive the grants provided.
Application for the United States scholarship to Africa is to be submitted online, students are to attach an essay writing demonstrating their passion for education as well as the developmental goals they envision for their homeland.
MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program
The Mastercard Foundation Scholarship program was primarily launched to provide financial support to students who aspire to study abroad. African citizens can obtain a high school diploma or a university degree from the United States with the aid of this scholarship scheme.
The purpose of this scheme is to help nurture potential world leaders who will help transform the African continent. Potential leaders are welcome to study at the following tertiary institutions while receiving scholarship benefits under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars program;
- Stanford University
- Michigan State University (MSU)
- University Of California, Berkeley
- Wellesley College
- Duke University
- Arizona State University (ASU)
Quick Tip; The selection criteria for each university may vary from each other, and the University get to decide the total number of people who’ll I beneficiaries of this scholarship program.
International Association of Black Actuaries Scholarship
The International Association for black actuaries scholarship is another scholarship primarily designed for African students or people who identify with the black race. Applicants must be enrolled in their preferred choice of University in the USA before applying for a chance to receive up to $5,000 grants/year.
- Eligible students must possess the following qualities;
- An approved student visa by the US embassy.
- A minimum of 3.0 GPA
- A minimum of a 600 SAT score or higher.
ExxonMobil Middle East and North Africa Scholars Program
This scholarship program was designed to give scholars from Middle and North Africa a chance at studying in top-rated universities in the United States.
The recipients of this scheme are entitled to receive a fully funded scholarship award that’s sponsored by ExxonMobil.
Students who possess a graduate record exam (GRE) test result, an international passport, and a bachelor’s degree in science or engineering courses are advised to apply. If selected, you get to study in top universities in the US.
Miriam J. Kelley African Scholarship
Michigan State University scholarship’s main focus is on female African students who have been selected to study at an accredited university in the United States. The selected students for this scholarship will receive up to 1,000 USD grants each year to support their education costs and other personal needs.
The application process is easy, you only have to submit an essay describing your aims and objectives if given the chance to receive the Miriam J. Kelley scholarship benefit. Your essay should be convincing enough for the scholarship review team, and you can explain how you plan to achieve your goals.
Quick Tip: Your goal focus should be towards the development of Africa and, you can visit here for more information.
Google Lime Scholarship
The Google Lime scholarship founders recognize how financial constraints negatively affect people living with disabilities, and further restrict them from pursuing their dream tech courses. The scholarship recipient will receive a sum total of 10,000 USD to assist them in their journey towards becoming tech experts.
The scholarship scheme is only opportune to students who are living with disabilities and are studying any course relating to IT, computer engineering, computer science, etc.
PEO International Peace Scholarship Fund
The PEO International scholarship seeks to empower women with adequate educational skills in the USA while also promoting international relations. The PEO scholarship awardees stand a chance at receiving up to $12,000 to advance their course of study.
To apply, students must be enrolled to study their desired course program, and they must possess an equivalent bachelor’s degree before they’re considered for admission. Women from North America are excluded from benefiting from the PEO International Peace Scholarship fund.
Ruby Newhall Memorial Scholarships
The Rugby Newhall Memorial Scholarship Founders recognize young academic scholars who are financially limited from advancing their education outside the shores of Africa.
The scholarship initiative supports various courses of study ranging from science, religious studies, education, agriculture, journalism, etc however, scholarship awardees must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA in other to retain their scholarship offers.
To apply, students must submit their application by email alongside a copy of their CV and a copy of their Visa here.
The NextGen Scholarship Fund
The NextGen scholarship founders utilize its financial resources in providing partial funding for selected students who aspire to study in Washington state USA.
African students are also welcome to partake in this ongoing scholarship and stand a chance at receiving $1,000 every academic session.
Postgraduate degree students are welcome to apply but must provide substantial proof of not being able to sponsor their education.
Zawadi Africa Education Fund
Google incorporated partners with the Zawadi Africa education fund, which provides scholarship opportunities for African women who desire to advance their education after completing their high school program.
The scholarship scheme encourages women who desire to become tech innovators or leaders. Students whose main focus is related to computer science, and computer engineering are advised to apply for the scholarship program.
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarships
Are you below the age of 30, and you’re looking to study in the United States on scholarship merits then you should consider taking a sneak peek at the Aga Khan Foundation scholarships.
However, the potential beneficiaries must provide proof of having no other means of supporting their education (either via student loans, grants, etc.) before they’re considered eligible for this program.
You can start your journey towards earning a master’s degree or doctorate in the United States however, the scholarship award is highly competitive and only the best-performing students stand a chance.
The Aga Khan scholarship awardees are also entitled to student loan benefits since the scholarship award may not be enough to cover the student’s educational costs.
Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
The World Bank and the Government of Japan, through the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program, offer scholarships for Master’s Degrees to postgraduate students from developing countries such as Africa.
Eligible applicants should propose to study development-related programs at the master’s level, in fields such as economics, health, education, agriculture, environment, natural resource management, or other development‑related subjects.
Coca-Cola Africa Foundation Scholarships
The Coca-Cola beverage company is famous in Africa for being a leading beverage-producing company, but do you know the company partners with Zawadi Africa Education to provide financial assistance to students who are looking to study outside the shores of the African continent?
To apply, African students must possess an equivalent of a high school diploma alongside a language proficiency test result. The Coca-Cola Africa scholarship founders can take back its scholarship awards from students who fail to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA.
Dag Hammarskjöld Fund for Journalists Scholarship
This scholarship program provides a forum for freelance and fully employed journalists to unlock their potential in journalism. Selected applicants are usually people who are passionate about journalism and international relations at large.
Recipients of this scholarship program will be honored with working with the United Nations and will get to interact with other experts in the field. Applicants must possess a Valid passport and visa to the United States, as well as journalism equipment.
MMMF Scholarship For Women
The Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund (MMMF) scholarship program is designed for distinctive women whose nationalities are associated with developing countries like Africa or Asia.
The purpose of this scheme is to provide financial support and improve the educational standards of women living in overpopulated continents such as Africa
To apply, female postgraduate students must currently be enrolled in any accredited university in the United States before they’re considered for admission.
AAUW International Fellowships
African women looking to study in the United States can apply for the AAUW international fellowship. Qualified students get to receive between $20,000 to $50,000 to sponsor their education.
Applications are opened to students from Asia and Africa who hold the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree. However, people who identify as citizens of the United States are not allowed to apply for this scholarship program.
Quick tip: Male applicants will not be considered for this scholarship.
Harambe Fletcher Scholarships (Tufts University)
The Harambe Fletcher scholarship scheme is another scholarship program primarily designed for all citizens and non-citizens of the United States.
The scholarship offer is not available to undergraduate students or high school graduates, since its main focus is on postgraduate studies. Students whose course preference is associated with law, international development, etc. are advised to apply.
Fulbright Student Scholarship Program
This is a top choice for African students who are seeking fully funded scholarships in the United States without having to worry about living costs or stationeries, the scholarship offer is presented to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
The eligibility criteria for the Fulbright scholarship program vary from country to country, it’s best to visit the official website for more information. However, an English proficiency test and enrollment into a US university are one of the major criteria for being selected.
Quick tip: Students who are studying courses related to Medicine or clinical medical research are not allowed to apply for the scholarship program.
African Palliative Care Nursing Scholarship Fund
The African palliative care nursing scholarship offer is presented to nursing students. The purpose of this scheme is to strengthen and encourage medical practitioners who will help improve the health and wellness of African citizens.
Application submission is by email, and applicants must visit the official website to download the application form before forwarding.
AWS International Scholarship
The AWS international scholarship program accepts applications from African students who are looking to temporarily reside and study in the United States. The scholarship grants are available to students whose course preferences are related to welding, beneficiaries of this scholarship program can receive the grants more than once.
The scholarship benefits approximately sums up to $3,000/yr and it’s only available to full-time undergraduate or postgraduate students.
Quick Tip; Students who identify as a national member of the United States are ineligible to receive this scholarship.
