I'm a high school junior from Africa planning to study in the US. Are there scholarships specifically for African international undergraduates? If anyone has resources or tips on applying, I'd love to hear about it.
Absolutely, there's a number of scholarships available for African international students studying at the undergraduate level in the U.S.
1. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program - This program is quite popular. Many top universities such as Duke University, University of California, Berkeley, and Michigan State University are partners in this program. It provides full scholarships for students from Sub-Saharan Africa.
2. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship - Although this is a postgraduate scholarship, I wanted to include it here so that you can plan ahead. It provides scholarships to students from selected developing countries, with preference given to those who cannot otherwise afford to study in the U.S.
3. Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders - This program supports young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa in the fields of business, civic engagement, and public administration for six weeks of academic and leadership skills development on U.S. university campuses.
4. African Leadership Academy: Anzisha Prize - This is essentially an entrepreneurship award. You could consider starting a project or a business this year, and if it has a significant impact, you would be eligible for the Anzisha Prize.
When applying for scholarships, it's important to remember a few things. Firstly, eligibility criteria may vary considerably. Always verify that you meet the scholarship criteria before applying. Secondly, apply as early as possible. Often, some scholarships have deadlines that may be even a year in advance. Thirdly, tailor each application - try to make your application stand out by truly expressing your individuality and experiences.
Don't forget to also check out scholarship databases such as Fastweb and Appily. They can be great resources to find scholarships that aren't specifically for international students but are open to all students.
Best of luck with your search!
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