Are you interested in pursuing studies in the USA on a scholarship? Numerous American universities and organizations extend scholarships for undergraduate, Masters, or PhD programs to African and developing country students. Some of these scholarships are exclusively designated for international students hailing from Africa.
For international students, there are options to apply for credit card loans to fund their studies in the USA or Canada. Additionally, there are opportunities for free or partially subsidized accommodation through housing, apartments, and mortgages tailored for international students.
While studying on a scholarship in the USA or Canada, there are various avenues to generate income. Moreover, insurance and credit loans are accessible to international students in the USA.
List of Fully funded Scholarships in USA for International Students
Here is a list of fully funded scholarships available in the USA for international students, specifically tailored for African students:
MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program
The MasterCard Foundation Scholars program aims to educate and empower economically disadvantaged young individuals in Africa and developing countries who exhibit a commitment to giving back and contributing to the progress of the continent. This program is projected to benefit 15,000 youth within 8 to 10 years.
MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at Wellesley College
Wellesley College, as part of the Scholars Program, will offer comprehensive support to nine (9) African women, including scholarships, mentorship, counseling, and internship opportunities for undergraduate studies.
Level of Study: Undergraduate degree
MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at Stanford University
The MasterCard Foundation initiative at Stanford University in the USA is committed to providing extensive support to 20 talented but economically disadvantaged students from Africa over the next eight years. This program will sponsor five (5) undergraduates from Sub-Saharan Africa annually.
Level of Study: Undergraduate degree
Previous Application Deadline: September to around January/February.
MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at Arizona State University (ASU)
In 2012, Arizona State University welcomed its first class of MasterCard Foundation Scholars, comprising 10 undergraduate students from seven African nations.
Level of Study: Undergraduate degree
MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at Michigan State University (MSU)
Michigan State University has partnered with the MasterCard Foundation to provide full tuition scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students from Sub-Saharan Africa. The foundation will allocate $45 million to support 185 scholars throughout the nine-year program, including 100 four-year undergraduates and 85 master’s degree students.
Level of Study: Undergraduate and Master’s degree
Previous Application Deadline: 15 February
Foreign Fulbright Student Program
The Fulbright Program offers scholarships for international students seeking to pursue either a Master’s or PhD degree. These scholarships can also be granted for non-degree postgraduate studies. The grant encompasses tuition fees, textbooks, airfare, a living stipend, and health insurance.
Level of Study: Master’s and PhD degrees across various fields, excluding medical degree programs or clinical medical research.
Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program Japan
The World Bank, in collaboration with the Government of Japan, extends scholarships for Master’s Degree programs to postgraduate students from developing countries.
Level of Study: Master’s degree
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowships for International Students USA
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program is a non-degree initiative tailored for experienced professionals looking to enhance their leadership capabilities through a reciprocal exchange of knowledge and insights on issues of shared concern in both the U.S. and the Fellows’ respective home countries.
Level of Study: Fellowship for professionals
Scholarship Page for African Countries and Non-African Countries
Zawadi Africa Education Fund Undergraduate Scholarship for Women - In Partnership with Google
The Zawadi Africa Education Fund is a program designed to offer undergraduate scholarships to academically gifted girls/women from disadvantaged backgrounds in Africa, enabling them to pursue higher education in the USA, Uganda, Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya.
Level of Study: Undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and/or ICT.
MMMF Scholarship for Women from Developing Countries in US & Canada
The Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund (MMMF) provides grants to women from developing countries to support their educational pursuits and enhance their leadership abilities, ultimately contributing to the betterment of the lives of women and children in developing nations. The MMMF awards grants are approximately $12,000 each.
Eligible applicants are women from developing countries currently enrolled at accredited universities in the US or Canada.
Level of Study: Master’s degree
AAUW International Fellowship for Women
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) bestows International Fellowships for full-time study or research in the United States to women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Applicants should have earned the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree by September 30 of the previous year and must have applied to their proposed institutions of study by the time of application. The scholarship amounts to $18,000 for Masters, $20,000 for PhD, and $30,000 for Postdoctoral students.
Level of Study: Masters, PhD, and Postdoctoral degrees.
Harambe Fletcher Scholarships for African Students USA
The Harambe Fletcher Scholarship is a full-tuition award tailored for young African entrepreneurial leaders aspiring to pursue a master's program at The Fletcher School at Tufts University, commencing in September.
Eligible Field of Study:
- Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (MALD): A two-year, highly flexible, interdisciplinary, professional degree in international affairs.
- Master of International Business (MIB): A two-year hybrid international business/international affairs degree program.
7UP Harvard Business School Scholarship for Nigerian Students
The Seven UP Harvard Business School Scholarship was established by Seven Up Bottling Company Plc of Nigeria in celebration of its 50th anniversary. This initiative aligns with the Company's overarching vision of fostering a more sustainable future for promising Nigerians. Applications are open to students admitted to the Harvard Business School MBA Class for the following year.
Level of Study: MBA
International Student Mandela Fellowship Program at Michigan State University for South African Students
Michigan State University (MSU) aims to support the advancement of colleges and universities in South Africa by providing tuition assistance during the initial year of graduate studies. Many recipients of this program are expected to assume pivotal roles in professional and governmental capacities upon their return. This initiative enables departments to offer scholarships in the USA, providing an initial on-campus experience while allowing time for students to secure additional financial support for the remainder of their academic program.
Level of Study: Graduate degree.
Global Scholars Program at Clark University Scholarships
Clark University extends the Global Scholars Program to high school students who are neither permanent residents nor citizens of the United States. This also applies to U.S. citizens or permanent residents residing abroad, who will complete their entire secondary education outside the U.S. The scholarship, valued at a minimum of $15,000 (potentially $60,000 over four years, contingent upon meeting academic standards for renewal), is complemented by a guaranteed $2,500 taxable stipend. This stipend is designated for a paid internship or research assistantship, taken for academic credit during the summer following the sophomore or junior year.
Level of Study: Undergraduate