Education is a powerful tool for empowerment, and granting women access to higher education is crucial for the growth of our society. In Africa, where there is still gender disparities in education, scholarships play a major role in breaking down barriers and enabling women to pursue their academic aspirations.
In this article, we are going to be discussing various undergraduate scholarship opportunities that are available for African women, the requirements and how to apply for them. If you are a woman in Africa with a big aspiration to go far in academics but have financial constraints, this is for you.
List of Undergraduate Scholarships for African Women
Here is a list of five undergraduate scholarship programs that are available for African women:
1. MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program
This scholarship program provides scholarships to young people from Africa who are academically sound but are financially disadvantaged to pursue undergraduate studies at selected universities worldwide.
Requirements:
Though partner universities participating in the program might have their specific requirements and application details, here are the general requirements and the eligibility criteria for this scholarship.
- You must be a citizen of any of the Sub-Saharan African countries.
- You must be able to prove that you have a significant financial need to qualify for this scholarship. This may involve providing documentation of family income, assets, and other financial resources.
- You must have a strong academic record and demonstrate academic potential. This includes maintaining a high GPA and having good grades in relevant subjects.
- You must have a strong leadership potential and this includes your involvement in extracurricular activities, community service, or leadership roles.
- You must be ready to give back to your society.
2. WAAW Foundation Scholarship
This scholarship program offers scholarships to African women who are pursuing undergraduate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields at universities in Africa. The scholarship aims to increase the representation of women in STEM disciplines.
Requirements:
- You must be a female citizen of any African country.
- You must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an undergraduate STEM program at a university or college in Africa for the upcoming academic year.
- You must have a strong academic record and demonstrate academic potential in STEM subjects. This includes maintaining a high GPA and excelling in relevant courses.
- You may be asked to provide information or documentation showing that you have a financial need.
- Your leadership potential, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and commitment to giving back to your communities may also be considered.
3. Google Women Tech-makers Scholarship
This program, provides scholarships to women from underrepresented groups, including African women, who are pursuing undergraduate degrees in computer science or related fields. The scholarship includes financial support and access to networking and career development opportunities.
Requirements:
- You must identify as a woman.
- You must be currently enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a full-time undergraduate degree program in computer science, computer engineering, or a related technical field at an accredited university or college.
- You must have a strong academic record and demonstrate academic potential in your chosen field of study.
- You should have an interest in technology, computer science, or related fields. You must be able to prove it with your coursework, projects, internships, extracurricular activities, or other experiences.
- Your leadership potential, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in technology may also be considered.
5. African Women in STEM Scholarship
This scholarship program aims to support African women pursuing undergraduate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The scholarship may be offered by various organizations or institutions.
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Requirements:
- You must identify as a woman.
- You must be a citizen of an African country.
- You must be currently enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a full-time undergraduate degree program in a STEM field at an accredited university or college.
- You must have a strong academic record and demonstrate academic potential in STEM subjects.
- Your leadership potential, extracurricular activities, community involvement will be considered.
5. Obama Foundation Scholars Program
This program provides scholarships to emerging leaders from Africa for an undergraduate program at Columbia University, with a focus on civic engagement, public service, and leadership development.
Requirements:
- You can be a citizen of any countries from various regions, including Africa.
- You should demonstrate a commitment to civic engagement, public service, and leadership development in your communities or countries.
- You must have a strong academic record and demonstrate academic potential in your chosen field of study.
- You should have relevant professional experience or demonstrated leadership in your field or area of interest.
- The undergraduate program will be conducted in English. Therefore, you must demonstrate proficiency in the English language through standardized tests such as TOEFL or IELTS, unless exempted.
General Requirements
- Proof of citizenship or residency (if required)
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- Standardized test scores (e.g., SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS)
- Personal statement/SOP or essay addressing specific prompts or themes
- Letters of recommendation from teachers, mentors, or employers
- Financial documentation demonstrating need
- Any additional materials specified by the scholarship provider.
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Application Process
For the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program and African Women in STEM Scholarship
Step1: These scholarship programs partner with various universities worldwide. Research the partner universities and identify the ones offering undergraduate scholarships through the program.
Step2: Check and review the eligibility criteria for each university’s scholarship program to ensure you meet the requirements.
Step 3: Apply for admission to the university of your choice through the regular admissions process. Make sure you follow the university’s application instructions and deadlines.
Step 4: Once you have applied for admission to the university, you can apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarship or the African Women in STEM Scholarship depending on the University of your Choice. The application process is likely to vary from one university to the other but basically involves completing an online application form and submitting required documents, such as academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and financial documentation demonstrating need.
Step 5: After submitting your scholarship application, monitor your email and other communication channels for updates from the university regarding the status of your application. If you are selected as a finalist, you may be invited for interviews or additional assessments.
Step 6: Once you get a notification stating that you have been selected for the scholarship, follow the instructions provided by the University for accepting the scholarship offer. This may involve confirming your acceptance of the scholarship terms and conditions and completing any required paperwork.
Step 7: Once you have accepted the scholarship offer, prepare for enrollment at the university. This may include completing visa applications, arranging travel logistics, and attending orientation sessions.
For WAAW Foundation Scholarship, Google Women Tech-makers Scholarship and Obama Foundation Scholars Program
Step 1: Log onto the website of your desired scholarship program. The websites of the scholarship programs are:
- WAAW Foundation Scholarship: https://waawfoundation.org/scholarships/
- Google Women Tech-Makers Scholarship: https://www.womentechmakers.com/scholars
- Obama Foundation Scholars Program: https://www.obama.org/scholars/
Step 2: Check and review the eligibility criteria for the scholarship programs to ensure you meet the requirements. Also, identify the necessary documents that would be needed for your application.
Step 3: Prepare the necessary documents for the scholarship application. This may include academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a resume or CV, personal statements, and responses to essay questions or prompts.
Step 4: Visit the websites or the scholarship application portal to access the online application form. Make sure you complete all sections of the application accurately and thoroughly.
Step 5: Submit your completed scholarship application online before the specified deadline. Ensure that all required documents and information are included in your application.
Step 6: After submitting your application, make sure you monitor your email and any other communication channels that you provided in your application for updates regarding the status of your application. If you are shortlisted, you may be contacted for interviews or additional information.
Step 7: If you are selected as a scholar for any of the programs, follow the instructions provided to accept the scholarship offer.
Step 8: Once you have accepted the scholarship offer, prepare for enrollment at your university or college. This may include completing any additional admission requirements at your school of choice.
In addition to applying for scholarships, consider exploring alternative funding options such as student loans, grants, work-study programs, and tuition assistance programs offered by universities or employers.
Please make sure you review the application guidelines and deadlines provided by the universities or scholarship programs and follow the instructions accordingly. Start the application process early, make sure that all the information provided on your application form are correct and accurate and ensure that all required documents are prepared and submitted accurately. This can increase your chances of success in securing the scholarship. Best of luck!
