Scholarships Africans can still apply for this year to study abroad

It comes with little surprise that “scholarships for Africans” are one of the most searched things on the internet. The average wage in Nigeria is US$1,136 a month. Flights to top study destinations like the US cost just as much, coming up to US$1,025.

Say you got into a UK university, you’ll have to pay tuition fees too. For international undergraduates, the rates begin at US$13,635 a year according to QS. This doesn’t include accommodation and living expenses too.

If you think you have to abandon your dreams to study abroad because you can’t afford it, think again. There are many scholarships for African you can apply to — some even cover everything, from your flight tickets to tuition fees and living costs.

Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS)

This programme focuses on core study areas such as energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability and engineering. 

The scholarship will cover tuition, a monthly stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance and travel allowance. After you graduate, you’ll return to your home country to promote sustainable development.

The specific list of unis in Japan can be found here and to start the application process, you’ll need to contact your chosen JADS partner uni for required documents. The institution will then select the applicants and send them to the African Development Bank for final approval. 

Make sure you leave ample time to prepare your proposal. You’ll be needing a copy of your most recent degree, two professional references and a valid English proficiency score report.

Reach Oxford Scholarship

This is aimed at students from developing countries who (for political or financial reasons) can’t study in their own countries. If you’re keen to study in the UK, expect your tuition fees covered under this programme along with a grant for living expenses and one return air fare a year.

Details on how to apply for 2022 will be made available in January with a deadline in February. However, if you want to be considered for this, you must have applied successfully to the uni of your choice through UCAS by October 15. 

Genevieve McMillan-Reba Stewart Foundation Scholarship

This scholarship is in honour of Genevieve McMillan’s passion for the African continent. It was established in her name in collaboration with the life and work of her artist friend, Reba Stewart.

It is only open to applicants from the sub-Saharan African countries to study at Sciences Po in France.

As a top contender on our list of scholarships for Africans, this one covers your full tuition fees in an undergraduate programme. Those who meet the institution’s social criteria can receive an additional grant for living expenses.

To apply, you need to complete the form online on Sciences Po’s admissions website and include all the required documents by February next year. You should prepare a cover letter listing your motivations and the benefits you’ll get under this scholarship. 

Yale Young African Scholars

Another one on our list of scholarships for Africans to study in the US is this intensive academic and enrichment programme. It’s aimed at young Africans currently in secondary school who want to pursue higher education and make an impact as future leaders.

Scholars will have their tuition costs, meals and accommodation paid for. To apply, you must complete the online application form, submit official transcripts, and have one teacher recommendation. This should all be done by February 2022. 

Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship

This was created to improve the talent exchange pool between Canada and other nations and give funding to Canadian unis to support projects in West Africa. These projects will support doctoral, post-doctoral and early career researchers from Canada and West Africa. 

The scholarship is worth up to 300,000 Canadian dollars for courses in climate resilience and sustainable food systems, education and innovation, ethics in development research, health equity, inclusive governance, and sustainable inclusive growth. 

To apply, your project proposal must be submitted online in English or French through this portal. You’ll need to register an account, fill out an application form, as well as upload the uni support form, a completed budget form and letters of support.