Application Deadline: Sunday, 9 March, 23:59 GMT
Level of Study: Graduate or Masters

Scholarship Overview

The Mastercard Foundation, in collaboration with Arizona State University (ASU), is offering 160 graduate scholarships for young African professionals to pursue master’s degrees over a five-year period (2025-2030). This innovative program allows students to earn an ASU Online degree while receiving in-person support through Kepler College in Rwanda, combining online flexibility with personalized guidance and community engagement.

For the 2025/2026 academic year, 40 scholarships are available, covering full tuition, accommodation, and comprehensive support for the entire 2-year graduate program. Scholars will benefit from individual mentorship, leadership development activities, and a 2-month summer intensive experience at ASU in the United States between their first and second year.

Available programs include:

• MS Global Technology and Development
• MSE Sustainable Engineering
• MS Information Technology
• MS Business Analytics
• MEd Learning Design and Technologies

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a citizen of an African country (including Zimbabwe)
• Must be between 18-33 years old on or before the application deadline
• Must demonstrate leadership and community service experience
• Must show academic excellence with ambitions exceeding financial resources
• Must have earned an undergraduate degree by July 2025
• Must not have started or completed other graduate degrees before August 2025
• Must be able to live in Kigali, Rwanda throughout the program duration

Prerequisites

• Academic qualification for admission to the chosen degree program
• English proficiency
• Commitment to ethical leadership
• Demonstrated community engagement
• Complete scholarship application by 23:59 GMT on Sunday, March 9
• If selected for the scholarship, applicants will be assisted with the ASU admission process

Benefits

The scholarship provides comprehensive coverage including:

• Visa application processing costs
• English language test fees
• Program application costs
• Airfare to and from Kigali, Rwanda
• Full tuition, books, and fees
• Food and living stipend
• Medical expenses
• Housing
• Access to scholarship programming activities

Editor’s Note

If you have an undergraduate degree in technology, engineering, and education fields with aspirations to create positive change in your community, I urge you to apply. I do have such a degree, and I am applying. What is your excuse?

Remember, successful applicants will begin their journey in Kigali, Rwanda in August 2025.