How to Win a Mastercard Scholarship?

How to win a Mastercard Scholarship

The Mastercard Scholarship is more than just a college scholarship — it’s a launchpad for future innovators and change makers from Africa. Beyond financial support, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides mentorship and guidance to help students succeed academically and grow as leaders. With 45,000+ scholars and counting, the Mastercard Foundation has already empowered countless African students to turn their potential into real-world impact.

In this article, we’ll tackle everything you need to know about the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship, including:

• Background on what the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship is and what it covers
• Who is eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship
• How to apply for the Mastercard Scholarship
• Which colleges are Mastercard Scholarship schools (and key differences between the Mastercard Foundation Scholars program at each school)
• Tips for developing a strong Mastercard Foundation scholarship application, and more!

Before applying for any competitive scholarship, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the program’s eligibility requirements and application process. It’s also beneficial to learn about the organization behind it. With that in mind, let’s kick off our Mastercard Scholarship deep dive by exploring its funder: the Mastercard Foundation.

What is the Mastercard Foundation?

The internationally recognized financial technology company Mastercard established the Mastercard Foundation in 2006. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, the original mission of the Mastercard Foundation was to advance education and financial inclusion, with a specific focus on African youth and Indigenous youth in Canada. Since its inception, the Foundation has partnered with universities, NGOs, and institutions worldwide to develop and build its programs.

Over the years, the Foundation’s mission has evolved. In 2011, the Foundation updated its vision to “opportunity for all to learn and prosper,” highlighting its focus on education and microfinance as vehicles for social change in underserved communities. In 2012, the foundation launched the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. 

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program relies on partnerships with universities around the world to provide higher education opportunities for youth from developing nations. These partnerships look slightly different depending on each school’s and region’s priorities. Still, most programs include tuition funding for African students seeking higher education. 

Up next, we will explore the history and scope of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program in greater detail.

What is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a global initiative to support ethical leaders in developing their skills through higher education. The Mastercard Foundation’s hope is that these scholars will then return to their home countries and contribute to positive social and economic change across the African continent. In doing so, the program values the expertise and leadership inherently in existence in African nations, rather than seeking to impose foreign leadership to local problems. 

Since it started in 2012, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program has provided funding to over 50,000 individuals through partnerships with 29 universities. The Foundation’s current goal is to double their impact and provide 100,000 scholarships by 2030. In addition to financial assistance, the program provides mentorship, leadership training, internships, and networking opportunities. Given its scope, the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship is one of the most robust merit scholarships in existence. 

To be eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship, students must meet several criteria, which we will outline in the next section.

Who is eligible for a Mastercard Scholarship?

Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for a Mastercard Foundation Scholarship, though the program’s availability depends on the partner school. Eligibility requirements for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship vary slightly by university partner, but all schools follow the same core guidelines:

• Be a citizen of an African country
• Be 29 years old or younger if you are seeking your bachelor’s degree, or 35 years or younger if you are seeking a graduate degree
• Demonstrate financial need
• Be academically driven and accomplished
• Be committed to social change
• Prove leadership potential 

As we stated, these criteria will vary slightly by college. Therefore, be sure to familiarize yourself with the eligibility requirements at each institution to ensure you meet the criteria before applying.

Is the Mastercard Scholarship a merit scholarship?

Yes — the Mastercard Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship. However, it is also a need-based scholarship. A merit scholarship is one awarded based on a person’s accomplishments, whereas a need-based scholarship is one given to those who demonstrate the inability to pay for higher education on their own. As such, the Mastercard Scholarship is both a need and a merit-based scholarship. To receive it, an applicant must not only not only come from a low-income background, but also demonstrate academic and leadership ability.

The Mastercard Scholarship Foundation looks for scholars who exemplify traits like academic excellence, leadership potential, community engagement, and self-awareness. While each of the partner colleges measures these traits differently, collectively they encompass the Mastercard Foundation’s values. 

If you feel that you are eligible for a Mastercard Scholarship, you should begin planning your application well before the deadline. Up next, we will share information about how to apply for the Mastercard Scholarship.

How to Apply for the Mastercard Scholarship

Without a doubt, the Mastercard Scholarship application requires a significant amount of time and effort. Therefore, to be successful, make sure you follow the specific directions of each university which offers the scholarship.

As we noted above, there are currently 29 Mastercard Scholarship schools. To apply, you must complete a Mastercard Scholarship application through the university itself. There is no centralized Mastercard Foundation portal. 

Steps to Complete a Mastercard Scholarship Application

1. Identify partner schools of interest.

Because the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship is offered only at select universities, you should research each school to see which ones interest you. Look into specific programs and majors to determine which school will best support your long-term goals.

2. Check eligibility and deadlines.

Familiarize yourself with what you would need to apply not only to the university, but to the Mastercard Scholarship itself. This can include taking preparatory tests like the TOEFL or SAT, writing essays, getting letters of recommendation, and completing online applications. Most importantly, make sure you verify whether your intended institution funds Mastercard Scholars in your field of study and at your degree level, whether bachelor’s or master’s.

3. Submit required documents.

Before the deadline, ensure that all your documents are submitted. Indeed, a Mastercard Scholarship application will not be complete unless each school’s required documents are on file. Some common required materials include academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, financial documentation, and essays or personal statements.

Like other prestigious scholarships for college, applying to the Mastercard Scholarship requires advanced planning, hard work, and persistence. While there’s no limit to the number of Mastercard Scholarship schools you can apply to, there are also no shortcuts to applying. As such, you’ll need to research each school and determine which ones are actually a good fit for you and your goals, then focus your application efforts accordingly.

Mastercard Scholarship Schools

The Mastercard Foundation supports students from Africa, however, you can apply to Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program institutions in Africa, Europe, North and Central America, and the Middle East. 

Each of these universities were chosen for their strong academic programs and commitment to developing leaders focused on social change. Since each university runs its own independent application process for the scholarship, let’s review the application process at four Mastercard Scholarship schools: UC Berkeley, University of Toronto, University of Cape Town, and University of Edinburgh.

Mastercard Scholarship Application: UC Berkeley

One of three Mastercard Foundation Scholarship partners in the U.S. is the University of California at Berkeley. Unlike other Mastercard Scholarship partners, Berkeley only supports Mastercard Scholars at the graduate level. Each year, the program admits 29+ Mastercard Scholars. 

Scholars at Berkeley receive tuition and living expenses coverage, travel reimbursement, visa fee coverage, and support via signature cohort programs that provide mentorship, networking, and internship connections. All Mastercard Scholars at Berkeley in programs lasting longer than 2 semesters are required to complete an internship within Africa. However, the program helps students find this internship and covers the associated expenses.

Students who are interested in a Mastercard Scholarship at Berkeley must apply to their intended graduate program by the program’s application deadline. Deadlines typically fall December to early January. In February, students deemed eligible for a Mastercard Scholarship will be notified and invited to apply via a supplemental application. After an interview in March, applicants will be notified of whether they received the scholarship. 

Like other Mastercard Scholars programs, the hope is that graduates will return to the African continent to support the development of programs that improve quality of life for African communities. 

Next, we will explore the Mastercard Scholarship: Canada.

Mastercard Scholarship Application: University of Toronto

There are two Mastercard Scholarship Canada programs: one at McGill University and one at the University of Toronto. In this section, we will break down the specifics of the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship: University of Toronto. 

Like the Berkeley program, the University of Toronto scholarship program is only available to graduate students. The program’s overall focus is on advancing health outcomes across Africa. As a result, applicants to the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship: University of Toronto must intend to enroll in one of the following programs:

• Master of Occupational and Environmental Health 
• Master of Social and Behavioral Health Sciences 
• Master of Health Administration 
• Master of Financial Insurance
• Master of Engineering (Biomedical) 
• Master of Biotechnology (for May 2026 start)

While the program has a narrower focus than Mastercard Scholarship programs at other institutions, the benefits are just as robust. The Mastercard Foundation Scholarship: University of Toronto benefits include:

• Full tuition and fees
• Travel expenses
• A laptop and other learning materials
• Living expenses, such as housing, food, and health insurance
• Access to mentoring, orientation, and transition programs
• Access to advising from their departments and the Centre for International Experience

Mastercard Foundation scholarship applications are due in early November for the following year.

Now, let’s explore details of the Mastercard Scholarship Application: Cape Town.

Mastercard Scholarship Application: University of Cape Town

For scholars interested in staying on the African continent during their studies, the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship: University of Cape Town is an excellent option. Situated within the University of Cape Town, this program supports research-focused graduate studies for 20+ scholars each year. Like other programs, applicants must be African citizens and demonstrate financial need.

Mastercard Foundation Scholarship: University of Cape Town applicants can apply between July and September. In addition to applying to the University of Cape Town, applicants must write an essay of no more than 2,000 words that responds to the following questions:

• In which ways do you envisage contributing to the economic growth and social development of your country and Africa on completion of your studies, using your education as leverage?
• Explain any community service activities you have been involved in.
• List the qualities that, for you, define leadership and elaborate on leadership initiatives that you have undertaken.

Additionally, Mastercard Foundation Scholarship: University of Cape Town applicants must submit two letters of recommendation. These two recommenders must be individuals who supervised your academic work previously, such as a professor or a research mentor.

Selected applicants will receive full tuition and living assistance, as well as all the Scholar Development initiatives. These initiatives include a two-day entrepreneurship bootcamp, annual leadership training, internship placement support, and career planning guidance.

Up next, we will highlight the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship: University of Edinburgh.

Mastercard Scholarship Application: University of Edinburgh

At the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, Mastercard Scholars develop skills to address the climate crisis. Still, scholars can get a master’s degree or postgraduate diploma in several fields, from data and inequality and society to sustainable energy systems. In comparison to master’s degrees, postgraduate diplomas are more vocational, meaning that they prepare students for a specific career. Additionally, scholars can apply for in-person and online master’s or postgraduate diploma programs.

Eligibility requirements for Mastercard Foundation Scholarship: University of Edinburgh mirror those from other universities described above regarding financial need, citizenship status, and commitment to leadership and service. However, the timeline for a Mastercard Foundation scholarship application to the University of Edinburgh is shorter than most; applications are only open for the month of October. Applicants are notified in February if they have an interview and will learn the final status of their application by the end of March.

In addition to the full cost of tuition and living expenses being covered, all Mastercard Foundation Scholarship: University of Edinburgh students participate in the school’s Climate Leadership Programme. As such, they benefit from special summer schools, workshops, and internship placements geared towards preparing them for leadership positions.

Not sure how to win scholarships for college? Keep reading for our top CollegeAdvisor-approved tips!

5 Tips – How to Win a Mastercard Scholarship

Securing elite scholarships is often a competitive process. For that reason, we’re giving you five tips for putting together the strongest Mastercard Foundation Scholarship application possible:

5 Tips to Win a Mastercard Scholarships

1. Start early.

As we described above, there are several components to the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship application. From applying directly to a partner school to writing a personal statement to submitting references and transcripts, there’s a lot to do. As such, we encourage you to start early by researching the Mastercard Scholarship schools and learning about their focuses, eligibility criteria, application processes, and resources. Reach out to them early with any questions you have.

Indeed, one of the biggest mistakes students make is waiting until the last minute to complete their application, leaving them little time to thoroughly read the instructions, craft thoughtful responses, and get the best recommendations. Starting your application in advance will help ease stress and ensure you get all required materials submitted on time.

2. Connect your skills and your passions.

Mastercard Scholarship schools are looking for highly skilled students who have a passion for social change. Therefore, to make a strong application, you need to be specific about how you have developed skills that will allow you to both contribute to and benefit from your intended program. Ideally, you will highlight some leadership skills and demonstrate how the program will help you advance toward your social justice goals. 

For example, perhaps you have always been the student who is passionate about women’s education. Describe how you have dedicated yourself to this goal and what skills you developed in doing so. Then, explain how you plan to shape your community upon your return. 

3. Get strong references.

Most Mastercard Foundation Scholarship applications require two references. Ensure that your references are people who can uniquely and specifically speak to your skills and passions, ideally in an academic setting. Additionally, choose people who are good writers and give them ideas for what they can include in your letter.

Give your recommenders 4-6 weeks minimum to work on your letter. Be sure to check in with them to ensure they have everything they need to submit your recommendation by the deadline.

4. Edit, edit, edit again.

Oftentimes, the strongest writing and ideas come out in the editing process. Don’t shy away from editing your work or creating multiple drafts of your personal statement. Between drafts, step away from your writing for a few days to allow your mind to clear. Come back when you have fresh eyes and can look at your work with a new perspective.

Be sure to also ask for help in your editing process. Ask trusted mentors, teachers, and friends to read your materials and look for grammar and spelling errors. By asking multiple trusted sources, you can ensure your materials are clear and concise. Remember that the person reading your application in the end will not know you and will have to read dozens if not hundreds of applications. To stand out, you must be able to clearly express yourself in a compelling manner.

5. Be yourself.

As in all application processes, it is important to be yourself. Avoid trying to guess what the readers want to hear and let your own voice shine through. As the Mastercard Foundation is looking for the next generation of leaders, authenticity will be key. One way to check your work is to ask a trusted friend or mentor if the application sounds like you and reflects your demonstrated passions and skills.

While completing your Mastercard Scholarship application can seem daunting, you will be successful if you follow these tips. Plus, there are countless resources available online, so take advantage of them to give yourself the best possible chance of winning this competitive scholarship.

Mastercard Scholarship – Takeaways

Are you interested in becoming a Mastercard Scholar? Hopefully, this article serves as an excellent starting point toward your goal. In this resource, we outlined the basics of this comprehensive merit- and need-based award, providing insights into the application process and tips and resources to help you complete your Mastercard Scholarship application. 

Remember, the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship is designed to empower the next generation of African leaders. Successful applicants combine leadership, a commitment to social change, and financial need with a clear vision for their future. While the application process takes time and dedication, the opportunities and financial support afforded to Mastercard Scholars makes any application well worth the effort.

As you begin your journey toward higher education, we encourage you to keep CollegeAdvisor in mind as a resource. Through personalized, one-on-one advising, we can help you explore and apply to top colleges, as well as prestigious scholarships for college. Whatever your goals, we are here to guide you, patiently and thoroughly, through these complex and important processes.

This article was written by Courtney Ng. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.