Undergraduate Applicants to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Application Deadline:December 10th, 2017 

• Are you a resident of Sub-Saharan Africa and a first-time applicant to university?
• Do you excel academically, but do not have the means to attend university?
• Are you involved in helping your community? Do you wish to be a future leader, creating meaningful change in your country? If so, you may be eligible for this scholarship.

The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program provides academically talented young leaders from low-income backgrounds with access to a world-class university education. In all, The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill will welcome 91 Scholars from Sub-Saharan Africa, including 24 at the Master’s level. Unique to McGill, some Scholars are from French-speaking countries and will receive intensive English language training before starting their degree programs.

A central goal of The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program is to create a globally educated and highly qualified group of future leaders, who, upon graduation, can return to Africa to help foster the region’s development. Toward these ends, McGill complements the Scholars’ education with a comprehensive support system that includes mentorship, tailored support services, community service opportunities and sustained programming relevant to their personal development. Scholars also receive guidance and funding for two internships in their home countries during their studies. The internships aim to sustain the Scholars’ connection with their home countries and build a path toward meaningful employment post-graduation.

The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill is coordinated through the Office of the Dean of Students with support from the Office of the Deputy-Provost (Student Life and Learning).

Eligibility Requirements:

Eligibility Criteria for Undergraduate Applicants to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

• You must qualify academically for admission to McGill University. Please note that admission is competitive; see Admissions Guide.
• You must be a first-time applicant to university (transfer applicants are not eligible).
• You must be a resident and citizen of a Sub-Saharan African country. French-speaking applicants are welcome; see  List of Eligible Countries
• You must have an exceptional record of service and activity in your school and/or community.
• You must have the potential for meaningful future service to your community as a leader engaged in dynamic local and global social change.

Please note that the following programs are not eligible for funding from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program:

• Dentistry,
• Medicine,
• Law,
• Theology,
• Farm Management,
• Physical and Occupational Therapy,
• Music, and
• Programs from the School of Continuing Studies.

Benefits

At McGill, the holistic design of the program intends to provide students with comprehensive support, including:

• A full scholarship (school fees, living expenses, books, stipends, visas);
• Academic curricula relevant to growth sectors;
• Up to 1 year of English language instruction (if needed);
• Mentoring and counselling, including academic and social support;
• Service and experiential learning (volunteerism, internships); and
• Career counselling and connections to jobs in the scholars’ country.

Application Procedure:

STEP 1

Applying to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University

• To apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars program at McGill University, you must FIRST submit an online application for admission to McGill University. The online application can be found at: www.mcgill.ca/applying/apply.
• Applicants to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill are exempt from paying the $107.50 application fee, and must follow the special procedures.
• The following document should be read in its entirety before beginning the online application as it include all specific instructions to apply to McGill as a prospective Mastercard Foundation Scholar: