Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University: Empowering Africa’s Future Leaders

Introduction

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity for academically talented yet financially disadvantaged youth across Africa. This initiative aims to nurture the next generation of transformative leaders who will contribute significantly to the continent’s socio-economic development.

Program Overview

In partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, Makerere University is implementing a 10-year scholarship program designed to enable academically talented young people in Africa to access university education and transform into enterprising leaders who meaningfully contribute to the development of their communities. The program offers 1,000 scholarships over this period, providing recipients with mentoring and career counseling services. To date, over 1,000 young people have been enrolled, with more than 700 students having graduated. Additionally, networks have been built with private sector actors to support students’ transitions into employment and entrepreneurship.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University’s main campus, applicants must belong to one of the following categories: Ugandan nationals, refugees, students with disabilities, internally displaced young people, or international students. The specific eligibility criteria are as follows:

Undergraduate Degree Applicants

1. Admission Application: Applicants must have applied for admission to Makerere University’s main campus under the private sponsorship scheme for the academic year 2025/2026.

2. Educational Background: Applicants must have:

   • Completed their advanced secondary level education (or its equivalent) in an African country; or
   • Hold a second class/credit diploma from any recognized institution; or
   • Passed the mature age entry examinations of Makerere University for the years 2023 and 2024.

3. Financial Hardship: Applicants should be experiencing financial hardships.

4. Scholarship Status: Applicants should not be holders of any other scholarship, including the Government of Uganda Scholarship.

5. Prior Education: Applicants should not have completed any undergraduate degree program.

6. Leadership and Community Service: Applicants should have demonstrated leadership potential and/or community service.

7. Age Limit: Applicants should be 28 years old or younger at the application deadline. However, applicants under the categories of refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and students with disabilities should be 32 years old or younger at the time of the application deadline.

8. Refugee Applicants: A refugee applicant must hold a Refugee Identity Card or Family Attestation. Applicants in the refugee host communities category must have completed their secondary school education within those communities.

9. Prioritized Programs: Applicants should have applied for any degree programs prioritized under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University’s main campus.

Master’s Degree Applicants

1. Admission Application: Applicants must have applied for admission to Makerere University’s main campus for 2025/2026.

2. Educational Background: Applicants must have completed their undergraduate education in an African country.

3. Financial Hardship: Applicants should be experiencing financial hardships.

4. Scholarship Status: Applicants should not be holders of any other scholarship.

5. Prior Education: Applicants should not be pursuing or have completed any master’s degree studies.

6. Leadership and Community Service: Applicants should have demonstrated leadership potential and/or community service.

7. Age Limit: Applicants should not be over 35 years old at the application deadline. However, applicants in the refugee and students with disabilities categories should be under 40 years old at the application deadline.

8. Refugee Applicants: A refugee applicant must hold a Refugee Identity Card or Family Attestation.

9. Prioritized Programs: Applicants should have applied for any degree programs prioritized under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

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Application Procedure

Prospective applicants for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University can access and complete the application form at no cost through the following avenues:

1. Online Application Portal: Applicants can fill out the application form and attach copies of all required documents via the online portal: https://apply.mastercardfoundation.mak.ac.ug/

2. Physical Forms: Hard copy application forms are available at the office of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, located at Plot 144, Pool Road, Makerere University (opposite the College of Computing and Information Sciences).

3. Downloadable Forms: Application forms can be downloaded from the website of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University: https://mcfsp.mak.ac.ug/

Submission of Application Forms:

• Hard Copy Submissions: Completed application forms and all required attachments should be submitted to the office of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University by 5:00 pm on the specified deadline.

• Online Submissions: Applicants can fill out the online application form and attach copies of all required documents via the online portal.

• Email Submissions: Applicants can submit the filled application form and scanned copies of all required documents via email to: makscholarsapplication@gmail.com

Note: For inquiries or clarifications, please call the office mobile line at +256 700-716-128.

Selection Process

The selection process for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University is thorough and aims to identify candidates who not only meet the academic and financial criteria but also exhibit leadership potential and a commitment to community service. The process includes:

1. Application Review: All submitted applications are reviewed to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria.

2. Shortlisting: Applicants who meet the criteria are shortlisted for further assessment.

3. Interviews: Shortlisted candidates may be invited for interviews to assess their leadership potential, commitment to community service, and suitability for the program.

4. Final Selection: Successful candidates are selected based on their academic merit, financial need, leadership potential, and commitment to giving back to their communities.

Important Considerations:

• Gender Balance: 70% of the scholarships are reserved for young women.

• Refugee Support: 25% of the scholarships are reserved for youth with refugee status.

• Disability Inclusion: 10% of the scholarships are reserved for youth with disabilities.

• Integrity: Dishonesty and influence peddling will lead to automatic disqualification. Falsification of documents or providing false information will lead to disqualification and/or prosecution.

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Benefits of the Scholarship

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University offers comprehensive support to its scholars, including:

• Tuition and Fees: Coverage of all tuition and related university fees.

• Accommodation: Provision of accommodation throughout the study period.

• Stipend: A regular stipend to cover living expenses.

• Medical Insurance: Health

For more details and to apply, click here

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