Scholarships for African and Caribbean Students

Pursuing higher education abroad is a dream for many students, but financial barriers can make it challenging. Thankfully, several scholarship programs are designed to support talented African and Caribbean students in achieving their academic goals. Below is a breakdown of some of the best scholarship opportunities available, along with useful tips to help you prepare strong applications.

Our mission is to guide qualified English-speaking African and Caribbean students in finding an affordable pathway to an elite American university education. Many such institutions have significant financial aid and scholarships available that can make access to US higher education less expensive than ever before, yet many students fail to take advantage of these opportunities because they lack access to the information and guidance they need to navigate the process.

Scholarships for African Students

• Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program: This program offers comprehensive support, including tuition, accommodation, and books, to academically talented students from Sub-Saharan Africa. It partners with various universities in the U.S. and Africa to facilitate higher education access.
• Zawadi Africa Education Fund: Focused on academically gifted female students, this fund connects them with scholarship opportunities in the U.S. and select African countries. Applicants should demonstrate academic excellence, leadership qualities, and financial need.
• Fulbright Foreign Student Program: This program provides scholarships for graduate students, young professionals, and artists from around the world, including Africa, to study and conduct research in the U.S. It covers tuition, living expenses, and travel costs.

Scholarships for Caribbean Students

• Organization of American States (OAS) Academic Scholarship Program: The OAS offers scholarships of up to $10,000 per academic year for citizens and residents of English-speaking Caribbean countries and Suriname. These scholarships support undergraduate (last two years) and graduate studies in the U.S.
• Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) Scholarship Program: Some U.S. institutions, such as the University of Central Florida, offer the LAC Scholarship, which allows eligible students from the Caribbean to be classified as residents for tuition purposes, significantly reducing tuition costs.
• Rowe Fund Program: Administered by the OAS, this program provides interest-free loans of up to $15,000 and supplementary scholarships of up to $2,000 to Latin American and Caribbean students pursuing studies in the U.S.

MORE

• Africa-America Institute (AAI): AAI is dedicated to advancing Africa’s development through higher education and skills training. They offer various programs and scholarships to support African students in the U.S.
• EducationUSA: A U.S. Department of State network, EducationUSA provides accurate and comprehensive information about studying in the U.S., including guidance on finding scholarships and financial aid.

Some Tips

• Early Preparation: Start researching scholarship opportunities well in advance to meet application deadlines.
• Eligibility Criteria: Carefully review the requirements for each scholarship to ensure you qualify before applying.
• Application Materials: Prepare necessary documents, such as academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal statements, tailored to each scholarship application.