Call for Applications for Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa for the May

(Summer) 2023 Intake

Scholarship Overview:
United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) has partnered with the Mastercard Foundation in
its global Scholars Program. This initiative will offer academically talented youth from Africa facing financial,
gender, displacement, or disability constraints an opportunity to access world class university education.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa will provide full-cost scholarships to young
Africans who are first-time undergraduate degree-seeking applicants. By completion of their studies, scholars
will be required to lead changes in their communities and contribute to meaningful transformation across
the continent, having been equipped with internationally recognized and locally applicable qualifications.
The scholarship targets African youth who are either, Young Women, Refugees/ displaced Youth, Persons
with Disability and Young Men with the following qualities;
• Academic talent
• Commitment to giving back to their communities
• Leadership potential
**Priority shall be given to registered Refugees/Displaced youth and Persons with Disability.
Eligibility:

To be eligible for the scholarship applicants must;

1. Be 29 years and below at the time of application

2. Meet the minimum university entry grade of a C+ and above or its equivalent as set by the Kenya
Commission for University Education. Applicants interested in courses in the school of Pharmacy and
Health sciences must have a mean grade of B- or its equivalent and at least a C+ or B- in the cluster
subjects of English, Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry. International applicants must meet the
equivalent.

3. Must be interested in any of the approved 13 undergraduate degree programs for the Scholars Program
at USIU-Africa as follows:

• School of Science and Technology (SST) – Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Technology,
Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and Technology, Bachelor of Science in Software
Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Analytics

• School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (SPHS) - Bachelor of Pharmacy, Bachelor of Epidemiology
and Biostatistics;

• School of Communication, Cinematic and Creative Arts (SCCCA) – Bachelor of Arts in Animation,
Bachelor of Arts in Film Production and Directing;

• Chandaria School of Business (CSB) - Bachelor of Science in Finance, Bachelor of Science in

International Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Accounting;

• School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) - Bachelor of Arts in International Relations
and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology)
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4. Have proven record of leadership involvement and community give back engagement.

5. Demonstrate socio-economic disadvantage.

More information about the above highlighted degree programs can be found at the university website:
https://www.usiu.ac.ke/undergraduate-programs/

Application process:

a. Interested applicants can download the application form the USIU-Africa website;
https://www.usiu.ac.ke/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program. Application forms
can also be picked from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program office at the School of
Graduate Studies, Research and Extension, 2nd floor.
b. Before filling in the application form, please read through all the instructions and required
information.
c. Submit complete application together with other supporting documents required by email ensuring
that the scanned copy of the scholarship application form and all the required documents are
scanned in PDF format. Clearly name while sending with your name and nationality as the email
subject to: [email protected] or drop your application at the Scholars Program
Office, located in the School of Graduate Studies, Research and Extension building at USIU-
Africa

APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO SEND ONLY ONE COMPLETE APPLICATION. DUPLICATE AND
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL BE REJECTED. PLEASE NOTE THAT CANVASING WILL LEAD TO
AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFICATION.

Important dates and deadlines:

• Release of call for applications - Monday August 15, 2022.

• Application Deadline - Friday, September 16, 2022 at 11:59pm (East Africa Time)

**If you do not hear from us by this date; Tuesday, January 31, 2023, please consider your application
unsuccessful. Due to the large volumes of applications received, we are unable to give personalized feedback
to all the applicants.

Note;
• The Scholars program will communicate to applicants through email and phone contact. Applicants
should ensure that the phone numbers and email addresses provided are accurate and active in order
to receive important information and feedback.
• After the selection process, successful applicants will be invited for a virtual or in person interview
conducted by independent panels.
• Applicants who will be discovered to have provided false information during any stage of the application
and selection process will be disqualified. Any attempt to influence the selection process will lead to
automatic disqualification.
• The Scholars program at USIU-Africa does not work with any agents or intermediaries in the
application and selection process. There are absolutely NO charges, fees or “facilitation” required
at any stage of the application and selection process.

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Benefits of joining the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program:

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars at USIU-Africa will receive holistic support which includes:

a. Tuition and functional fees;

b. Laptop and library books;

c. Reasonable accommodation and meals;

d. Medical insurance;

e. Stipend;

f. Transport to and from home once a year;

g. Access to leadership training;

h. Access to entrepreneurial training;

i. Psycho-social support, career counselling and mentorship;

j. Disability needs will be reasonably catered for.

Any queries can be directed through e-mail to [email protected] or phone no: +254730116218;
+254730116500; +254730116303; +254730116521; +254730116107; 254730116148 or in person.

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MAY (SUMMER) 2023 INTAKE MASTERCARD FOUNDATION SCHOLARS
PROGRAM AT UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY-AFRICA (USIU-
AFRICA)

Dear Applicant,

USIU-Africa appreciates your interest in the Scholars Program made possible by the partnership of
Mastercard Foundation and USIU-Africa. By completing this application, you are taking the first step
in a process that will allow us to learn more about you, your achievements, and your goals as a potential
Scholar of this Program. We encourage you to read the application guidelines before filling the form.
The application form is NOT FOR SALE and NO PAYMENT IS REQUIRED.

Completed application and supporting documents should be sent to [email protected]

by Friday, September 16, 2022. Our selection committee will review all applications carefully and nominate
finalists for interviews. All finalists will be interviewed either in person or virtually. Communication to the
selected Scholars will be done by Tuesday, January 31, 2023.

A completed application should include the following:

1. Application letter stating the following:
a) Personal Background including family financial position.
b) Why you chose USIU-Africa.
c) Where you see yourself after graduation.
2. Copies of academic documents (final high school certificates);
3. Recommendation letter from your high school teacher, head teacher or sponsoring organization.
The letter must be current, official, stamped and signed.
4. One recent Passport size photograph;
5. A copy of your Birth certificate, National Identity Card or Passport and/or refugee travel
document;
6. A copy of refugee identity document (where applicable).
7. A copy of disability registration document/card (where applicable)

Please note that we will NOT evaluate INCOMPLETE applications.

Complete applications should be delivered/emailed only ONCE. Duplicate applications or several emails
from the same person will lead to disqualification of the applicant. Applications sent to another email
address other than the one provided will not be evaluated

DEADLINE:
All applications must be received by Friday, September 16, 2022 at 11:59pm (East Africa Time).
We strongly encourage earlier submissions.

**Please read carefully all the instructions and gather all the necessary supporting documents before
filling the application form.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa Application Summer 2023 1

 A: PERSONAL INFORMATION
Please enter your name and all information as it appears on official documents such as an
identification card, birth certificate, or passport.
Name; First: Middle: Last:

Other name:
Gender: F M Nationality: Birth: Date: / /
Day Month Year

Marital status; Single: ______________ Married: ______________ No of children(if any): __________

Age at the time of application:

Country of Birth:

Country of Citizenship:

Country of residence at the time of application:

County/Region:

Place of residence at the time of application: Urban Rural Peri-urban

Do you have a passport? Yes No *Passport No:

*If you have a passport, please attach a copy of it to this application.
Passport Issued by (Country):
Your Email Address:
Mobile Phone (Including Country Code):
Permanent Physical Address:
Primary language spoken:
Other Languages:
B: CATEGORY OF SCHOLARSHIP
Please tick from the list below the category of scholarship you are applying for
Young Women
Young Men
Refugee youth
Internally displaced Youth
Youth with disability
How did you learn about the scholarship
For refugees kindly provide the following information:
1. Refugee status:
2. UNHCR Number:
3. Do you live in a camp or as an integrated refugee:
4. If camp, please name the camp:
5. If integrated, please give details of residence and contact details of persons responsible for your
integration.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa Application Summer 2023 2


For Internally Displaced Youth, Kindly provide the following:
1. Letter from relevant government authority stating reason and nature of displacement.

For persons with disability, kindly provide the following information:

1. Nature of disability:
2. Are you registered with any disability organizations? Yes No
If yes which one?
3. Please attach your disability registration form/card
4. Please indicate any special accommodation needs that you may require

C. ACADEMIC INFORMATION
State the degree program you are applying for____________________________________
Your program of choice must be among the 13 sponsored programs (Refer to the Call for Applications)

Name of High/Secondary School:

Physical Address:(Location):

Date of Graduation:

High/Secondary school exam system (e.g. WAEC, GCE, KCSE, etc):

Grade (s) Obtained:

School Type (mark all that apply): Government/Public Independent/Private

Have you been ever been called, admitted, or attended any college/university? Yes No

Level Dates Name of Sponsor (if Qualification

Attended institution any) Obtained

University

College

Others

If you were admitted and dropped out, or called to and did not join please give reasons and attach
evidence:

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa Application Summer 2023 3

Who paid for your High/Secondary school education?
Guardian (s) (Related to the applicant)
Guardian (s) not related to applicant
Parent
Scholarship (attach recommendation letter from sponsor/ proof
Sibling (s)
Sponsor (s)
Other

If other; state who paid fees:

Applicant Name: Phone/Email:

D. FAMILY INFORMATION (Contact person in case of emergency)

Section 1: Parents or Guardians

Parent/Guardian #1

Surname: First:
Other names: Relation to you:
Occupation: Estimated income per month:
Highest Level of Education Attained:
Mobile Phone: Email:
Country of Residence: Physical Address:

Parent/Guardian #2

Surname: First:
Other names: Relation to you:
Occupation: Estimated income per month:
Highest Level of Education Attained:
Mobile Phone: Email:
Country of Residence: Physical Address:

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa Application Summer 2023 4

Section 2: Siblings: Please list the Names, Level of Education, genders and ages of any brothers/ sisters
you have, even if they don’t live in your household. If you need more lines please attach a separate page
at the end.

Full Name Gender Age Highest level of Occupation/Employment/

(M/F) education/ degree
attained Monthly income

Applicant Name: Phone/Email:

E. SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

(Write your essays only within the spaces provided)

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
1. Describe a previously held leadership position, activities, or experiences: (i.e. positions where
you guided or led a group of people, a project, or a cause in which you were involved)

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa Application Summer 2023 5

 2. State any Awards and Honors received: (i.e., academic award; Outstanding Leadership award,
Community service award etc. (Attach evidence)

3. What are you passionate about and how will your program of study contribute to your passion?

Applicant Name: Phone/Email:

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa Application Summer 2023 6

 F. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program vision is that Scholars will use their education to
create change and improve the lives of others.

Describe the voluntary/community activities and experiences you have engaged in the past

Describe your aspirations for social change and how you plan to achieve social change through
your program of study

Applicant Name: Phone/Email:

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa Application Summer 2023 7



G. ACTIVITIES
Please list up to three of the most important activities in each category (in order of importance
to you) that you have participated in during the past three years, either through your secondary
school or independently/in your community. Complete only the sections relevant to you. (Attach
evidence)

School and Community Service:

Activity Role Number of years
Example: Student Government
1.
2.
3.

Employment/Entrepreneurial Enterprises:
Activity Role Number of years
Example: Poultry farming
1.
2.
3.

Competitions/Conferences/Special Programs:
Activity Role Number of years
Example: Science Congress
1.
2.
3.

Artistic/Musical:
Activity Role Number of years
Example: Music festival
1.
2.
3.

Athletics:
Activity Role Number of years
Example: Swimming
1.
2.
3.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa Application Summer 2023 8
 H. CERTIFICATION PAGE

I, hereby certify that all information

contained in this application is truthfully and accurately presented and as my work alone and give my
permission to USIU-Africa to obtain any verification deemed necessary to process my application.
Finally, I acknowledge that completing this application form does not guarantee scholarship

Signature: Date:

Application submission guidelines

1. Read carefully through the application guidelines on the Call for Applications document before
submitting your application.
2. Go through your application and review to make sure you have all the required documents and your form
is completely filled before submission. Incomplete forms will not be evaluated.
3. Submit only 1 application. Multiple submissions will lead to automatic disqualification.
4. When submitting your application, all documents must be scanned in PDF format and named
accordingly then sent as an attachment (s) on email.
5. Do not convert your application form to word document when you download. Print the form, fill it and
then scan into pdf format. PDF editor is acceptable.
6. The subject of the application email should be your name.
7. Use the provided email address to send your application; [email protected]. Any
application sent to a different email address will not be evaluated.

Note:
Submitting a complete application does not guarantee award of scholarship

CONTACT DETAILS
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
United States International University-Africa
P.O. Box 14634 00800
Nairobi
Tel: +254 730 116 218/ 500/ 303/ 107/ 521/ 148

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa Application Summer 2023 9