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Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University: A Gateway to Higher Education

Table of Content

  1. Overview of Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
  2. Benefits
  3. Eligibility Criteria
  4. Application Process and Important Deadlines
  5. Selection Process & Ethical Guidelines
  6. Key Takeaways

Higher education is a gateway to professional success and personal growth, yet financial constraints often pose significant challenges for students. Scholarships for master’s programmes play a crucial role in enabling talented individuals to pursue advanced education without financial burdens. One such opportunity is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, which aims to support students from Sub-Saharan Africa in achieving their academic and career aspirations.

About the Scholarship

Makerere University, in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, has extended their partnership through 2034 to offer financial aid to 1,000 deserving students. The scholarship seeks to promote inclusive university education and empower young Africans to contribute significantly to national and regional development.

Through this initiative, scholarships will be available for undergraduate and graduate students at Makerere University’s main campus for the next ten years. The programme is designed to support academically talented individuals who face financial hardships, ensuring they receive the necessary resources to excel in their chosen fields.

For the academic year 2025/2026, Makerere University has announced the second cohort of scholarships under this program, which includes 190 undergraduate and 11 master’s scholarships. These scholarships aim to foster leadership, community engagement, and innovative problem-solving among students.

Benefits

  • Covers full tuition and all academic expenses.
  • Provides on-campus housing and meal plans.
  • Covers costs for books, research materials, and other educational supplies.
  • Monthly Stipend
  • Access to comprehensive medical insurance for the duration of the scholarship.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria:

  1. Nationality & Background:

    • Open to Ugandan nationals, refugees, students with disabilities, internally displaced individuals, and international students from Sub-Saharan Africa.

  2. Academic Requirements:

    • Applicants must have applied for admission to Makerere University’s main campus for the 2025/2026 academic year.

    • Must have completed undergraduate education in an African country.

  3. Financial Need:

    • Applicants must demonstrate financial hardship that limits their ability to fund higher education.

  4. Scholarship Restrictions:

    • Applicants should not be recipients of any other scholarship.

    • They must not have pursued or completed a master’s degree previously.

  5. Leadership & Community Engagement:

    • Applicants should demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to community service.

  6. Age Limit:

    • General applicants must be under 35 years by the application deadline.

    • Refugees and students with disabilities should be under 40 years at the time of application.

  7. Special Considerations:

    • At least 70% of scholarships will be awarded to young women.

    • 25% of scholarships are allocated to refugees and internally displaced persons.

    • 10% of scholarships are designated for students with disabilities.

Application Process

Prospective candidates must submit their applications online. The process is completely free of charge, and applicants should beware of fraudulent individuals soliciting money in exchange for scholarship guarantees.

Simply follow these steps:

  1. Create an account or Sing up on this portal :https://apply.mcfsp.mak.ac.ug/user/register
  2. Check your email for a confirmation message & create a password
  3. Log in, fill-in to completion and submit your application

2. Resume Filling in your Application

This platform allows you to save your application and resume later. To resume a previously started application, follow these steps

  1. Go to your Profile page.
  2. Scroll to "My Incomplete Submissions". This section lists your incomplete applications
  3. Click "Edit" under the Actions column and start editing your application
  4. Remember "Saving is safer"

Important Deadlines:

  • Application Submission Deadline: Friday, 6th June 2025 (11:59 PM EAT).

  • Selection Process: June – August 2025.

  • Final Results Announcement: End of August 2025.

Selection Process & Ethical Guidelines

The Department of Academic Registrar at Makerere University is responsible for handling admissions and scholarship applications. The selection process ensures fairness, merit, and transparency. Any form of dishonesty, including falsification of documents or impersonation, will result in disqualification and possible legal action.

Additionally, applicants must understand that filling out an application does not guarantee a scholarship award. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further evaluation.

Key Takeaways

  • The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University provides fully funded master's scholarships to academically talented yet financially disadvantaged students.

  • Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria, including financial need, leadership potential, and age requirements.

  • The application process is completely free, and students must submit their applications before 6th June 2025.

  • The programme prioritizes gender inclusivity, support for refugees, and individuals with disabilities.

  • Ethical practices and transparency are paramount, and fraudulent activities will lead to disqualification and legal consequences.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Scholarship at Uniplus Global to apply

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