Studying abroad is a dream for many African students. However, the financial burden can sometimes render this dream unachievable. Luckily, numerous universities worldwide offer full scholarships for deserving African students. Here is a comprehensive list of the top ten universities that provide such scholarships.
How Full Scholarships Work
A full scholarship covers the entire cost of tuition and related expenses, relieving the financial burden on students. Universities often base these scholarships on merit, through grades and extracurricular activities, though some take into consideration the financial needs of the student.
Top 10 Universities Offering Full Scholarships
1. Harvard University
Harvard University, one of the world’s most reputable institutions, offers several scholarships for international students, including Africans. The Harvard Undergraduate Bursary is a need-based award that covers tuition, room, board, and health insurance.
2. MIT
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has a need-blind admission policy for all students. International students are eligible for the same need-based financial aid as American undergraduates, ensuring affordability isn’t a barrier to receiving world-class education.
3. University of Oxford
The University of Oxford offers a handful of scholarships for African students, including the Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme which covers 100% of university and college fees, and provides a grant for living costs.
4. Cambridge University
Cambridge University also offers full scholarships to international students regardless of their nationality through the Cambridge Trust Scholarships. The scholarships cover tuition fees, maintenance allowances, and return airfare.
5. Stanford University
Stanford University offers need-based scholarships to international students, including Africans. The Stanford University Scholarship program covers tuition, room, and board for students from families with incomes below a certain threshold.
6. Columbia University
Columbia University offers the International Students Financial Aid Program, which awards financial aid grants to a significant number of students, covering tuition, fees, and living expenses.
7. Yale University
Yale University provides need-based financial aid awards that cover 100% of a family’s demonstrated need. This can include tuition, room and board, books, personal expenses, and travel costs.
8. University of Toronto
The University of Toronto offers the Lester B. Pearson International Students Scholarship, which covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and living expenses for four years.
9. University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne provides the Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship, which offers fee remissions and up to $56,000 living allowance for deserving students.
10. University of Cape Town
One of Africa’s leading universities, the University of Cape Town, provides the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program, a comprehensive scholarship for African students, which covers tuition, accommodation, textbooks, and stipends.
Importance of Full Scholarships
Full scholarships not only give financial relief but also enhance academic performance. Students can focus on their studies without the worry of gathering tuition and related costs. They also stimulate cultural exchange, diversity, and increase access to world-class education for financially constrained students.
Conclusion
Fortunately for deserving students with financial constraints, many renowned universities offer full scholarships. While this is not an exhaustive list, it outlines the different full scholarships that African students can take advantage of. The opportunity to study abroad without financial constraints is indeed possible, and obtaining a scholarship is the first huge step towards this aspiration.