✨ Should I Apply for MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at Addis Ababa University?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
Low (Highly competitive due to thousands of applicants for limited slots)
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Full cost of attendance including all university fees and personal expenses
⏱
Duration
Full duration of the degree program (4-5 years for Undergraduate, 2 years for Masters)
🗓
Deadline
Typically July annually (Check official website for specific year dates)
🔬
Fields
All fields available at AAU with a focus on Agriculture, Health Sciences, Technology, and Business
🏆
Awards/Year
Varies (Approximately 100-200 scholars per intake cycle)
🏛️
Provider
MasterCard Foundation
📊
Acceptance
Estimated 3-5% based on historical application volume
The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at Addis Ababa University is a partnership that aims to provide quality education to high-achieving young people from across Africa who are economically disadvantaged. The program emphasizes transformative leadership and community service alongside academic rigor.
👥 Who Should Apply
Academically talented students who face significant financial barriers. Priority is given to female applicants, displaced persons (refugees), and persons with disabilities.
🏛️ Host University
Addis Ababa University
🔬 Fields of Study
All fields available at AAU with a focus on Agriculture, Health Sciences, Technology, and Business
✨ Key Benefits
The scholarship covers full tuition, room and board, monthly stipends, medical insurance, books, a laptop, and transportation. It also provides extensive leadership and career development programs.
🎯 Target Students
Domestic (Ethiopian) and International (Sub-Saharan African) students
🏷 Tags
Ethiopia
MasterCard Foundation
Addis Ababa University
Fully Funded
Undergraduate
Masters
Pan-African
💸 Funding Breakdown
Living Stipend
Yes (Monthly allowance for personal expenses)
Total Award
Full cost of attendance incl
✈️ Travel: Yes (Annual travel to home region and initial relocation)
🏠 Accommodation: Yes (On-campus housing or equivalent allowance)
💊 Health Insurance: Yes (Comprehensive medical insurance)
🔄 Renewable: Yes
💳 App Fee: Free
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Yes (100%)
🏠 Living Stipend
Yes (Monthly allowance for personal expenses)
🏡 Accommodation
Yes (On-campus housing or equivalent allowance)
✈️ Travel Allowance
Yes (Annual travel to home region and initial relocation)
💊 Health Insurance
Yes (Comprehensive medical insurance)
🎁 Other Benefits
Laptop, books, learning materials, leadership training, mentorship, and internship placement assistance
📋 Renewal Conditions
Subject to maintaining a minimum required GPA (usually 3.0+) and adherence to the university code of conduct
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Must be an Ethiopian national or from a Sub-Saharan African country, under 25 (UG) or 35 (Masters), from a socio-economically disadvantaged background, with high academic standing and leadership potential
🎓 Academic Level
Undergraduate and Graduate (Masters)
📊 Minimum GPA
Top 10% of graduating class or high scores on the Ethiopian Higher Education Entrance Certificate Examination (EHEECE)
🗣️ English Requirement
Proficiency in English is required as it is the medium of instruction at AAU
🎂 Age Limit
25 years for Undergraduate; 35 years for Masters
💼 Work Experience
Not required for Undergraduate; preferred for certain Masters programs
🏆 Leadership
High (Evidence of community service or leadership roles in school/community)
💰 Financial Need
Mandatory (Applicants must provide legal proof of economic disadvantage)
🎯 Target Students
Domestic (Ethiopian) and International (Sub-Saharan African) students
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Personal statement and responses to specific leadership/community impact prompts)
Rec Letters
Yes (Usually 2-3 academic and character references)
Interview
Yes (Shortlisted candidates must undergo an interview and home visit for verification)
Documents Required
- Academic Transcripts
- Passport / National ID
- Yes (Usually 2-3 academic and character references) Recommendation Letters
- CV / Resume
- Personal Statement / Essays
- Proficiency in English is required as it is the medium of instruction at AAU
- Interview: Yes (Shortlisted candidates must undergo an interview and home visit for verification)
- Min GPA: Top 10% of graduating class or high scores on the Ethiopian Higher Education Entrance Certificate Examination (EHEECE)
📋 Application Process
Ensure you have official documentation from local government (Kebele/Woreda) regarding your financial status. Focus your essay on how you intend to give back to your community.
💡 Insider Tip: Highlight any specific obstacles you have overcome. The program looks for resilience as much as academic brilliance.