Scholarships

African Leadership University Mastercard Foundation Scholarships 2027 — Rwanda

Organization: Mastercard Foundation Funding type: Fully Funded Deadline: Nov 30, 2026

About this opportunity

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at African Leadership University (ALU) supports young Africans who demonstrate leadership potential but face financial barriers to higher education.

The programme places particular emphasis on young women, refugees and displaced persons, and young people with disabilities. It combines access to university education with ALU’s focus on leadership, practical learning and community impact. Official programme overview

ALU Rwanda is accepting applications for its January 2027 intake, with an application deadline of 30 November 2026. Scholarship consideration forms part of the university’s financial-aid application process. Current intake and application deadline

Scholarship value

ALU describes its scholarships as covering full tuition and additional financial support throughout a scholar’s studies.

The exact benefits and conditions depend on the scholarship contract and funding partner. The published guidance does not specify a fixed stipend amount or a universal package of travel and accommodation benefits. Official scholarship funding information

ALU also offers grants, which are separate tuition-fee waivers. A grant offer should therefore not be treated as a full scholarship. Scholarships and grants explained

Number of scholarships available

Scholarship places are limited for each intake, and selection is competitive. ALU has not published a specific number of awards for the January 2027 intake on the scholarship pages reviewed. Financial-aid availability

Eligibility criteria

To be considered, you should:

Demonstrate financial need and socioeconomic disadvantage through supporting documents.
Be unable to afford ALU tuition through other available aid.
Meet ALU’s admission requirements.
Have strong national examination results; the admissions guidance specifies at least a B average.
Show leadership potential.
Demonstrate community involvement and a commitment to giving back.

Women, refugees and displaced persons, and applicants with physical or learning disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply. Scholarship eligibility requirements

Age requirement: clarification needed. ALU’s main financial-aid page lists applicants aged 26 and below, while its admissions help article lists 23 and below. Applicants aged 24–26 should confirm the applicable limit with ALU Admissions before relying on the broader requirement. Financial-aid page · Admissions eligibility guidance

Academic and English requirements

You must meet both the university’s general entry requirements and the requirements for your chosen degree. These include secondary-school qualifications at A-Level or an accepted equivalent and the relevant subject requirements.

Applicants with foreign qualifications must obtain the required equivalence certificate. ALU also requires B2 English proficiency for an unconditional admission offer. Academic entry requirements

Check the accepted English qualifications and minimum scores to determine which evidence applies to you.

Undergraduate programmes

ALU’s undergraduate options relevant to the January intake include:

BSc. (Hons) Software Engineering
BSc. (Hons) Entrepreneurial Leadership

Review the entry requirements for your chosen programme in the official application guide.

International Business & Trade is available only for May and September intakes, according to ALU’s current admissions notice. It should not be selected on the assumption that it is available in January 2027. Programme availability by intake

Documents to prepare

For your admission application, prepare:

National examination results or an A-Level-equivalent transcript.
Secondary-school transcripts for Grades 10, 11 and 12.
Your passport biodata page, national ID or birth certificate.

Academic records must be in English or French and show your name, school, subjects and grades. Admission document requirements

ALU requires academic certificates and transcripts to be notarised. Admission may remain conditional until the required notarised documents are submitted. Notarisation guidance

For financial aid, the evidence required depends on your circumstances. It may include:

Household bank or mobile-money statements.
Employment termination or retirement letters.
An affidavit confirming a parent or guardian’s unemployment.
School-fee receipts or evidence that you attended without paying tuition.
Previous scholarship or sponsorship letters.
Relevant guardianship, bereavement or humanitarian-status documents.

ALU’s guidance specifies that household-income documents should be no older than three months. Financial-aid supporting documents

How to apply

Register through ALU’s official application page. Start at Apply to ALU and follow the registration process.
Complete your admission information. Follow the emailed instructions to provide your academic history, personal information and required documents. Application journey
Indicate that you need financial aid. Follow the financial-aid portal link provided during your application.
Complete the financial calculator. Supply accurate household financial information so ALU can assess your eligibility to apply for funding.
Complete the financial-aid application if eligible. Provide the requested information, explain your financial circumstances and upload supporting evidence.
Complete the ALU Fit Challenge. The guide requires you to complete this in one sitting with a stable internet connection.
Submit both applications. Submit your financial-aid application, then return to the main admissions portal to submit your complete ALU application. Detailed application instructions

ALU states that applicants must complete and submit their own applications and that it does not charge application-service fees. Official application guidance

Application deadline

30 November 2026 — January 2027 intake.

ALU publishes this as its intake application deadline. The page does not specify a closing time or time zone. Complete the required admission and financial-aid steps early and follow any deadlines displayed in your application portal. Official deadline

Applications undergo rolling review, and consideration for a preferred intake depends on available places. Admissions deadline guidance

Selection process

ALU’s Financial Aid Office reviews the financial-aid application alongside the admission application. Possible outcomes include:

Offered: You receive a scholarship or grant offer.
Waitlisted: Further consideration depends on meeting outstanding requirements and the availability of scholarship places.
Declined: Your application is unsuccessful; ALU may consider some unsuccessful scholarship applicants for a grant.

Scholarship recipients must sign their scholarship contract by the deadline stated in the offer. Academic admission and scholarship funding are separate decisions. Financial-aid review and outcomes