Yes. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is fully funded and lists major benefits such as tuition, accommodation, travel allowance, living stipend, and study materials. Recipient stories strongly support this. For example, Beatrice Somuah, a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at the University of British Columbia, said the scholarship “provides full tuition, living expenses, travel, and academic support.”

Coverage can differ by partner institution, but Global Scholarships recipients commonly describe support that goes well beyond tuition. Depending on the university, the package may include accommodation, airfare or travel support, visa-related costs, books or study materials, stipends, and mentoring or leadership support. According to Kengran Liza Vernyuy, a Mastercard Foundation scholar at the University of Edinburgh, it is a “prestigious and highly competitive scholarship” that covered tuition, accommodation, books, academic materials, airfare, visa fees, and a monthly stipend.

The program targets applicants who show academic excellence, ethical leadership, community engagement, and financial need, with some partner-specific emphasis on marginalized backgrounds and age limits. In the recipient stories, the scholarship is repeatedly framed around African applicants and changemakers. For instance, Ahmed Abubakari, a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at UC Berkeley, explained that it is awarded to “African changemakers who demonstrate a deep commitment to community transformation.”

Absolutely. A recurring theme across Global Scholarships recipient stories is that strong applicants do not rely on grades alone. They also show leadership, service, and a clear commitment to improving their communities. McLeod Asare, a Mastercard Foundation scholar at the University of Cambridge, said he shaped his application around “leadership experience, and strong commitment to social impact.” Beatrice Somuah also described the award as more than funding, calling it “a leadership journey.”

Recommendation letters and proof of English proficiency as part of the process. Recipient stories add more practical detail. At the University of Edinburgh, Enogba Ende said the process included “the details of a referee” as well as a degree certificate and academic transcript. In practice, applicants should prepare early for essays, references, transcripts, and any university-specific supporting documents.

Sometimes yes, but not always. The Global Scholarships overview says proof of English proficiency may be required, but recipient stories show that this depends on the institution and the applicant’s background. At UBC, Beatrice Somuah said that “UBC waived the GRE/IELTS requirement” because of her prior education in English. By contrast, Enogba Ende explained that IELTS was required for his Edinburgh route, while Samuel Osaretin Buraimoh said, “I did not take standardized tests” for the programs he applied to. Applicants should therefore check the exact language policy of their target university and program.

Very competitive. Multiple Global Scholarships recipients describe it that way directly. Euphrasia Atieno, a Mastercard Foundation scholar at the University of Edinburgh, called it “coveted and highly competitive.” That means strong applicants usually need a combination of academic strength, a clear story, leadership, and a convincing record of service or impact.

The strongest advice from Global Scholarships recipients is to start early, research carefully, and present an authentic story that connects your background with your goals. Ahmed Abubakari advised applicants to “Start early—give yourself time to refine your story.” Several recipients also mention reaching out to former scholars, refining essays multiple times, and clearly demonstrating leadership and long-term community impact.