Do you want to continue your studies in the USA on a scholarship? The United States of America has numerous fully funded Master’s scholarships for international students, including Africans. In this write-up, you will see a list of fully funded scholarships in esteemed Universities and Colleges in the USA, how to apply and the scholarship grants.
List of Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships in the USA
In the US, there are over 1500 fully funded masters scholarships for 2025-2026 session open to international students in top Universities and colleges.
Below are links to full Scholarships for International Students in the USA.
MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program
The primary focus of the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program is to help train bright yet economically marginalized youthful people in Africa and developing countries who have the mindset and intention to help their society grow and overcome challenges
It’ll transition promising youthful people from heirs to donors, preparing them with the values, knowledge, expertise, and leadership to fuel profitable and social progress across Africa.
The Scholarship Program is anticipated to profit youthful people by 8 to 10 times. The following US universities are partnering with MasterCard Foundation to offer literacy for scholars from Africa and developing countries.
1. Wellesley College’s MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program
As part of the Scholars Program, Wellesley will give nine( 9) African women comprehensive support that includes literacy, mentoring, comforting, and externship openings for undergraduate studies. Scholars at Wellesley will make gests, values, and capabilities that are critical to success in the global frugality, and that enables them to give back to their communities and home countries. The scholars will arrive in groups of three scholars each time.
Position of Study: Undergraduate degree
Former Operation Deadline: September to around January/ February
2. Stanford University’s MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program
At Stanford University USA, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program will provide support to 20 talented but economically underprivileged scholars from Africa over the coming eight times to gain literacy in the USA. The Scholars Program will support five( 5) undergraduates from sub-Saharan Africa each time.
Position of Study: Undergraduate degree
Former Operation Deadline: September to around January/ February
3. Arizona State University( ASU) MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program
Arizona State University received 10 undergraduate scholars from seven African nations in 2012, as the first class of MasterCard Foundation Scholars to begin studies at ASU. As part of this program, ASU will admit $27.5 million over the coming seven times to give academically talented, yet financially underprivileged scholars from Africa, who are dedicated to helping their communities and home countries, by offering top-notch education. The program will eventually support 120 scholars at ASU.
Position of Study: Undergraduate degree
Former Operation Deadline: admission operation 01 January; education deadline February 01
4. University of California, Berkeley MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program
At the University of California, Berkeley, the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program will give holistic support to 113 scholars from Sub-Saharan Africa from 2012 to 2020. The scholarship is available for both undergraduate and professional master’s degrees.
Position of Study: Undergraduate and Master’s degrees
Former Operation Deadline: For undergraduate, 30th November
For masters: from 1 December to 8 January
5. Michigan State University( MSU) MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program
The MasterCard Foundation has partnered with Michigan State University to give full educational literacy to undergraduate and graduate scholars from Sub-Saharan Africa. The university will admit $45 million in funding from the foundation to support 185 scholars throughout the nine-year program, which includes 100 four-year undergraduates and 85 master’s degree scholars.
Position of Study: Undergraduate and Master’s degrees
Former Operation Deadline: 15 February
6. Duke University’s MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program
The initial class of The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at Duke University represents the intellect and energy of the youth of Sub-Saharan Africa. With a financial commitment of $13.5 million from The MasterCard Foundation, Duke University will educate seven( 7) classes of five( 5) scholars from Sub-Saharan Africa — an aggregate of 35 scholars — over the coming 10 years to achieve literacy in the USA.
Position of Study: Undergraduate degree
Former Operation: Deadline January
Government Scholarships in the USA
7. Foreign Fulbright Student Program
The Fulbright Program is a scholarship for international students who want to pursue a Master’s or Ph.D. degree. Literacy can also be awarded for non-degree postgraduate studies. The entitlement covers education figures, handbooks, airfare, a living paycheck, and health insurance.
Position of Study: Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in fields including interdisciplinary bones, except for medical degree programs or clinical medical research.
Deadline: varies by country. Forthe case in general, the Nigerian Fulbright Scholar operation process opens in February of every year, with operations due in May
Select your country and get specific details on the Scholarship Page
8. Joint Japan/ World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program Japan
The World Bank and the Government of Japan, through the Joint Japan/ World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program, offer literacy for Master’s Degree to postgraduate scholars from developing countries. Eligible aspirants should propose a program of study related to development at the master’s level, in fields similar as economics, health, education, husbandry, terrain, natural resource operation, or other development-affiliated subjects.
Position of Study: Master’s degree
Former Operation Deadline: March 31
9. Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowships for International Students- USA
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program is a non-degree program for educated professionals interested in strengthening their leadership chops through a collective exchange of knowledge and understanding about issues of common concern in the U.S. and the Fellows’ home countries.
Position of Study: Fellowship for professionals
Former Operation Deadline: Embassies and Commissions must tender their recommendations to the Institute of International Education office in Washington, DC by October 1. The deadlines for aspirants vary by country.
Scholarship Page for African nationals and Non-African countries
10. Zawadi Africa Education Fund Undergraduate Scholarship for Women- in Partnership with Google
The Zawadi Africa Education Fund was formed to provide undergraduate literacy to academically blessed girls/ women from underprivileged backgrounds in Africa to pursue advanced education in the USA, Uganda, Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya.
Position of Study: Undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and/ or ICT
Operation Deadline Varies
FAQs
What are some of the top fully funded master’s scholarships available in the USA for 2025-2026?
Some of the top fully funded scholarships for master’s programs in the USA for 2025-2026 include the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program at Stanford University, the Yale University Scholarships, the Gates Scholarship, and the AAUW International Fellowships for Women. These scholarships cover tuition, living expenses, travel costs, and other academic-related fees.
Who is eligible to apply for fully funded master’s scholarships in the USA?
Eligibility varies by scholarship, but common requirements include having a strong academic background, meeting English language proficiency standards (like TOEFL or IELTS scores), holding a bachelor’s degree, and demonstrating leadership potential. Some scholarships may be restricted to certain nationalities or academic disciplines.
How can international students apply for fully funded master’s scholarships in the USA?
International students can apply by first identifying scholarships that align with their academic goals. They must then prepare application documents such as academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, a research proposal (if applicable), and standardized test scores (like GRE/GMAT). Most scholarship applications are submitted online through the official university or program websites.
When is the best time to apply for these scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year?
The ideal time to begin the application process is between August and December 2024. Most scholarship deadlines fall between October and February for the following academic year. Applicants are encouraged to start early, as gathering documents, writing essays, and obtaining recommendation letters can take time.
Also Read: How To Migrate To UK As a Student or Job Seeker With or Without Your Family
