Arizona State University Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (Fully Funded)

The Arizona State University (ASU) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is officially accepting applications for the 2027–2028 academic year, offering one of the most competitive fully funded scholarships for African students in the United States. As part of Phase III: Innovation and Technology, this prestigious award provides 30 fully funded graduate study opportunities for emerging African leaders and professionals seeking a fully funded master’s degree in the USA.

Hosted at ASU’s Tempe campus in Arizona, this two-year master’s scholarship focuses on building technical expertise, transformative leadership, and innovation capacity across high-demand fields including computer science, data analytics, artificial intelligence, clean energy, and sustainable engineering. For African applicants comparing fully funded scholarships in the USA for graduate students, this program stands out for combining academic rigor with leadership development tailored to real-world impact. Applicants relocating to the US should also review student visa and health insurance requirements, as valid coverage is typically required before enrollment.

Backed by the Mastercard Foundation, one of the largest scholarship funders globally, the ASU Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program offers generous financial support for international students, covering tuition, living expenses, and academic resources. For students seeking a tuition-free master’s degree in technology and innovation fields, this remains one of the top fully funded graduate scholarships in the USA for the 2027–2028 cycle.

Program Summary

Scholarship Benefits & Coverage

The ASU Mastercard Foundation Innovation and Technology Scholarship provides comprehensive financial, academic, and professional support:

• Full Tuition & Student Fees: 100% coverage of all academic tuition and university fees.
• Living Accommodations: Fully covered on-campus housing in Tempe, Arizona.
• Travel Expenses: Round-trip airfare from your home country to Phoenix, Arizona.
• Visa & Testing Costs: Full coverage of US visa processing fees and English language proficiency test vouchers (if required).
• ASU Application Fee Waiver: Fee waiver code provided for official university graduate application upon selection.
• Stipends & Supplies: Allowance for books, academic resources, and living expenses.
• Health & Medical Care: Comprehensive health and medical insurance coverage.
• Leadership & Professional Enrichment: Access to signature leadership development programming, mentorship, and a mandatory two-month summer internship between Year 1 and Year 2.

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Eligible Master’s Degree Programs (2027–2028)

Applicants must select one eligible master’s program from ASU’s official designated list for the Innovation and Technology track:

• MS Global Technology and Development
• MS Information Technology
• MCS Computer Science
• MS Data Science, Analytics & Engineering (Computing and Decision Analytics)
• MS Robotics and Autonomous Systems
• MS Clean Energy Systems
• MS Civil, Environmental & Sustainable Engineering
• MS Modern Energy Production and Sustainable Use
• MS Human Systems Engineering – Intelligent Systems

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the 2027–2028 cohort, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

Citizenship: Must be a citizen of an African country.

Academic Standing: Hold an earned bachelor’s degree from a recognized university by August 2027 with a minimum cumulative GPA equivalent to 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Age Limit: Must be between 18 and 33 years old on or before September 27, 2026.

Graduate Study Status: Must not have previously completed or currently be enrolled in any graduate or master’s degree program.

English Proficiency: Meet ASU’s minimum English language requirements for graduate admission.

Leadership & Service: Demonstrate a proven record of community leadership, ethical service, and commitment to driving economic or social change in Africa.

Residency Commitment: Willing and able to relocate to ASU’s Tempe campus in Arizona for the full two-year study period.

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How to Apply: Step-by-Step Instructions

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Step 1: Complete Scholarship Application                 │
│ (Do NOT apply for ASU university admission yet)           │
└────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────┘
                             │
                             ▼
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Step 2: Application Review & Shortlisting                │
│ (Evaluated by ASU Mastercard Foundation Committee)       │
└────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────┘
                             │
                             ▼
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Step 3: Candidate Interviews                             │
│ (Shortlisted applicants invited for video/phone review)  │
└────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────┘
                             │
                             ▼
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Step 4: ASU Admission Guidance & Fee Waiver             │
│ (Nominated scholars receive fee waiver to apply to ASU)  │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Submit Initial Scholarship Portal Form: Complete the official online Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application for ASU.

Do Not Pay ASU Application Fees: Important: Do not apply directly for university admission to ASU or pay any application fees unless explicitly instructed by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Team.

Prepare Supporting Attachments: Prepare your academic transcripts, Curriculum Vitae (CV/Resume), personal statements/essays, and recommendation letters.

Interview & Selection: Candidates advancing in the selection process will be invited for an interview.

Official Graduate Admission: Finalists will be guided through the official ASU graduate application process and provided with a full application fee waiver.

Application Deadline

• Final Submission Deadline: Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 23:59 GMT.
• Note: Late submissions will strictly not be accepted or reviewed.

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