Top Scholarships for Students from Low-Income Countries

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program helps scholars and young people succeed across Africa. This is one of the top scholarships for students from low-income countries.

We recognize the need to address systemic barriers to higher education, build capacity, support creative solutions in key industries, and link ecosystem actors to increase our impact on the continent.

To be eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, interested candidates must submit an application through the university of their choosing on or before the deadline for that university. It is advised that you look into the admission requirements of your preferred institution. Both master’s and undergraduate scholarships are supported under the program.

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program

Graduate students, young professionals, and artists from overseas can study and perform research in the United States thanks to the Fulbright Foreign Student Program. Over 4,000 international students receive Fulbright grants each year, and the program is active in more than 160 nations.

Binational Fulbright Commissions/Foundations or U.S. Embassies are in charge of managing the Fulbright Foreign Student Program.

In order to apply for the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, candidates must research the program in their country of residence, including eligibility requirements and application procedures. The binational Fulbright Commissions/Foundations or U.S. Embassy offices handle the processing of all applications for the Foreign Student Program.

The African Doctoral Dissertation Research Fellowship

The fellowship program offers dissertation fellowships to African doctoral candidates enrolled in sub-Saharan African universities who are pursuing health systems or sexuality-related research. The program’s goal is to encourage PhD candidates to complete their training in the area and so improve the standard of higher education in sub-Saharan Africa by offering financial and research support.

When the application call opens, interested candidates should visit the Fellowship’s official website and submit an online application.

• The China Scholarship Council Program

Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC) grants these scholarships, which are financed by the Chinese Government, to foreign students who want to enroll in CSC-affiliated Chinese universities.

This top scholarship for students from low-income countries is given to students by organizations like:

• Chinese government grants offered through universities
• Chinese embassies abroad in nations with whom China maintains diplomatic ties.

The application materials for interested students can be prepared and sent directly to their preferred CSC-affiliated university.

• The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan

The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) is a special international framework through which Commonwealth countries provide university scholarships and fellowships to citizens of other member countries. This fosters enduring relationships within the Commonwealth and offers priceless chances for cultural and academic exchange.

The CSFP has provided more than 38,000 people with opportunities for education that have changed their lives since it was founded in 1959. Many went on to change their localities, cultures, and countries, therefore fostering the development of a Commonwealth that is more equitable, secure, healthy, and connected.

There are two ways that Commonwealth Scholarships are funded:

• For research within certain nations or institutions, by specific governments and colleges
• By the CSFP endowment fund, a central fund owned by and for the governments of the Commonwealth that provides funding for Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships for students from throughout the Commonwealth to attend institutions in low- and middle-income nations.

• The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme

The International Scholarship Program (ISP) of the Aga Khan Foundation was started by His Highness the Aga Khan. The ISP intends to support brilliant, exceptional students from poor nations who lack any other means of funding their studies in order to pursue full-time postgraduate study at recognized higher education institutions of their choice.

For application forms, deadlines, and prerequisites (which may vary by region), interested students must get in touch with the local office. Applications that have been fully filled out must be delivered to the organization where the ISP application form was obtained. Applications submitted after the deadline or with missing information won’t be considered.

• The Endeavour Postgraduate Scholarship Awards

The Endeavour Postgraduate Leadership Award offers financial assistance to international applicants who wish to pursue a Masters or PhD in any discipline in Australia for up to 2 years for Masters degrees and 4 years for PhD degrees.

The Australian Government’s highly competitive, merit-based Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships program offers up to AU$272,500 for study, research, or professional development opportunities between Australia and the rest of the globe.

• Chevening Scholarship

This is another top scholarships for students from low-income countries. The Chevening Scholarship is an international scholarship that allows foreign students with leadership potential to study at universities in the UK. It is funded by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

One of the most prestigious scholarships available for master’s degree programs is the Chevening scholarship. The Chevening scholarship selection process is a comprehensive one, requiring applicants to provide compelling motivational letters and evidence of both academic and personal success.