WMI SCHOLARSHIP FOR AFRICAN

Interested in Becoming a WMI Scholar?

Our Ideal Candidate – We seek exceptional, community-focused students who face significant financial barriers to university education. An ideal WMI Scholar:

• Is 35 years of age or younger as of August 1, 2026
• Will study in their home country (or within their home region when local programs are unavailable)
• Has completed secondary school or is in the final year, with above-average or excellent grades
• Is applying to a university OR is currently enrolled in their first undergraduate degree or diploma program
• Plans to live and work in their home country or region after graduation
• Has previous volunteer experience and is committed to completing 100 hours of community service each year during their studies
• Has some financial resources, but cannot afford university without additional support
  • The WMI Scholarship is a partial scholarship and does not cover all tuition or living costs.
• Is a first-generation university student (preferred but not required)

Applications must be received by March 1 of each year to be considered for the following academic year. WMI Scholars are selected through an in-depth multi-step review process. The selected WMI Scholars will be emailed on August 1. Their names will also be published on our website homepage and the WMI Facebook page. Those who are not selected will also be notified after August 1.

Family members of WMI Staff and of WMI Scholars are not eligible to apply.

Please note: Use of uncredited ideas and content created by other persons and use of uncredited AI-generated content is plagiarism and goes against the policies and ideals of WMI. Any applicants found to have plagiarized their essays will be considered ineligible for a scholarship.

*Scholars planning to study in the United States, Canada, Australia, UK or Western Europe will not qualify for a WMI Scholarship

Tips for Becoming a Competitive Applicant

The following are suggestions to enhance your application:

• Record all of your service activities (dates, activities, time spent, photographs, etc.)
• Collect your secondary school transcript, national exam results and grading keys to interpret your results
• Request two letters of recommendation on official stationery from two people who know you professionally/personally and can showcase the reasons you deserve this scholarship
• Have all of your documents translated into English

Important Dates

• December 1, 2025 – The 2026 WMI Scholars Program application will be available on our website. Completed 2026 applications will start to be accepted on this date.
• March 1, 2026 – The 2026 WMI Scholars Program application deadline.