Fortunately, there are many scholarships available specifically for students from low-income countries, offering them the financial and educational support they need to pursue their dreams.
In this article, we’ll be looking at the top 10 scholarships for students from low-income countries. Whether you’re looking to study abroad or at home, these scholarships can provide you with the support you need to reach your academic and professional goals.
- The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program enables scholars and young people across Africa to succeed. We know there is a need to address systemic barriers in higher education, strengthen capacity, support innovative solutions across critical sectors, and connect ecosystem actors to amplify our impact across the continent.
For you to earn a Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarship, interested applicants must apply through the university of their choice on or before their respective deadlines. It is recommended that you research the application guidelines of your chosen institution. The program funds both undergraduate and Master’s scholarships.
- The Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program enables graduate students, young professionals, and artists from abroad to study and conduct research in the United States. The program operates in more than 160 countries worldwide, with approximately 4,000 foreign students receiving Fulbright scholarships annually.
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is administered by binational Fulbright Commissions/Foundations or U.S. Embassies.
To apply for the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, applicants must find information about the program in their home country, including eligibility criteria and application guidelines. All Foreign Student Program applications are processed by the binational Fulbright Commissions and Foundations or U.S. Embassy offices.
The fellowship program awards dissertation fellowships to African doctoral students in sub-Saharan African universities conducting health-systems or sexuality-related research. By providing financial and research support, the program aims to encourage doctoral students to pursue their training in the region and thus contribute to the quality of university education in sub-Saharan Africa.
Interested applicants are to visit the official webpage of the fellowship and complete an online application when the application call opens.
- The China Scholarship Council Program
This program is a Chinese government-sponsored scholarship awarded by the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC) to international students wishing to study in Chinese universities affiliated with the CSC.
The scholarships are awarded to students through agencies like
- Chinese government scholarships through the university
- The Chinese embassy in other countries that have diplomatic relations with China
Interested students can prepare their application material and submit it directly to their university affiliated with CSC.
- The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) is a unique international framework through which Commonwealth countries offer university scholarships and fellowships to citizens of other member nations, forging lasting links across the Commonwealth and creating valuable opportunities for cultural and academic exchange.
Since its establishment in 1959, the CSFP has created life-changing educational opportunities for more than 38,000 individuals. Many have gone on to transform their communities, societies, and nations, helping to create a fairer, safer, healthier, and more connected Commonwealth.
Commonwealth Scholarships are funded in two ways:
- By individual governments and universities for study within those countries or institutions.
- The CSFP endowment fund is a central fund owned by and for Commonwealth governments that support Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships for students from all over the Commonwealth to study at universities in low and middle-income countries.
- The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program
His Highness the Aga Khan established the Aga Khan Foundation’s International Scholarship Program (ISP). The ISP aims to support gifted, outstanding students from developing countries who cannot finance their studies to pursue full-time postgraduate studies at reputable higher education institutions of their choice.
Interested students must contact the local office for application forms, deadline dates, and application requirements, as these may vary by country. Completed applications must be submitted to the agency from which the ISP application form was obtained. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
The Endeavour Postgraduate Leadership Award provides financial support for international applicants to undertake a postgraduate qualification at the Master or Ph.D. level either by coursework or research in any field in Australia for up to 2 years for the Masters and four years for the Ph.D.
The Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships are the Australian Government’s internationally competitive, merit-based scholarship program that provides up to AU$272,500 for study, research, or professional development opportunities between Australia and the world.
- The Turing Global South Mobility Scheme
The Turing Scheme is a competitive grant funding scheme of the UK Government that provides grants to organizations to fund individuals undertaking education and training in the UK to go on study or work placements across the world.
The scheme aims to offer mobility opportunities to UK students that enhance their skills and reinforce their learning through: (a) collaborating with researchers outside of the United Kingdom; participating in intellectual exchange with researchers in host institutions. Developing new perspectives for their work based on this exchange
- The Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) of Japan offers scholarships to international students who wish to study at Japanese universities as undergraduate and graduate students under the MEXT Scholarship Program.
The program aims to foster human resources who will become bridges of friendship between the grantee’s country and Japan through study in Japan and contribute to developing both countries and the wider world.
- Chevening Scholarship
The Chevening Scholarship is an international scholarship funded by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office that lets foreign students with leadership qualities study at universities in the United Kingdom.
The Chevening scholarship is considered one of the top scholarships for Master’s degree courses. The selection criteria for the Chevening Scholarship is a holistic process where applicants have to write motivational solid letters and show personal and academic achievements.
Conclusion
Each of these scholarships has its peculiar eligibility criteria and application procedures, but they all aim to provide educational opportunities to students from low-income countries. For instance, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides fully funded scholarships to students from sub-Saharan Africa, covering tuition, room and board, books and supplies, and travel expenses. On the other hand, the Fullbright Foreign Student Program provides funding for graduate students from around the world to study in the United States.
To be eligible for these scholarships, students from low-income countries typically need to demonstrate academic excellence, financial need, and a commitment to giving back to their communities. In addition, some scholarships may also require students to meet specific language or technical requirements.
If you’re a student from a low-income country and are interested in pursuing higher education, consider applying for one of these top 10 scholarships today. By taking advantage of these scholarships, students from low-income countries can access the best education the world has to offer and set themselves on the path to success. It is important to note that the specific scholarships, eligibility criteria, and funding levels may change over time. It is always a good idea to check with the scholarship provider or educational institution for the most up-to-date information.