An African graduate interested in technology, engineering or data science may find the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Arizona State University worth preparing for. Its on-campus master’s awards cover several major expenses, but the programme funds only selected courses, and the latest application deadline has already passed. Here is what applicants should know before planning for another round.
Status: Closed. The deadline for the 2027/2028 intake was September 27, 2026 (checked October 14, 2026). ASU has not announced the next round yet.
Which ASU scholarship programme is relevant?
ASU’s current programme is Phase III, Innovation and Technology. That does not mean applications are open today. The published 2027/28 deadline was September 27, 2026. Previous phases should not be confused with a new admission cycle.
- Phase III, Innovation and Technology (master’s): the current scholarship phase offered 30 graduate opportunities for 2027/28, but its application window is closed.
- Phase I (undergraduate): closed. ASU says it no longer accepts applications for undergraduate cohorts.
- Phase II: finished. It was only for students at KNUST and Ashesi University in Ghana.
Old announcements can remain online after deadlines pass. Use the ASU Phase III announcement as your first point of reference for current dates, approved courses and application instructions.
Who can apply
- Young African professionals who face real financial barriers to study.
- Applicants who want a two-year, full-time, on-campus master’s degree at ASU.
- ASU strongly encourages women, refugees and displaced people, and people with disabilities to apply.
Nigeria: the official pages describe the programme as open to African applicants. They do not list eligible countries, and they do not exclude Nigeria.
Master’s degrees you can study
- MS Global Technology and Development
- MS Information Technology
- Master of Computer Science
- MS Data Science, Analytics and Engineering
- MS Robotics and Autonomous Systems
- MS Clean Energy Systems
- MS Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering
- MS Modern Energy Production and Sustainable Use
- MS Human Systems Engineering (Intelligent Systems)
What it covers
- Full tuition and fees.
- On-campus housing and books.
- Visa, airfare and medical expenses.
- Leadership development.
- Academic advising and support.
- A two-month internship between the first and second years.
Budget carefully: ASU lists housing and medical expenses among the benefits, but the published page does not explicitly promise a separate cash living allowance or a laptop. Do not assume these costs are covered unless the next offer letter or FAQ confirms them.
Is ASU Mastercard Foundation funding right for you?
Check the fit before spending time on an application. The published scholarship is for young African professionals facing financial barriers, studying full-time on campus in one of ASU’s approved master’s programmes. A general admission offer from ASU is not the same as a scholarship award.
- Good fit: an eligible African graduate whose interests match one of the nine listed technology, energy or development programmes.
- Not a fit: applicants seeking undergraduate funding, an unrelated master’s degree, or a scholarship open to every nationality.
- Still uncertain: applicants unsure whether their degree, professional background or nationality meets detailed selection rules. Use ASU’s published FAQ before applying.
Application preparation checklist
- Choose an approved degree and read its own admission prerequisites.
- Review ASU’s official scholarship FAQ and application flyer for required documents; do not assume last year’s list will remain unchanged.
- Prepare your academic records and a concise account of your experience, leadership and community contribution.
- Check that you can attend a two-year, full-time, on-campus programme rather than an online course.
- Record the next official opening and closing dates when ASU publishes them.
Frequently asked questions
Can Nigerian students apply?
Nigeria is not excluded from ASU’s published African applicant description, but eligibility is assessed under the programme’s full criteria. Check the FAQ for the next cycle.
Is the scholarship open to Indian students?
Not under the published Phase III eligibility, which is directed to young African professionals.
Can I apply for an ASU bachelor’s degree with this award?
No. Phase III lists specific master’s programmes. The earlier undergraduate phase is closed.
Does it cover all living costs?
ASU explicitly lists tuition, fees, on-campus housing, books, visa, airfare and medical expenses. Ask ASU about any expenses not named on the official list before relying on additional support.
How to apply
- Read the ASU Phase III programme page.
- Use the “Apply Now” button on that page. It opens ASU’s online scholarship application form.
- Read the FAQ and application flyer linked from the same page. They list the documents for the current round.
You apply through ASU, not through the Mastercard Foundation. Getting admitted to an ASU programme does not guarantee the scholarship.
What to prepare before the next application window
- Check the ASU page every few weeks. No date for the next round has been published.
- Pick your programme now. Only the nine master’s degrees above are funded.
- Document your work. Keep clear examples of professional projects, community service, leadership and the problem you want to solve with your master’s training. Use specifics rather than broad claims about passion.
- Look at other Mastercard Foundation partners. Other universities run their own Scholars Programs with different deadlines.
Related guides
- Fully Funded US Scholarships Beyond Fulbright: 5 Real Options (2027)
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program for Nigerians: Eligibility, Funding and How to Apply
- Fully Funded PhD Scholarships in the USA: No Application Fee Options for International Students (2027)
Status checked October 14, 2026, from mcfscholars.asu.edu. Check the ASU page for the next round before you apply.