McGill University Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Bursary 2026 – Closing Date: 31 August 2025

Hey future leaders and changemakers! 🚀 Are you dreaming of getting a world-class education and making a real impact in Africa? Then you absolutely need to hear about the **McGill University Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program**! This isn’t just any bursary; it’s a fully funded opportunity designed specifically for talented students from Africa to pursue their Master’s degree in Canada. Imagine studying at a top university, all expenses covered, and then returning to make a difference in your home community. Sounds amazing, right?

This incredible program aims to empower brilliant minds from across Africa who are passionate about transforming areas like nutrition, public health, public policy, and sustainable agriculture. Each year, 35 lucky students get the chance to be part of this life-changing experience. If you’re ready to level up your education and your impact, keep reading!

Who Can Apply?

So, is this bursary for you? Here’s what you need to know:

You must be eligible for admission to one of the approved Master’s programs at McGill University.
You should have NEVER previously enrolled in or completed a Master’s degree.
You must be a citizen of, and currently living in, an African country. (Check the official McGill website for the full list of eligible countries).
You need a valid passport and must be able to get a Canadian Study Permit as an International Student. Sorry, but if you have dual citizenship, asylee, refugee, or permanent resident status in the US, Canada, UK, or EU, you’re not eligible for this one.
Show off your awesome leadership skills and community involvement! You need a track record of service and activity.
You must genuinely want to give back to your home community after completing your studies.
Financial need is key here. You need to demonstrate that financial challenges have limited your educational opportunities.
You should be 35 years old or younger at the time of application.

While meeting these minimums is great, applicants with First Class Honors (or equivalent) generally have a stronger chance of getting in. You’ll also need a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) closely related to your chosen Master’s program.

What Does It Cover?

This is where it gets really exciting! The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is super comprehensive, meaning it covers pretty much everything so you can focus on your studies and making an impact:

Pre-arrival and immigration support to help you get settled.
**Full international student tuition fees** – no need to worry about those!
On-campus housing – a place to call home while you study.
A personal monthly stipend to cover your living expenses.
Access to academic tools and resources to help you excel.

How to Apply?

Ready to jump in? Here’s your step-by-step guide to applying for this incredible bursary:

**Check Your Eligibility First:** Make sure you meet all the criteria listed above on the official McGill website.
**Attend an Information Session:** This is crucial! You MUST register for and attend one of the information sessions. This is how you’ll get the special link to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application form.
**Complete the Scholars Program Application:** Fill out the specific Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application Form. Remember, you apply to this scholarship *first*, not directly to McGill yet!
**Provide Additional Documents:** If your application is pre-screened successfully, the Scholars Program team will ask for any further documents they need.
**Apply to McGill University:** Only after you’ve been successfully pre-screened by the Scholars Program will you be invited to apply directly to McGill University. You’ll even get a fee waiver for your McGill application and detailed instructions on how to apply to your chosen program.

Keep these key dates in mind:

**August 4, 2025:** Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program applications open.
**August 31, 2025 (4:00 p.m. EST):** Applications for the Scholars Program close. Make sure your first-stage application and eligibility assessment are done by this date!
**September 1 – December 10, 2025:** Successful pre-screened applicants will be invited to apply to McGill University.
**December 1, 2025:** Application deadline for Public Health and Biostatistics programs at McGill.
**January 15, 2026:** Application deadline for all other eligible programs at McGill.

For more detailed information, including eligible programs and full eligibility criteria, make sure to visit the official webpage:

Visit the Official Webpage of the McGill University Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

If this sounds like the right bursary for you, don’t wait — seize this incredible opportunity! Apply now and explore more life-changing bursaries on Bursaries Room!