Several citizens are no longer able to access quality education in Zimbabwe. The majority of such aspiring students are constantly on the lookout for fully funded scholarships in Zimbabwe. The poor performance of the Zimbabwe economy has made attainment of education tough. Several scholarship programs with a focus on Africa are benefiting several people across the continent and this includes Citizens of Zimbabwe.
Citizens of the landlocked South African country struggle with accessing quality education following several years of economic decline. The resulting impact of the farmland reallocation was later complicated by the withdrawal of foreign aid following Zimbabwe’s involvement in the Congo War, which cost millions of dollars. These factors contributed to Zimbabwe’s economic misfortune with impacts on nearly all sectors of the country including the education sector.
The withdrawal of the foreign aid impact still exists, and this makes fully funded scholarships in Zimbabwe tougher to attain than in other African countries. Several scholarship benefits are enjoyed by other African countries as a result of foreign aid. Even though the international view of Zimbabwe seems to be improving in recent times, the damage already done is having far-reaching implications, especially on the country’s education system.
Because of these situations, accessing fully funded scholarships in Zimbabwe can be a huge relief for individuals lucky enough. Despite the limitation of Western aid to Zimbabwe, several other organizations and institutions are not entirely leaving Zimbabwe in the dark. The MasterCard foundation is one of such institutions which have not excluded Zimbabwe from their African focused scholars programs.
The MasterCard Foundation is a philanthropic organization with an African-centric wing. They undertake a scholars program aimed at improving education in Africa to refine the next generations of leaders on the continent. This program is available to Zimbabwe citizens. Perhaps you are not from Zimbabwe or Would prefer another scholarship scheme! Click here to Check out this Ottawa University Scholarship.
Criteria for application for the Fully Funded Scholarships in Zimbabwe
Applicant must be a citizen of a sub-Saharan African country and Exhibit leadership and academic Excellence. As noted earlier, this program is aimed at building the next generation of leaders in Sub-Saharan Africa. For success in the application process, an applicant is expected to manifest proof of intelligence and leadership.
Have an interest in advancing society: Applicants are also expected to be humanists. Shaping leadership excellence is too important a power to be built in the wrong minds. All through history, bad and good leaders abound. They all use their effectiveness in the instrument of leadership like oratory, pragmatism and strategies to advance their objective.
The difference between a bad leader and a good leader is really not in the skills but in the objective; this is why the MasterCard foundation is very committed to realizing individuals who would deploy the acquired knowledge during the time of the scholarship for the good of the society. Being able to prove your willingness to give back to humanity may improve the chances of your application scaling through.
Indicate Financial Transparency: Even though the MasterCard foundation program aims to offer a form of relief for students, there are some stipulated financial requirements one must meet before qualifying for the scholarship. This is aimed at ensuring that individuals are not in debt as such will ensure a judicious deployment of the program benefits.
On the other hand, there’s no direct focus on the financial disposition of applicants. The primary goal is to present a transparent financial record. It is an open platform, and leadership improvement is not a preserve of the poor or rich. Anybody can be a great leader, and such greatness starts with transparency. Note that the foundation doesn’t financially discriminate; however financial transparency is crucial to succeeding in your application.
What successful Applicants stand to Benefit
Fully funded tuition: Applicants who are looking for fully funded scholarships in Zimbabwe would find the full tuition coverage of the MasterCard Foundation scholarship program interesting. This would help successful applicants focus on their studies rather than worry about raising tuition.
Living expenses support: Apart from tuition relief, successful applicants would be provided with stipends. With judicious use of these resources, the beneficiary would be able to pay for essentials like accommodation, meals and other fundamental care.
Additional academic benefits: Apart from the core educational scholarship package, beneficiaries also get other academic support like mentoring, guidance and other resource access.
Leadership internship: From the very beginning. The MasterCard Foundation has stressed its aim of refining the next generations of leaders in Africa. Participants in the scholarship partake in different leadership activities like training, oratory, strategic studies and learning other qualities suitable for astute leadership.
Networking: Leadership is about interaction. First, interaction between a leader and other leaders and second, interaction between the leader and the led. The requirements of modern leadership necessitate that leaders become a part of a network of people. The program makes such a network possible for its benefactors; you will meet other leaders in training; by so doing, you learn to lead and even how to be a follower. Every leader ought to be the follower they aspire to lead.
Target institute of studies
The MasterCard Foundation partners with different institutions of great repute in Africa and beyond. These institutions include American University (Cairo, Egypt), Asheshi University (Ghana), University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University (both in South Africa). Institutions outside the African continent and in partnership with the program include University of Toronto, Canada and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.
How to apply
The prestigious MasterCard scholarship could prove highly competitive. There’s a yearly application window with a deadline determined by target partnering institutions.  The application process starts with an application interest form submission accompanied by a recommendation letter,  transcript and personal statement.
The MasterCard Foundation Scholars program is a brilliant opportunity for people seeking fully funded scholarships in Zimbabwe. This scholarship program comes with life-shaping benefits that would craft participants into individuals of prestigious repute within their immediate society.
Since the scholarship program is a yearly event with no stipulated date, interested individuals are advised to follow up with the MasterCard Foundation for timely updates. For applications, inquiries and updates: Click Here