2026 Arizona State University Mastercard Scholarship in USA | How to Apply
Arizona State University and the Mastercard Foundation are running a five-year plan, from 2025 to 2030, to train 120 young African leaders through scholarship – fully funded Master’s degrees built around technology, sustainable innovation, and clean energy — fields where Africa’s talent pipeline is still catching up to global demand. For the 2026/2027 academic year specifically, 30 of those places were on offer, spanning ten programmes from data science and robotics to civil and environmental engineering, all taught on ASU’s Phoenix campus over two immersive years with a paid internship built into the middle of the programme.
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Applications for this cohort closed September 14, 2025, nearly a year ago now, and selected scholars are expected to arrive in Phoenix this August to begin their studies. If you’re researching this scholarship ahead of a future cycle, this post covers exactly what it required and what it covered, so you’re not starting from zero once a new call opens.
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2026 Arizona State University Mastercard Scholarship Summary
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | Arizona State University Mastercard Scholarship |
| Host Country ⇒ | United States of America (USA) |
| Study Level ⇒ | Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships |
| Benefits ⇒ | Full Scholarship, Accommodation, Living stipends, Travel Costs |
| Funded By ⇒ | Mastercard Foundation and Arizona State University |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | All African Countries |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | September 14, 2025 |
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Available Graduate Programs
- MS Global Technology and Development
- MS Information Technology
- MS Human Systems Engineering – Intelligent Systems
- MS User Experience
- MSc Computer Science
- MS Data Science Analytics & Engineering
- MS Robotics and Autonomous Systems
- MS Civil, Environmental & Sustainable Engineering
- MS Clean Energy Systems
- MS Modern Energy Production and Sustainable Use
Scholars will benefit from:
- A traditional, immersive, on-campus learning experience for two years
- Opportunities to work part-time on campus
- A 2-month internship between the first and second year
- Participation in leadership programs, mentorship, and networking events
Eligibility Requirements for the Arizona State University Mastercard Scholarship
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Academic Qualification: Meet ASU’s entry requirements for the chosen master’s program, including English language proficiency.
- Nationality: Be a citizen of an African country.
- Age: Between 18 and 33 years old on or before the application deadline.
- Education: Hold a bachelor’s degree by August 2026.
- Experience: Demonstrate leadership skills, community engagement, and academic excellence.
- Commitment: Show a desire to return and contribute to your home country after graduation.
- Restrictions: Must not have started or completed another graduate degree before August 2026.
- Availability: Must be able to live in Phoenix, Arizona for the entire program duration.
Note: Incomplete or ineligible applications will not be considered.
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Scholarship Benefits
The scholarship covers all major expenses, including:
- Visa application fees
- English language test fees
- Program application costs
- Round-trip airfare to Phoenix, Arizona
- Full tuition fees, books, and university charges
- Medical insurance
- On-campus housing
- Participation in all scholarship-related programs
Required Documents for the Arizona State University Mastercard Scholarship
To apply for the 2026 Arizona State University Mastercard Scholarship, prepare the following:
- Completed Application Form (online or PDF)
- CV/Resume
- Letter of Recommendation
- Academic Transcripts
- Proof of English Language Proficiency (if required)
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How to Apply for the Arizona State University Mastercard Scholarship (Step-by-Step)
- Read the Guidelines: Carefully review the eligibility criteria and scholarship guidance.
- Prepare Your Documents: Gather your CV, transcripts, and letter of recommendation.
- Choose Your Application Method:
- Online Application: Click “NEXT” on the official page to start your online application.
- PDF Application: Download the PDF form if you have limited internet access, fill it out, and email it (with all attachments) to [email protected].
- Submit Before the Deadline: Ensure your application is sent before 14 September 2025, 23:59 GMT.
- Wait for Shortlisting: Selected candidates will be contacted for an interview via video or phone call.
- Final Decision: Scholarship results will be announced by February 2026.
- Travel & Begin Studies: Successful candidates will travel to Phoenix in August 2026 to start their program.
Application Deadline
Applications closed September 14, 2025 at 23:59 GMT.
Given this scholarship sits inside a five-year, 120-scholar commitment between ASU and the Mastercard Foundation running through 2030, a similarly structured call for a future academic year is a reasonable expectation, though no confirmed date has been published yet. If you’re preparing for a future cycle, start gathering your recommendation letters and transcripts well before any new deadline is announced, since ASU offers both an online and a PDF application route specifically to accommodate applicants with limited internet access- worth knowing if that applies to you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still apply for this scholarship cycle?
No. Applications closed September 14, 2025 at 23:59 GMT, and the process described doesn’t include a late submission option.
Am I still eligible if I already started a different Master’s degree?
No. One of the explicit restrictions was that applicants must not have started or completed another graduate degree before August 2026. If you’d already begun a different Master’s programme, this scholarship wasn’t available to you regardless of your other qualifications.
Do I need to be under a certain age to qualify?
Yes. Applicants needed to be between 18 and 33 years old on or before the application deadline — outside that range, you weren’t eligible even with a strong academic and leadership background.
Is it possible to study remotely, or do I have to relocate to Phoenix?
You had to relocate. The scholarship required availability to live in Phoenix, Arizona for the entire two-year programme — this wasn’t a hybrid or remote option.
What kind of internship did scholars get during the programme?
A two-month internship placed between the first and second year of study, alongside opportunities to work part-time on campus throughout the programme. This was built directly into the two-year structure, not something scholars needed to arrange separately.
Do I need to already have strong English test scores before applying?
Proof of English proficiency was required if applicable to your background, but the scholarship itself covered English language test fees as part of its benefits — so the cost of taking the test wasn’t a barrier, even though meeting ASU’s proficiency requirement was still necessary.
Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria in this post were verified from official sources as of August 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official Arizona State University website before submitting your application. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with Arizona State University or the Mastercard Foundation.
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