Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
- What is the purpose of this scholarship?
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University aims to bring together gifted leaders and changemakers from across Sub-Saharan Africa at the master’s level who aspire to improve and transform nutrition, public health, public policy, and sustainable agriculture across Africa.
- What are the benefits of the scholarship?
The Mastercard Foundation Scholarship is comprehensive and it covers not only full tuition but all costs related to attending McGill University. That includes:
- Pre-arrival and immigration support
- Full international student tuition
- On-campus housing
- Personal monthly stipend
- Academic tools and resources
- How many scholarships are available?
There are 35 scholarships available every year across 11 graduate programs.
- Who is eligible to apply for the scholarship?
The scholarship is intended for citizen and residents of the African continent. Priority will be given to women, people living disabilities, refugees and internally displaced people. A comprehensive list of the requirements is available on the “Eligibility” page.
- Is attending an information session mandatory?
Yes. The McGill Mastercard Foundation Application Form will be shared with applicants who register for and attend one of the five information sessions.
- Is the scholarship available at the undergraduate level?
No. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University offers scholarship at the graduate level.
- Can I apply for other scholarships at McGill University even if I am not selected for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?
Yes. Each scholarship has its own application process and requirements.
Eligibility
- What are the eligibility requirements for McGill Graduate Programs?
The general eligibility requirements can be found on the McGill Graduate Admissions website. Each program has additional eligibility requirements such as relevance of prior studies, minimum mathematics requirements, work experience, etc. Please consult your program requirements for more information.
- How do I verify if my degree meets the equivalency requirements for McGill Graduate Programs?
Use the educational credentials and grade equivalencies tool to assess your degree equivalency.
- Where can I find the specific departmental requirements for the program I am interested in?
Review the list of eligible programs.
- Can I apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program if I do not meet the McGill University graduate admission requirements?
No.
Application Forms
- How do I create a McGill University Graduate Application profile?
Applicants who are pre-screened to move to the next step of the application process will be provided with instructions.
- Where can I find the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application form?
Please refer to our “Apply” page for more information. Please note the application form will only be available to applicants who have attend an information session.
- What happens if I do not complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application form by the deadline?
All applications must be received by the stated deadline. No late applications will be considered.
Pre-Screening
- What does the pre-screening phase involve?
Pre-screening for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a two-step process. Your preliminary answers will be evaluated, applicants who meet the minimum criteria will be contacted and invited to supply additional information.
- How long does it take to be notified of the results of the pre-screening phase?
Applicants can expect to hear from us within 4 to 6 weeks of submitting their application. Please note the processing time is subject to change depending on the volume of applications received.
- What criteria are used during the pre-screening phase for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?
- Age requirement
- Country of residence and citizenship
- Motivation for applying for the scholarship
- Must NOT have started or completed a master's degree
- Meet the academic requirements for the program of interest
Submission of Application to McGill University
- What happens if I am successful during the pre-screening phase?
Successfully pre-screened applicants will be offered a fee-waiver and instructions on how to apply for admission to the University. Only students who received the fee-waiver will be considered for the scholarship. Applicants who gain admission to McGill who applied directly to McGill without the fee waiver are not eligible for the scholarship.
Conditional Admission & Scholarship Decision
- What is Conditional Admission?
Under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application process, prospective Mastercard Foundation Scholars are offered conditional admission to McGill University. Admission is conditional to being awarded the scholarship to participate in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. It is not a regular admission to the University.
- When will I be notified if I am admitted to my program of study at McGill University?
Admission decisions are issued on a rolling basis from February – March.
- What happens if I am admitted to McGill University but not awarded the scholarship to participate in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?
If you are unsuccessful in being awarded the scholarship, your conditional admission to McGill University will be cancelled. Unsuccessful applicants are welcome to reapply the following year.
- If admitted, when will I know if I have been selected for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?
Scholarship decisions are communicated in late March, early April.
- Can I appeal an admission and scholarship decision?
No. Admission to McGill University is extremely competitive and equally so for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. Only a limited number of applicants make it through the process due to a limited number of spots and scholarships available to an exceptionally large talented applicant pool.
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