Yale Young African Scholars (YYAS) 2027
Free university-prep programme for African secondary students: online workshop or residential summit in Rwanda.
Application status
Applications open
Regular Decision: 20 January 2027, 11:59 PM ET (05:59 on 21 January in Cameroon)
About this opportunity
Yale Young African Scholars is a free academic and leadership programme for African secondary school students who plan to go to university. You choose an online College Prep Workshop (about 240 places), a residential Leadership Summit in Rwanda, or apply for both. Sessions cover university admissions, financial aid, seminars with Yale faculty and leadership skills. The admissions committee gives preference to high-achieving, low-income students who have little university guidance at school. The Early Action deadline (20 October 2026) has passed; Regular Decision is still open.
Who can apply
- Citizen or permanent resident of an African country (refugees living in Africa can also apply)
- Currently attending school in an African country
- Aged 14–18 on the first day of the programme (15 July 2027)
- Graduating secondary school between May/June 2028 and May/June 2029 (Northern Hemisphere schools). This is roughly Lower Sixth or Form 5 in the Anglophone system, or Première or Seconde in the Francophone system. Check the YYAS eligibility page for your case
- Not in the final year of secondary school, and not a YYAS or YYGS alumnus
- Able to follow a demanding academic programme in English
What you get
- Tuition is free
- Residential summit: free housing, meals and course materials
- Need-based travel grants available for the residential summit
- University admissions and financial aid guidance
- Seminars, leadership training and networking with peers across Africa
- Certificate of completion