Applications now open for the Yale Young African Scholars Program
Yale Young African Scholars (YYAS) is an intensive academic and enrichment program designed for African secondary school students planning to pursue tertiary education and who wish to make meaningful impact as young leaders on the continent. Details about YYAS 2025 and how to apply can be found here.
Participants will enhance their academic skills, receive guidance on university admissions and career path options, and join a network of young leaders from across Africa.
SUMMER 2025 OFFERINGS: Yale Young African Scholars Program
In 2025, YYAS will offer two programs…
- Online College Prep Workshop
- Residential Leadership Summit (in Kenya)
There are no tuition costs for participation in either program.
Over the course of both programs, participants will utilize various online platforms, including Zoom, to engage in seminars, lectures, and discussions. Additionally, each year the residential program will take place on a host campus in an African country. All relevant program information will be communicated directly to admitted participants.
Please note YYAS is not an undergraduate or graduate scholarship program. Our resources page has information on various global scholarship programs.
Yale Young African Scholars (YYAS) is a proud member of the HALI Access Network and continues to enjoy support from The Whitney and Betty MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies at Yale. YYAS was modeled off its sister program, Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS), and continues to operate under its umbrella.
Application Requirements – Yale Young African Scholars Program
The following list describes the typical YYAS requirements, although the most up-to-date and accurate information is always in the application.
The following three (3) components are required of all applicants:
- Completed application form – The application can be found online and must be filled out by the applicant. Students will be asked to complete one 500-word essay and two short responses, and must provide information on their extracurricular activities and the school that they currently attend.
- Official transcript or grade report(s) – A student transcript is an official document provided by the school and includes the applicant’s list of courses and grades received. Students must upload their official transcript or grade report(s) for each year of secondary school (in general, this is the international equivalent of grades 9, 10, and 11). National exam scores, if available, should also be submitted but are not required. If a student has changed secondary schools at any point, they must include records both from their previous AND their current school. Please refrain from uploading certificates or transcripts from primary school.
- One (1) teacher recommendation – The recommendation must be filled out via the Online Recommendation Form that will be sent to a teacher’s email after the student provides their contact details. An email will be sent with a link to the Form and instructions on how to fill it out. The recommendation must be written and submitted by a teacher who knows the student well. Recommendations from parents/guardians, siblings, relatives, family friends, and/or paid private tutors/counselors will NOT be accepted.
We place great importance on these recommendations because we understand that students come from a wide variety of backgrounds and education contexts. We appreciate teachers taking the time to write recommendations for their student(s). To ensure sincerity, we ask that teachers please refrain from sharing their recommendations with students.
Be sure to click the “SUBMIT” button on the last page for your application to be considered.
YYAS reviews all applications holistically, and there are no minimum grade or standardized exam score requirements. However, a high level of English proficiency will be expected.
Decision Notification: Applicants will be notified electronically of admissions decisions by late March.
In order to apply to YYAS, applicants MUST fulfill all of the following requirements:
- Age: You must be between the ages of 14-18 years old on the program dates in 2025 in order to be considered (i.e. born between 18 August 2006 and 17 July 2011). Please note that a typical YYAS student is between the ages of 16-17.
- English: You must be able to participate in a rigorous academic curriculum conducted in English.
- Citizenship: You must be a citizen or permanent resident of an African country. YYAS will also accept applications from refugees living in an African country.
- School location: You must currently attend school in an African country.
- Grade Level: You must be a current 10th or 11th grade student (or the international equivalents).
- Graduation date: If you attend school in the Northern Hemisphere, you must be graduating secondary school by earliest May/June 2026 and no later than May/June 2027. If you attend school in the Southern Hemisphere, you must be graduating secondary school by earliest November/December 2025 and no later than November/December 2026.
If you are currently in your final year or term of secondary school, have already graduated secondary school, or are a university student, then you are NOT eligible to apply.
If you are a YYAS or YYGS alumnus/a, you may NOT apply or reapply for YYAS. (*However, if you are a YYAS alumnus/a, you can apply to YYGS if eligible.)
