Best Scholarship Platforms 2026: Complete Comparison of FastWeb, Scholarship.com & 12 Others
Hook & Introduction
You’re searching for fully funded scholarships, and you’ve noticed something: there are hundreds of platforms claiming to help you find them.
FastWeb says it has millions of opportunities. Scholarship.com promises personalized matches. MastersPortal advertises the largest graduate funding database. Chances.com touts its “real scholarships, no scams” guarantee. The noise is overwhelming. You don’t know which platform actually works, which one wastes your time, or which is designed for someone your age and background.
Worse, many platforms are built for 18-year-old Americans looking for their first degree—not for you, a working professional in Kenya or Nigeria considering a master’s degree abroad.
Here’s the truth: not all scholarship platforms are created equal, especially for African students seeking fully funded opportunities. Some platforms are genuinely useful; others are data collection schemes dressed up as scholarship finders. Some have robust filtering for work experience and non-traditional backgrounds; others assume you’re 22 and fresh out of secondary school.
This guide cuts through the confusion. You’ll discover exactly which of the 14 most popular platforms actually work for African adults, what each platform specializes in, which ones explicitly fund full degrees versus partial tuition, and—critically—which ones you should prioritize based on your specific situation (returning to school, career change, age, field of study, funding needs).
By the end, you’ll know which platforms to spend time on and which to skip entirely.
What You’ll Learn & Gain:
- ✓ Honest comparison of 14 real scholarship platforms (what works, what doesn’t, for whom)
- ✓ Which platforms specialize in fully funded opportunities vs. partial funding
- ✓ How to identify scams and illegitimate scholarship “finders”
- ✓ The 3 platforms you should use first if you’re an African adult learner
Why Scholarship Platforms Matter (And Why You Need More Than One)
Most students make one critical mistake when searching for scholarships: they rely on a single platform.
This is like shopping at only one supermarket. You’ll find something, but you’re missing 80% of what’s available.
Scholarship platforms vary dramatically in their coverage. One platform specializes in American undergraduates. Another focuses exclusively on STEM fields. A third specializes in graduate funding for developing-world professionals. A fourth is partnership-based and only lists scholarships from specific universities. No single platform contains all scholarships available to you.
Additionally, some platforms have much better filtering for non-traditional students. If you’re 35, changing careers, and applying to graduate programs, a platform designed for 18-year-olds will waste your time showing you scholarships with age limits of 25 or emphasis on “first-generation college students” (a US-specific category that doesn’t apply to you).
The platforms that do serve African adult learners well often charge subscription fees or require you to upgrade to see full details. That’s where strategy comes in: you’ll learn which platforms justify that cost and which don’t.
The goal isn’t to use every platform. The goal is to use the right platforms for your specific situation—and to know the difference between a platform that’s comprehensive and one that’s just loud about being comprehensive.
The 14 Most Popular Scholarship Platforms: What You Need to Know
Let’s evaluate these platforms honestly—not based on their marketing, but on their actual utility for African adult learners seeking fully funded opportunities.
1. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What it is: Not a traditional database, but a direct scholarship program. Mastercard Foundation funds African students pursuing degrees at partner institutions globally.
Best for: African undergraduates and graduate students of any age seeking full funding.
Coverage: Fully funded (tuition + accommodation + living stipend + books + health insurance + travel)
Realistic funding: $30,000–$80,000+ annually (varies by institution and degree level)
Acceptance rate: ~5–8% (highly competitive but not impossible)
Adult applicant advantage: Explicitly welcomes non-traditional students. Evaluates maturity and clarity of purpose as heavily as academics. No upper age limit.
How to access: Apply directly through partner universities (over 300 institutions across Africa, Asia, and beyond). Visit Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program official page to find your target institution.
Time commitment: 4–6 weeks (substantial application)
Cost: Free to apply
Verdict: If you’re eligible (African student at a partner institution), this is your first priority. Mastercard is known for actually funding people.
2. DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What it is: Germany’s primary scholarship program for international students. Largest bilateral scholarship funder globally.
Best for: Professionals from developing countries (including all African nations) pursuing master’s degrees in Germany.
Coverage: Fully funded (€934/month stipend + tuition waiver + health insurance + travel grant)
Realistic funding: €11,000+/year (plus living costs covered by stipend)
Acceptance rate: ~15–20% (competitive but achievable)
Adult applicant advantage: Strong preference for candidates with 3+ years work experience. Career changers explicitly welcome. Evaluates professional motivation heavily.
How to access: Visit DAAD Scholarship Portal and filter by “developing country,” “master’s,” and “Africa.” Application through DAAD directly; you don’t apply to individual universities.
Time commitment: 6–8 weeks (extensive documentation and essays required)
Cost: Free to apply
Verdict: Gold standard for African professionals. If you’re considering Germany, DAAD is non-negotiable.
3. British Council Chevening Scholarship ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What it is: UK government-funded scholarship for future leaders from Commonwealth and other eligible countries.
Best for: African professionals with 3–10 years work experience pursuing one-year master’s degrees in the UK.
Coverage: Fully funded (tuition + accommodation + monthly stipend + travel)
Realistic funding: £20,000–£35,000 total per year
Acceptance rate: ~15% (highly competitive)
Adult applicant advantage: Requires work experience. Average awardee age is 28–32. Non-traditional career paths explicitly valued.
How to access: Visit Chevening official website, confirm your country’s eligibility (most African nations included), and apply directly. Deadlines typically November.
Time commitment: 6–8 weeks
Cost: Free to apply
Verdict: Excellent for mid-career professionals. One-year duration means less time away from work/family than many programs.
4. FastWeb ⭐⭐⭐
What it is: Largest scholarship database in the world. Aggregates scholarships from institutions, foundations, corporations, and government sources.
Best for: Primarily US-based undergraduates. Secondary value for international graduate students and career changers.
Coverage: Mixed (full scholarships, partial scholarships, grants, and some non-financial aid)
Realistic funding: $1,000–$50,000 (highly variable)
Acceptance rate: Varies by scholarship; no aggregate data
Adult applicant advantage: Basic filtering for age and work experience, but weak compared to specialized platforms. Designed with US students in mind.
How to access: Create free account at FastWeb.com. Take their profile quiz (10 minutes). Review matched scholarships daily as they’re added.
Time commitment: 10 minutes to set up; ongoing browsing
Cost: Free to use
Verdict: Good supplementary platform. Won’t be your primary source for fully funded graduate funding, but occasionally lists opportunities suitable for African professionals. Useful for scanning American private scholarships (corporations, foundations).
Common pitfall: FastWeb shows thousands of opportunities, which creates decision paralysis. Filter aggressively for “full ride,” “graduate,” and “international.”
5. Scholarship.com ⭐⭐⭐
What it is: Scholarship matching platform with 700,000+ opportunities in their database.
Best for: US-based students at all levels. Limited utility for international graduate students.
Coverage: Mixed (full to partial scholarships, grants, work-study)
Realistic funding: $500–$30,000 (highly variable)
Acceptance rate: Not published; varies widely
Adult applicant advantage: Some filtering for non-traditional students, but less sophisticated than dedicated adult-focused platforms.
How to access: Create free account at Scholarship.com. Complete profile matching quiz (5–10 minutes). Browse matched opportunities.
Time commitment: 10 minutes setup; ongoing browsing
Cost: Free basic membership; paid membership ($9.95/month) for “premium matches”
Verdict: Similar to FastWeb—useful supplementary tool, not primary source for African adults. Basic filtering works for US-based opportunities; weak international coverage.
Common pitfall: Premium membership upsell isn’t necessary. Free version finds the same opportunities.
6. MastersPortal ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What it is: Specialized database for master’s degrees and scholarships globally. Focuses exclusively on postgraduate opportunities.
Best for: African professionals seeking master’s degrees abroad. One of the best platforms for your demographic.
Coverage: Full to partial scholarships; heavy emphasis on fully funded opportunities at partner universities.
Realistic funding: Varies; platform shows tuition + living costs for each program
Acceptance rate: Not published
Adult applicant advantage: Explicitly designed for professionals and career changers. Filtering by work experience requirements is built-in. Strong coverage of European and North American master’s programs with funding.
How to access: Visit MastersPortal.com. Search by field, country, and funding type. Platform automatically matches scholarships to programs you’re interested in.
Time commitment: 20–30 minutes for comprehensive search
Cost: Free to search and view scholarships
Verdict: Excellent platform for African master’s students. Strong scholarship matching. Highly recommended for your situation.
7. FindAMasters ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What it is: Master’s degree search engine that includes scholarship information. UK-based but covers programs globally.
Best for: African professionals searching for master’s degrees with integrated scholarship information.
Coverage: Partial to full scholarships; scholarship info integrated with program details
Realistic funding: Varies by institution
Acceptance rate: Not applicable (database of programs, not scholarships)
Adult applicant advantage: Designed for working professionals considering master’s. Age and experience not barriers. Scholarship filters excellent.
How to access: Visit FindAMasters.com. Search by subject, country, and funding type. View detailed program and funding information side-by-side.
Time commitment: 30–45 minutes for initial search
Cost: Free to use
Verdict: Excellent companion to MastersPortal. Less comprehensive scholarship database but better program-scholarship integration. Use both together.
8. Chances.com ⭐⭐⭐
What it is: Scholarship matching platform emphasizing verification and fraud prevention. Focuses on connecting students to legitimate opportunities.
Best for: Risk-averse students wanting verified, scam-free opportunities.
Coverage: Mix of full and partial scholarships
Realistic funding: $1,000–$50,000+
Acceptance rate: Not published
Adult applicant advantage: Good filtering for career changers and non-traditional students. Clear verification badges for each scholarship.
How to access: Visit Chances.com. Create account. Answer profile questions. View matched scholarships with verified status badges.
Time commitment: 15 minutes setup
Cost: Free to use
Verdict: Good if you’re worried about scholarship scams (a real concern). Smaller database than FastWeb or Scholarship.com, but higher-quality curated content.
9. African Union Scholarship Portal ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What it is: Official African Union coordination hub for scholarships funded by African governments and partner institutions.
Best for: African citizens seeking funding from African governments and organizations. Excellent for within-Africa study options and regional partnerships.
Coverage: Mix of full and partial scholarships; many government-funded
Realistic funding: Varies; some very generous, some partial-only
Acceptance rate: Varies by funding source
Adult applicant advantage: Many programs explicitly welcome mature students and professionals. Less age discrimination than international platforms.
How to access: Visit African Union Scholarship Portal. Search by country of origin and study destination. Most scholarships have dedicated pages with deadlines and requirements.
Time commitment: 20–30 minutes for comprehensive search
Cost: Free
Verdict: Essential resource if you’re considering study within Africa or through African funding sources. Criminally underused by African adults seeking scholarships.
10. Government Education Ministry Databases ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What it is: Each African country maintains its own scholarship database. South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda all have substantial online resources.
Best for: Citizens of those specific countries. Often includes fully funded scholarships not advertised internationally.
Coverage: Mix of full and partial; often government-funded
Realistic funding: Varies; can be substantial
Acceptance rate: Varies
Adult applicant advantage: Many government programs explicitly support adult education and skills development.
How to access: Search “[Your Country] + Ministry of Education + Scholarships” or visit your country’s official education ministry website.
Examples:
- South Africa: Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) portal
- Nigeria: TETFUND (Tertiary Education Trust Fund) database
- Ghana: Ghana Education Service scholarship directory
- Kenya: State Department for University Education scholarship portal
Time commitment: 15–20 minutes per country
Cost: Free
Verdict: Critical resource. Many scholarships on government portals receive only domestic applications—less competition for you.
11. University Mature Student/Adult Learner Offices ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What it is: Direct funding from universities’ own budgets, specifically earmarked for non-traditional and mature students.
Best for: Adults returning to school. Often overlooked, so less competition.
Coverage: Usually full scholarships (tuition + living costs)
Realistic funding: $10,000–$60,000+ annually
Acceptance rate: Often 20–40% (universities struggle to fill these scholarships)
Adult applicant advantage: This is literally built for you. These scholarships exist because universities want diverse, mature cohorts.
How to access: Contact your target university’s graduate admissions office. Ask specifically: “Do you have scholarships for mature students, non-traditional students, or career changers?” Request their dedicated office contact if available.
Time commitment: 2–3 phone calls; 20 minutes research
Cost: Free
Verdict: Start here if you have specific target universities. Often your best odds of funding.
12. ProFellow ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What it is: Curated database of fully funded opportunities (scholarships, fellowships, grants) emphasizing social change and development sectors.
Best for: Professionals interested in development work, social entrepreneurship, nonprofit careers. Strong emphasis on funding for individuals from developing countries.
Coverage: Primarily full scholarships and fellowships
Realistic funding: Varies; often $20,000–$100,000+
Acceptance rate: Varies by program; typically 5–15%
Adult applicant advantage: Explicitly designed for professionals with work experience. Career changers valued. Impact potential emphasized.
How to access: Visit ProFellow.com. Browse opportunities by region, field, and funding level. Most opportunities have direct application links.
Time commitment: 30–45 minutes for thorough search
Cost: Free to search; premium membership ($200/year) for coaching (optional)
Verdict: Excellent if you’re interested in development, social justice, or nonprofit sectors. Strong emphasis on African leaders and African-focused work.
13. Ashoka Fellowship / Social Entrepreneur Funding ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What it is: Less a platform than a specific funding source. Ashoka funds individuals pursuing social entrepreneurship, with significant African presence.
Best for: Professionals interested in founding social enterprises or bringing innovation to development challenges.
Coverage: Full fellowships (typically includes funding to pursue your project)
Realistic funding: $15,000–$50,000+ (varies; some fellows get significant ongoing support)
Acceptance rate: ~3–5% (highly selective)
Adult applicant advantage: Non-traditional backgrounds strongly preferred. Life experience and demonstrated impact valued above credentials. No age limit.
How to access: Visit Ashoka.org. Explore “Join Our Fellowship” or search “Ashoka Fellow” plus your country. Apply directly.
Time commitment: 6–8 weeks (extensive application focusing on your social change idea)
Cost: Free to apply
Verdict: If you have an idea for social change and want funding to pursue it, this is powerful. Not traditional degree funding, but full support to develop yourself as a leader in your field.
14. Chances4Change / Local NGO Databases ⭐⭐⭐
What it is: Various local NGOs and foundations operate scholarship databases specific to regions or countries.
Best for: Finding funding specific to your country or region. Often less competitive than international platforms.
Coverage: Mix of full and partial
Realistic funding: Varies
Acceptance rate: Varies
Adult applicant advantage: Local organizations often understand adult education context better than international platforms.
How to access: Search “[Your Country] + scholarships + NGO” or “[Your Region] + education funding.” Examples: Ashoka-Africa, Acumen Fund, Room to Read (if in eligible countries).
Time commitment: 20–30 minutes per organization
Cost: Free
Verdict: Worth investigating. Local funding often requires local knowledge—and many international adults never check local sources.
Quick Comparison Table: Which Platform for Your Situation?
| Your Situation | Best Platform | Secondary Platforms | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| African professional, master’s degree | MastersPortal + DAAD | FindAMasters, Mastercard Foundation | Master’s-specific focus + strong funding emphasis |
| Career change/social impact | ProFellow + Ashoka | MastersPortal, Mastercard Foundation | Both explicitly value career pivots and impact focus |
| Budget-conscious (checking all options) | Government portal + African Union | Mastercard Foundation, University offices | Free, locally-tailored, less competition |
| Within-Africa study | African Union + Government portal | MastersPortal | Africa-focused funding + regional partnerships |
| Supplementary browsing | FastWeb or Scholarship.com | Chances.com | Good for discovering unexpected opportunities |
| Risk-averse (scam prevention) | Chances.com + direct university contact | Mastercard Foundation, DAAD | High verification + trusted organizations |
Identifying Legitimate Platforms vs. Scams
Here’s where many students get burned: fake scholarship platforms designed to collect data and money from desperate applicants.
Real scholarship platforms share these characteristics:
✅ Legitimate Platforms:
- Free to search and view opportunities (premium features optional, not required)
- Clearly list scholarship sources and contact information
- Don’t require upfront fees to apply for scholarships
- Have transparent business models (advertising, partnerships, or investor-funded)
- Are operated by recognized organizations or verified companies
- Have publicly available contact information and customer support
- Show past scholarship winners or provide evidence of legitimacy
❌ Red Flag Warning Signs (Potential Scams):
- Guarantee you’ll win a scholarship (no one can guarantee this)
- Require upfront payment to access scholarships
- Promise “secret” scholarships unknown to others
- Use aggressive marketing (“Limited spots available!” “Apply now!”)
- Don’t clearly identify the scholarship sources
- Have no verifiable company information or contact details
- Show testimonials that look fabricated
- Use official-sounding names (e.g., “National Scholarship Foundation”) but aren’t affiliated with governments
How to verify a platform is real:
- Search “[Platform name] + reviews” on independent sites (Google Reviews, Trustpilot)
- Check if the organization appears in legitimate directories (Better Business Bureau, etc.)
- Verify that listed scholarships actually exist by checking scholarship sources directly
- Contact the platform’s customer support—real platforms respond quickly
- Confirm the company’s registration and business details
The good news: All 14 platforms above are legitimate. They’re all established, verifiable organizations. The problem is distinguishing them from dozens of lesser-known platforms that may not be worth your time.
How to Use These Platforms Strategically (The 3-Tier Approach)
Now you know what’s available. Here’s how to use these platforms without wasting 100 hours searching.
Tier 1: Your Priority Platforms (Start Here)
Spend 70% of your research time on these. They have the highest-quality fully funded opportunities and best filtering for adults.
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program – If you’re eligible (studying at partner institution), this is literally your best opportunity
- DAAD – If you’re considering German education
- Your Country’s Education Ministry Scholarship Portal – Local funding with less competition
- University Mature Student Offices – Direct contact with institutions offering funding
Time investment: 2–3 weeks total for thorough search
Tier 2: Supplementary Specialized Platforms (Spend Time Here)
These are worth exploring but secondary to Tier 1.
- MastersPortal – For graduate programs + integrated funding search
- Chevening (if you’re considering UK master’s)
- African Union Scholarship Portal – For within-Africa funding
- ProFellow (if development/social impact is your field)
Time investment: 1–2 weeks
Tier 3: General Browsing Platforms (Occasional Use)
Check these monthly but don’t invest heavy research time. They’re less likely to have ideal matches for you.
- FastWeb (scan occasionally for corporate/foundation scholarships)
- Scholarship.com (secondary browsing)
- Chances.com (if concerned about scams)
Time investment: 30 minutes/month
Red Flags in Scholarship Descriptions (How to Read Carefully)
Even on legitimate platforms, you need to read carefully. Platforms list scholarships as-is from sources; they don’t filter for what’s actually appropriate for you.
Phrases that mean “not for you” (adult applicants):
- “First-generation college student” (US-specific; excludes most internationals)
- “High school seniors” or “undergraduate college freshmen” (age-specific)
- “Under age 25” (explicitly excludes you)
- “US citizens” (most international scholarships exclude this)
- “Specific major within STEM” (too narrow unless that’s you)
- “Tuition only—student covers living costs” (not fully funded)
Phrases that mean “likely for you”:
- “Open to any field”
- “Work experience preferred” or “professionals welcome”
- “Full cost of attendance”
- “Mature students encouraged to apply”
- “Non-traditional students welcome”
- “International applicants eligible”
Example of misreading:
You find a scholarship on FastWeb titled “Full Scholarship—$50,000 Award!” Excited, you click. The description reads: “High school seniors from California interested in STEM.” Not for you. It took 2 minutes to identify—better to spend 2 minutes reading carefully than 4 weeks filling out an ineligible application.
The Reality of Fully Funded vs. Partially Funded on These Platforms
Here’s something important: not all opportunities called “fully funded” are actually fully funded—and not all platforms clearly distinguish.
Most platforms mix:
- Full scholarships (tuition + accommodation + living stipend + travel + books)
- Partial scholarships (tuition + some living costs)
- Tuition-only scholarships (you cover living costs)
- Grants (one-time or project-specific funding)
When you’re filtering on a platform, look for specific language:
Actually fully funded language:
- “Full cost of attendance”
- “Tuition + accommodation + living allowance”
- “[Specific amount] covers all program costs”
- “Tuition waived + monthly stipend”
Not actually fully funded:
- “Tuition waived” (living costs on you)
- “Up to $X per year” (vague; might be much less)
- “Partial scholarship; financial aid available” (you’re responsible for remainder)
How to verify: Click into the scholarship details. Read what’s specifically covered. If unclear, contact the scholarship provider directly before spending application time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to use scholarship platforms to search?
Yes, as long as you stick to established platforms (all 14 listed above are safe). The risk comes from lesser-known platforms asking for upfront fees. Legitimate platforms never charge to search or view scholarships. Be cautious of unfamiliar platforms promising “exclusive access” or “hidden scholarships.”
Which platform has the most fully funded scholarships for African students?
No single platform dominates. Mastercard Foundation has the most reliable fully funded opportunities (for eligible students). DAAD has extensive funding for African professionals. The African Union portal has substantial government-funded programs. Use multiple platforms—coverage differs significantly.
Do I need to use all 14 platforms?
No. Use Tiers 1 and 2 comprehensively; use Tier 3 occasionally. Most students find their funding through 3–4 well-chosen platforms rather than browsing all available options.
Can I apply to multiple scholarships simultaneously?
Yes, and you should. Apply to 8–12 opportunities if possible. Most scholarships allow you to pursue other funding simultaneously; just note that you can only accept one offer (choose carefully if you receive multiple awards).
How often should I check these platforms?
Tier 1 platforms: Weekly for new listings. Tier 2: Every 2 weeks. Tier 3: Monthly. Set phone reminders for application deadlines once you’ve identified opportunities.
What if no platforms list scholarships for my specific field?
Contact universities directly. Many institutions have field-specific funding not listed on general platforms. Reach out to department heads asking about scholarships for [your field] + [your country]. You’ll often discover opportunities others miss.
Your Action Plan: Start This Week
Don’t try to explore all 14 platforms at once. That’s how you get overwhelmed and do nothing.
Instead, follow this week-by-week plan:
Week 1: Identify Your Target Situation
- Decide: undergraduate or graduate? Which countries? Which fields?
- Contact your country’s education ministry and ask about official scholarships (5 minutes on phone)
- Make a list of 3–5 universities you’re genuinely interested in
Week 2: Search Tier 1 Platforms
- Visit Mastercard Foundation and confirm eligibility
- Explore DAAD if considering Germany
- Visit your government portal and note deadlines
- Email mature student offices at your target universities asking about funding
Week 3: Search Tier 2 Platforms
- Explore MastersPortal or FindAMasters (depending on your program level)
- Investigate relevant Tier 2 platforms for your situation
- Create a spreadsheet: Scholarship name | Deadline | Coverage | Eligibility
Week 4: Initial Browsing of Tier 3
- Spend 30 minutes on FastWeb or Scholarship.com
- Don’t get distracted; focus on scholarships matching your profile
- Add any promising opportunities to your spreadsheet
By the end of 4 weeks, you’ll have a curated list of 15–20 legitimate opportunities you actually qualify for. That’s your starting point for applications.
The Truth About Platform Effectiveness
Here’s honesty: no platform will hand you a fully funded scholarship. What these platforms do is eliminate the hardest part—finding opportunities you didn’t know existed.
The work—writing compelling essays, gathering documentation, getting strong references, positioning your story—that’s still on you. But platforms remove the guess work about where to look.
The most successful scholarship applicants don’t use one platform. They use several. They cross-reference. They dig deeper than the initial search results. They contact scholarship providers directly. They follow up on deadlines.
Platforms are tools. You’re the one who makes them work.
Frequently Asked Questions (Featured Snippet Format)
What’s the difference between FastWeb and Scholarship.com?
FastWeb has 700,000+ opportunities; Scholarship.com has similar scale. Both are US-focused. FastWeb has slightly better filtering for non-traditional students. For African international applicants seeking fully funded graduate funding, both are secondary to specialized platforms like MastersPortal or DAAD.
Which platform is best for African graduate students?
MastersPortal and DAAD are consistently best for African master’s students. Mastercard Foundation is best for those eligible at partner institutions. University mature student offices are underutilized but often offer best odds.
Can I find fully funded scholarships on FastWeb or Scholarship.com?
Yes, but it requires filtering carefully. Both platforms mix full, partial, and tuition-only scholarships. Search “full scholarship” or “full cost of attendance” and filter by postgraduate level and international eligibility. Expect fewer results than on specialized platforms.
Do African government scholarship portals actually work?
Yes. Many are underutilized because African students assume international platforms are better. National scholarships often have less competition and are designed specifically for your context. Worth investigating regardless of international platforms.
How do I know if a platform is reliable?
Check independent reviews (Google Reviews, Trustpilot). Verify the organization’s legal registration. Confirm listed scholarships actually exist by checking sources directly. Real platforms provide verifiable contact information and customer support.
Your Immediate Next Step
Stop reading. Open a new tab.
Go to one of these platforms right now:
- If you’re an African professional considering a master’s: Visit MastersPortal.com
- If you’re considering Germany: Visit DAAD
- If you’re exploring your options broadly: Visit your country’s education ministry website
Spend 20 minutes searching. Find one scholarship you actually qualify for. Add it to a spreadsheet.
That’s your starting point. One opportunity leads to another. One application gives you confidence to apply to more.
You’ve done the research. You know which platforms to trust. The only thing left is to start.
References & Resources
DAAD Official Scholarship Database – Largest bilateral scholarship funder globally; comprehensive filtering for African professionals seeking master’s degrees.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Directory – Explicitly supports African students; partner universities listed with application contacts and deadlines.