Yale Young African Scholars 2027 (No Tuition Costs)
Yale Young African Scholars 2027 is an academic and enrichment programme for African secondary school students who plan to pursue tertiary education and develop as young leaders. YYAS will offer a six-day online College Prep Workshop and a nine-day Residential Leadership Summit in Rwanda. There are no tuition costs for participation in either programme.
Quick Overview
Programme: Yale Young African Scholars 2027
Opportunity Type: Academic and Enrichment Programme
Target Group: African secondary school students planning to pursue tertiary education
Programme Formats: Online and Residential
Online Programme Dates: 15–20 July 2027
Residential Programme Dates: 7–15 August 2027
Residential Location: Rwanda
Tuition: No tuition costs for either programme
About Yale Young African Scholars 2027
Yale Young African Scholars is designed for African secondary school students who plan to continue to tertiary education and want to make a meaningful impact as young leaders on the continent.
Across both 2027 programme options, participants will strengthen their academic skills, receive guidance on university admissions and financial aid applications, and become part of a network of young leaders from across Africa.
Students may attend only one YYAS session. However, they can indicate their preferred programme option or options on the YYAS application form.
Also read: Leading for Humanity 2027 in South Africa (Fully Funded Residential Programme)
YYAS Online College Prep Workshop
The online College Prep Workshop will admit approximately 240 students and is open to students across all countries in Africa.
The programme will run for six days:
15–20 July 2027
Participants must have access to Zoom through their own mobile phone, tablet, or computer, together with reliable internet throughout the programme.
The workshop focuses on:
• Career exploration
• Preparing for the university application process
• Transitioning from secondary school to university
Attendance requirements are strict, and students cannot miss a programme day.
Students who successfully complete the workshop receive a PDF YYAS Certificate of Completion that can be added to college and university applications.
✓ No tuition costs
✓ Entirely free of charge
✓ Online participation
✓ Certificate of Completion for successful participants
YYAS Residential Leadership Summit in Rwanda
The Residential Leadership Summit will admit approximately 110 students and is open to students across all countries in Africa.
The nine-day programme will take place in Rwanda from:
7–15 August 2027
Participants will live on a residential school campus during the programme.
The Summit covers the same college-preparation topics as the online workshop and adds learning focused on:
• Leadership
• Innovation
• Design
• 21st-century skills
Students who successfully complete the Summit also receive a PDF YYAS Certificate of Completion.
Check: CyprusAid Scholarship 2027 at University of Nicosia (Fully Funded)
Residential Programme Support
The Residential Leadership Summit is tuition-free.
Confirmed support for all residential participants includes:
✓ $0 tuition
✓ Housing
✓ Meals
✓ Academic curriculum materials
Travel arrangements are handled separately from the programme’s tuition and residential support.
Travel Grants for the Residential Summit
Students attending the Residential Leadership Summit must be able to travel to and from the host country.
Participants are responsible for coordinating and paying or fundraising for required travel documentation, including documents such as passports and travel visas.
A limited number of need-based Travel Grants are available for students who:
• Receive an offer of admission to the Residential Leadership Summit
• Live outside the host country
All applicants are automatically reviewed for Travel Grant eligibility.
Each Residential Leadership Summit admission offer will state whether the student has received a Travel Grant. Students and their families can then decide whether to accept or decline the admission offer.
Students who do not receive or qualify for a Travel Grant must arrange and pay or fundraise for their own transportation expenses.
Explore: JET Programme 2027 Applications for Australian Citizens
Who the Programme Is Designed For
YYAS is designed for African secondary school students who:
• Plan to pursue tertiary education
• Want to strengthen their academic skills
• Want guidance on university admission and financial aid applications
• Want to develop as young leaders on the African continent
The admissions committee gives preference to high-achieving, low-income students who do not have university guidance available through their schools or communities.
Eligible students are encouraged to apply.
Choosing a 2027 YYAS Programme
Students can indicate their preferred session or sessions on the YYAS application form.
However, each student may ultimately attend only one of the two programme options:
• YYAS Online College Prep Workshop
• YYAS Residential Leadership Summit in Rwanda
Applicants should consider the different formats, dates, attendance requirements, internet requirements for the online programme, and travel responsibilities for the residential programme when indicating their preference.
Official Link
Review the official programme details provided by Yale Young African Scholars.
