Yale Young African Scholars 2027 – Tuition-Free Program
The Yale Young African Scholars 2027 programme is an academic and enrichment opportunity for African secondary school students planning to pursue tertiary education. 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 either programme, and applications for 2027 are currently open.
Quick Overview
Programme: Yale Young African Scholars (YYAS)
Opportunity Type: Academic and Enrichment Programme
Eligibility: African secondary school students
Programme Formats: Online and Residential
Online Programme Dates: 15–20 July 2027
Residential Programme Dates: 7–15 August 2027
Residential Location: Rwanda
Regular Decision Deadline: 20 January 2027 at 11:59 PM ET
About Yale Young African Scholars 2027
Yale Young African Scholars is designed for African secondary school students who intend to pursue tertiary education and want to develop as young leaders on the continent.
Participants strengthen their academic skills, receive guidance on university admissions and financial aid applications, and join a network of young leaders from across Africa.
Students can attend only one YYAS session. However, applicants may indicate their preferred session or sessions on the application form.
YYAS gives preference to high-achieving, low-income students who do not have access to university guidance in their schools or communities.
2027 Programme Options
YYAS will offer two programme formats in 2027.
Online College Prep Workshop
The six-day Online College Prep Workshop will run from:
15–20 July 2027
Approximately 240 students are expected to be admitted.
The online programme is open to students across all countries in Africa. Participants need access to Zoom through a mobile phone, tablet, or computer and reliable internet throughout the programme.
The workshop focuses on:
• Career exploration
• Preparing for the university application process
• Transitioning from secondary school to university
Students who successfully complete the programme receive a PDF YYAS Certificate of Completion.
The Online College Prep Workshop is entirely free of charge.
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Residential Leadership Summit in Rwanda
The nine-day Residential Leadership Summit will take place in Rwanda from:
7–15 August 2027
Approximately 110 students are expected to be admitted.
Participants will live on a residential school campus during the programme. The Summit covers the same college-preparation themes as the online workshop while also focusing on:
• Leadership
• Innovation
• Design
• 21st-century skills
Successful participants receive a PDF YYAS Certificate of Completion.
Programme Costs and Financial Support
There are no tuition costs for participation in either 2027 YYAS programme.
For students admitted to the Residential Leadership Summit, YYAS provides:
✓ Free housing
✓ Meals
✓ All academic curriculum materials
✓ Tuition-free participation
A limited number of need-based Travel Grants are available for admitted students who live outside the host country.
All applicants are automatically considered for Travel Grant eligibility. Students receiving Residential Summit admission offers will also be informed whether they have received a Travel Grant.
Students who do not receive a Travel Grant must arrange and pay or fundraise for their transportation.
Participants are also responsible for coordinating and funding required travel documents, including passports and travel visas where applicable.
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Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet all YYAS eligibility requirements.
Candidates must:
• Be between 14 and 18 years old on the first day of the programme, 15 July 2027.
• Be able to participate in a rigorous academic curriculum conducted in English.
• Be a citizen or permanent resident of an African country, or a refugee living in an African country.
• Currently attend school in an African country.
• Be a current 10th or 11th grade student, or the international equivalent.
Students attending school in the Northern Hemisphere must expect to graduate from secondary school no earlier than May/June 2028 and no later than May/June 2029.
Students attending school in the Southern Hemisphere must expect to graduate no earlier than November/December 2027 and no later than November/December 2028.
Students already in their final year or term of secondary school, students who have already graduated, and university students are not eligible.
Previous YYAS or Yale Young Global Scholars alumni cannot reapply to YYAS.
Required Application Components
YYAS lists three main required application components.
Completed Application Form
Applicants must complete the application themselves.
The form includes:
• One 400-word essay
• Two short responses
• Information about extracurricular activities
• Information about the applicant’s current school
Official Transcript or Grade Reports
Applicants must upload official transcripts or grade reports for each year of secondary school.
This generally corresponds to the international equivalent of grades 9, 10, and 11.
Students who have attended more than one secondary school must provide records from both their previous and current schools.
National examination scores may also be submitted when available, but they are not required.
Teacher Recommendation
Applicants must provide one teacher recommendation.
The recommendation is submitted through the official Online Recommendation Form sent directly to the teacher after the applicant provides the teacher’s contact information.
The recommendation must come from a teacher who knows the student well.
Recommendations from parents, guardians, siblings, relatives, family friends, or paid private tutors and counsellors are not accepted.
How Applications Are Reviewed
YYAS reviews applications holistically.
There are no minimum grade or standardized examination score requirements. However, applicants are expected to have a high level of English proficiency.
A typical YYAS participant demonstrates qualities including:
• Strong academic performance
• Leadership potential
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Ability to work cooperatively with peers
• Persistence when facing challenges
• Maturity and strong personal conduct
Preference is given to high-achieving, low-income applicants who have limited access to university guidance.
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Application Process
Applications are submitted through the official Yale application portal.
Applicants should:
• Review all YYAS eligibility requirements.
• Review the required application components.
• Use the sample application to prepare answers in advance.
• Collect the required parent or guardian, teacher, and school contact information.
• Create an account on the official application portal.
• Complete all required application sections.
• Upload the required academic records.
• Provide the teacher’s information for the recommendation form.
• Review the application for missing components.
• Submit the completed application online.
Applicants should check their email after submission for a confirmation receipt.
YYAS accepts applications only through its online application system.
Important Dates
Early Action
Application Deadline: 20 October 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
Admission Decision: By 18 December 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
Offer Acceptance Deadline: 5 January 2027 at 11:59 PM ET
Regular Decision
Application Deadline: 20 January 2027 at 11:59 PM ET
Admission Decision: By 20 March 2027 at 11:59 PM ET
Offer Acceptance Deadline: 25 March 2027 at 11:59 PM ET
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, but admissions decisions are released only after all applications in the relevant applicant pool have been reviewed.
Application Deadline
The Early Action deadline for Yale Young African Scholars 2027 is:
20 October 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
The final Regular Decision deadline is:
20 January 2027 at 11:59 PM ET
Official Link
Submit your application through the official application portal below.
