Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program – Graduate Application Process at UC Berkeley

Overview The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (MFSP) at the University of California, Berkeley supports African students pursuing eligible master’s degree programs of two years or less. Applicants must first be admitted to a qualifying UC Berkeley graduate program before they can be considered for the scholarship. Eligibility - Applicants must be citizens of an African country. - Only master’s degree programs are eligible; bachelor’s and doctoral programs are excluded. - The program funds only master’s programs that are two years or shorter; concurrent or dual‑degree programs are not eligible because they exceed this duration. - Applicants must apply to UC Berkeley through the regular graduate admissions process between September and early January. If a program has multiple admission rounds, only first‑round applicants (before January) are considered for the Scholars Program. - Specific eligible schools and programs are listed on the MFSP site (e.g., Haas MBA, School of Engineering M.Eng, College of Environmental Design MArch, School of Public Health MPH, etc.). - Applicants must meet the program’s broader eligibility goals related to motivation, career objectives, and alignment with the Foundation’s mission. Funding Opportunities - The Scholars Program may provide a limited number of graduate admission application fee waivers. African applicants who enter the names of at least two recommenders in the UC Berkeley online application by November 15 are invited to apply for the waiver; decisions are communicated before December 1. - For the Haas School of Business MBA, additional funding must be secured through Haas scholarships, which have their own Round One deadline. - The MFSP itself covers tuition, living expenses, and other support for selected scholars, but the exact amount and components are not detailed in the source. Key Deadlines - September – early January: UC Berkeley graduate admission deadlines (varies by program, most in December). - November 15: Deadline to be eligible for the MFSP admission fee waiver invitation. - Early December: Fee waiver decisions communicated. - February: Invited candidates complete a supplemental MFSP application. - March: Online interview invitations are sent. - Late March/Early April: Final scholarship decisions are communicated. Application Steps 1. Apply to the desired UC Berkeley master’s program through the standard admissions portal. 2. By November 15, ensure demographic information and at least two recommender names are entered to qualify for a fee‑waiver invitation. 3. Await fee‑waiver decision (by Dec 1) and, if granted, submit the waiver request. 4. If admitted to a qualifying program, await the MFSP supplemental application invitation (Feb). 5. Complete the supplemental application and any required essays or documents. 6. Participate in an online interview if selected (Mar). 7. Receive final scholarship decision (late Mar/early Apr). Unknowns and Source Limitations - The exact number of scholarships available each cycle is not disclosed. - Specific monetary values of the scholarship (tuition coverage, stipend amounts, health insurance, travel) are not provided. - The source does not list any changes that may have occurred after the 2023 informational webinar; deadlines or program eligibility could be updated. - No information is given about the selection criteria beyond eligibility (e.g., academic thresholds, leadership experience). - The source does not confirm whether the fee‑waiver program is still active for the current admission cycle. - Details about post‑graduation obligations or reporting requirements for scholars are absent. Conclusion Prospective African graduate students interested in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley should first secure admission to an eligible master’s program, meet the November 15 fee‑waiver eligibility window, and follow the MFSP’s supplemental application timeline. Because the publicly available information may be incomplete or outdated, applicants are advised to verify current deadlines, eligibility lists, and funding details directly with the program’s official contacts. Source: https://mcfscholarsprogram.berkeley.edu/graduate-application-process Checked: 2026-10-12T09:48:35.743550+00:00 Confirm details with the official institution before applying.