Applications are now open for the 2027 Yale Young African Scholars Program. Yale Young African Scholars (YYAS) is an intensive academic and enrichment program designed for African secondary school students who plan to pursue tertiary education and wish to make meaningful impact as young leaders on the continent.
Across both programs, participants will enhance their academic skills, receive university admission and financial aid application guidance, and join a network of young leaders from across Africa. Students may attend only one session, but they can indicate their prefered session(s) on the YYAS application form.
This is the breakdown of the program:
In 2027, YYAS will offer an online program option and a residential program option. There are no tuition costs for participation in either program.
YYAS College Prep Workshop (online): The YYAS College Prep Workshop will offer admission to ~240 students, and is open to students across all countries in Africa. To participate, students must be able to access Zoom on their own mobile phone, tablet, and/or computer with reliable internet for the duration of the program. The YYAS College Prep Workshop (online) is entirely free of charge.
YYAS Residential Leadership Summit: The YYAS Residential Leadership Summit will offer admission to ~110 students, and is open to students across all countries in Africa. Students will reside on a residential school campus for nine (9) days. The program will focus on the same college prep topics as the online workshop in addition to leadership, innovation, design, and 21st century skills. The YYAS Summit is tuition-free ($0) and provides free housing, meals, and all academic curriculum materials to all participants.
TRAVEL: For the YYAS Summit, all students must be able to travel to and from the host country, and all students will coordinate and pay/fundraise for any required travel documentation (such as passport, travel visa, etc.).
Kindly note that 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.
To be eligible for this program, a typical YYAS participant has:
- Excellent academic records
- Demonstrated leadership potential
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- A desire and ability to work cooperatively with peers
- Persistence and determination when facing challenges
- High standards of personal and professional conduct
- The ability to read, analyze, and reflect on large quantities of difficult material in English
- Demonstrated maturity and interest in engaging in discussions about intellectual, moral, and political issues in Africa
Applications are open with two deadlines: for the early action, the deadline is October 20, 2026, while for the regular decision, the deadline to apply is January 20, 2027.
Click the link below to apply
https://africanscholars.yale.edu/overview
Author
Paul Olayioye
